This procedure adds a domain you manage to cPanel hosting when your service allows it. Options may vary with enabled features. To choose between a separate website, an alias and a subdomain, first read our guide to understanding domains, aliases and subdomains.
Prepare the addition
- Check that the independent domain is registered and that you can arrange DNS changes. For a subdomain, you need control of its parent domain.
- Identify where DNS is managed and where email is hosted. Adding the domain in cPanel does not, by itself, justify changing nameservers.
- Choose the folder intended for the website. If you are moving an existing site, keep a backup of its files and databases before changing its installation.
Add the domain in cPanel
- Open cPanel through your usual access route, then select Domains and Create a New Domain.
- If a domain-type choice appears, select Registered domain for the registered name. Enter a name such as
example.comorshop.example.com, without a protocol or page path. - For a separate website, clear Share document root and check the proposed Document Root folder. To share the listed domain’s content, keep that option selected.
- Check the name and folder before selecting Submit. Confirm that they appear in the domain list.
Sharing the document root determines which content appears, so choose carefully. If an expected option is missing, ask us to check what your service supports. Do not remove an existing domain to get around an error message.
Connect the site and verify the result
- Files: place the site in the folder listed for this domain. Adding a domain does not copy an existing website. Changing its document root later does not move files automatically.
- DNS: use the values confirmed for your hosting account, in the correct DNS service. Before changing records, follow our guide to plan a DNS change while preserving existing email.
- Website and certificate: check the domain and the variants you use, such as
www. Review SSL/TLS Status if available. AutoSSL requires the feature to be enabled and validation to succeed; adding a domain does not guarantee an immediately available certificate. - Going live: check that the correct website works over HTTPS before forcing an HTTPS redirect. Also test sending and receiving email if DNS changed.
If the domain shows the wrong website, a certificate error or an unexpected result, record the exact address and message. Our team can help check the folder, DNS and configuration through your Client Area. You do not need to include your password in the request.
Official cPanel documentation: Domains, adding a domain, managing its document root and SSL/TLS status.
