Setting Up Custom Domains in cPanel: A Simple Tutorial

Categories: cPanel

Having a custom domain name can make your website look more professional and help establish your brand online. With cPanel, setting up a custom domain is a straightforward process that requires just a few steps. In this tutorial, we will guide you through how to add a custom domain to your hosting account using cPanel.

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

The first step is to log in to your cPanel account. You can access cPanel by navigating to yourdomain.com/cpanel and entering your username and password. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see the cPanel dashboard.

Step 2: Locate the Domains Section

In the cPanel dashboard, scroll down to find the Domains section. This section contains all the tools you need to manage and add domains. To set up a custom domain, you can use the Addon Domains or Aliases features, depending on what you need.

Step 3: Add a Custom Domain

1. Addon Domains: If you want to host a completely separate website under your current hosting account, you should use the Addon Domains feature.

   • Click on Addon Domains.

   • Enter the new domain name you want to add (e.g., newdomain.com).

   • cPanel will automatically fill in the Subdomain and Document Root fields. The Document Root is the directory where files for the new domain will be stored.

   • Click Add Domain to finish the process.

2. Aliases: If you want your custom domain to point to your main website (for example, having multiple domain names that lead to the same site), use Aliases.

   • Click on Aliases.

   • Enter the domain name you want to use as an alias.

   • Click Add Domain to add it as an alias.

Step 4: Update DNS Settings

To connect your custom domain to your hosting, you’ll need to update the DNS settings with your domain registrar. Log in to the registrar where you purchased your domain and look for the DNS management section.

• Update the nameservers to match the ones provided by your hosting provider. Nameservers typically look like ns1.yourhostingprovider.com and ns2.yourhostingprovider.com.

• It may take 24-48 hours for the DNS changes to propagate fully, so be patient during this process.

Step 5: Upload Website Files

Once the custom domain has been added and the DNS has been updated, you can start uploading your website files.

• Go to File Manager in cPanel and locate the Document Root folder for your new domain.

• Upload your website files into this directory to make your new domain active.

Step 6: Set Up SSL for Your Custom Domain

To ensure your custom domain is secure, you should install an SSL certificate.

• In cPanel, navigate to the Security section and click on SSL/TLS.

• Use AutoSSL to automatically install a free SSL certificate for your new domain. This will encrypt data transmitted between your website and visitors, enhancing security and trust.

Step 7: Verify Domain Setup

After updating the DNS settings and uploading your website files, it’s time to verify that everything is working correctly.

• Open your browser and type in your custom domain name (e.g., newdomain.com).

• Make sure that your website loads correctly and displays the expected content.

If you encounter any issues, double-check your DNS settings, upload the correct files, and ensure that your hosting plan supports additional domains.

Conclusion

Setting up a custom domain in cPanel is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your website's professionalism and branding. By using the Addon Domains or Aliases features, updating your DNS settings, and securing your domain with an SSL certificate, you can quickly establish a strong online presence. Follow these steps to get your custom domain up and running smoothly.