How to Add an Addon Domain in cPanel via the Client Area

Introduction
An addon domain allows you to host multiple websites on a single hosting account, each with its own domain name. Adding an addon domain via the client area makes this process easier, as you can access cPanel without needing to remember additional login details. In this guide, we’ll show you how to add an addon domain to your hosting account using cPanel via the client area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to Your Client Area
   To begin, log into your client area (such as WHMCS) using the following steps:

   • Visit your client area.
   • Enter your email address and password, and click "Login".

2. Navigate to Your Services
   Once logged in, find the "Services" or "My Products & Services" section.

   • Select the hosting package where you want to add the addon domain by clicking on it.

3. Access cPanel via the Client Area
   On the service details page, locate and click the "Login to cPanel" button to automatically log into your cPanel account.

4. Navigate to the Addon Domains Section in cPanel
   Once you’re in cPanel:

   • Scroll down to the Domains section.
   • Click on "Addon Domains".

5. Enter Addon Domain Information
   In the Addon Domains section, you’ll need to fill out the following fields:

   • New Domain Name: Enter the new domain name you want to add (e.g., newdomain.com).
   • Subdomain: This will be automatically filled based on the domain name you entered. You can leave it as is.
   • Document Root: This is the directory where files for this new domain will be stored. By default, it will be set as /public_html/newdomain.com. You can change it if you prefer a different directory structure.

6. Create an FTP Account (Optional)
   If you want to create an FTP account for the addon domain:

   • Tick the checkbox labeled "Create an FTP account associated with this Addon Domain".
   • Enter a username and password for the FTP account, and specify the FTP account's directory.

7. Click Add Domain
   After entering all the details, click the "Add Domain" button to finalize the setup.

Configuring DNS for Your Addon Domain

After adding the addon domain in cPanel, you'll need to point the domain’s DNS records to your hosting account’s nameservers. To do this:

• Login to your domain registrar’s account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
• Find the DNS settings for your domain.
• Update the nameservers to match the ones provided by your hosting provider. These can typically be found in your account information or hosting setup emails.

Once the DNS changes are made, it can take up to 24-48 hours for DNS propagation to complete, although it’s often much faster.

Common Issues

1. Addon Domain Limit Reached
   If you’re unable to add an addon domain, it could be because your hosting plan limits the number of addon domains allowed. In this case, you can:

   • Upgrade your hosting plan to allow more addon domains, or
   • Remove an existing addon domain if you no longer need it.

2. Domain Name Already Exists
   If you receive an error saying "Domain already exists in the system," it’s possible that the domain is already associated with your hosting account as a parked domain, subdomain, or addon domain. You’ll need to remove any existing associations before re-adding it as an addon domain.

3. Incorrect Document Root
   If your website isn’t displaying correctly after adding the addon domain, double-check the document root. Ensure that you’ve uploaded the website’s files to the correct directory (usually /public_html/newdomain.com).

4. DNS Not Propagating
   If you’ve updated the DNS but your site is still not resolving, it might be due to DNS propagation delays. This can take up to 48 hours, but you can use tools like whatsmydns.net to check the current status.

Advantages of Using Addon Domains

• Cost-Effective: Host multiple websites on a single hosting account without needing to purchase additional hosting plans.
• Separate Websites: Each addon domain operates independently, allowing you to have different websites, emails, and databases for each domain.
• Easy Management: Manage all of your websites under one cPanel account, streamlining maintenance and updates.

By following these steps, you can easily add addon domains to your hosting account via cPanel, accessed through the Client Area. Should you encounter any issues or have questions, our support team is always available to assist you.