An addon domain lets you host a completely separate website under a different domain name using your existing hosting account. Unlike subdomains, addon domains are independent—they can have their own website, email accounts, and DNS records. Here's how to set one up.
Steps to Add an Addon Domain
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- In the Domains section, click the Addon Domains icon.
- Click the Add a Domain button (or similar—some interfaces may vary).
- Enter the New Domain Name you want to add (e.g.,
example.com). Make sure you already own this domain and that it points to your hosting provider's nameservers.
- The Subdomain field will auto-fill based on your domain name; you can customize it if needed.
- Set the Document Root — the folder where this domain's files will be stored (e.g.,
public_html/example). You can accept the default or choose your own path.
- Click Add Domain to complete the setup.
After Adding the Addon Domain
- Point your domain: If you haven't already, update your domain's DNS records to point to your hosting provider's nameservers. Your provider will give you the correct nameserver addresses.
- Wait for propagation: DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate, though it's often much faster.
- Upload website files: Use FTP, SFTP, or your file manager to upload files to the domain's Document Root folder.
- Create email accounts: You can now create email addresses using this new domain (e.g.,
contact@example.com).
Tips & Notes
- Multiple addon domains: You can add as many addon domains as your hosting plan allows.
- Removing an addon domain: To delete an addon domain, return to the Addon Domains page and click Remove next to the domain.
- Existing domain: If you're pointing an existing domain you own, ensure it's registered and accessible before adding it.
After setup, visit your new domain in a browser to confirm it's pointing to the correct website files.