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    Addon Domains

    Host multiple websites on one hosting account

    What is an Addon Domain?

    An addon domain is a fully functional domain that can be hosted on your account in addition to your primary domain. Each addon domain has its own separate content directory and can function as an entirely independent website.

    Addon Domain vs Other Domain Types

    Addon Domain

    • • Completely separate website
    • • Own directory and content
    • • Example: secondsite.com
    • • Can have separate email accounts

    Parked Domain (Alias)

    • • Points to same content as primary
    • • No separate directory
    • • Example: yoursite.net → yoursite.com
    • • Shares email with primary domain

    Subdomain

    • • Part of an existing domain
    • • Example: blog.yoursite.com
    • • Can have separate directory
    • • Part of parent domain

    Adding an Addon Domain

    Prerequisites

    • Own the domain name (registered)
    • Domain pointing to your nameservers
    • Sufficient addon domain allowance in hosting plan

    Step 1: Access Addon Domains

    1. Log in to cPanel
    2. Navigate to "Domains" section
    3. Click "Addon Domains"

    Step 2: Configure Addon Domain

    1. New Domain Name: Enter domain (e.g., secondsite.com)
    2. Subdomain: Auto-filled (usually same as domain)
    3. Document Root: Directory where files will be stored (e.g., public_html/secondsite.com)
    4. Create FTP Account: Optional - check to create FTP account for this domain

    Step 3: Add Domain

    1. Review settings
    2. Click "Add Domain"
    3. Wait for processing (usually instant)
    4. Success message confirms addition

    Domain Name Configuration

    Update Nameservers

    Point your domain to your hosting nameservers at your domain registrar:

    ns1.ramnode.com
ns2.ramnode.com

    DNS Propagation

    • Changes take 4-48 hours to propagate globally
    • Usually complete within 24 hours
    • Check status: whatsmydns.net

    Alternative: A Record Method

    If you want to keep nameservers at registrar:

    1. Find your server's IP address in cPanel
    2. At your registrar, create A record pointing to that IP
    3. @ or domain.com → your server IP
    4. www.domain.com → your server IP

    Directory Structure

    Default Structure

    public_html/                  (primary domain)
├── index.html                (main site)
├── secondsite.com/           (addon domain)
│   └── index.html            (addon site)
└── thirdsite.com/            (another addon)
    └── index.html

    Accessing Files

    • File Manager: Navigate to addon domain's directory
    • FTP: Connect and browse to domain folder
    • Upload: Place files in correct directory

    SSL Certificates for Addon Domains

    Free AutoSSL

    1. After adding addon domain, wait 24 hours
    2. AutoSSL automatically installs certificate
    3. Check in SSL/TLS Status in cPanel

    Let's Encrypt Manual

    1. Go to SSL/TLS
    2. Click "Manage SSL Sites"
    3. Select addon domain
    4. Install certificate

    Email Accounts for Addon Domains

    Creating Email

    1. Go to "Email Accounts" in cPanel
    2. Click "Create"
    3. Select addon domain from dropdown
    4. Enter email prefix (e.g., info)
    5. Set password and quota
    6. Click "Create"

    Result: Creates email like info@secondsite.com

    Common Issues and Solutions

    Domain Shows Default cPanel Page

    • • DNS hasn't propagated yet (wait 24 hours)
    • • No index file in document root (add index.html or index.php)
    • • Document root path is incorrect

    "Domain Already Exists"

    • • Domain is already added as addon, parked, or subdomain
    • • Check in Addon Domains, Parked Domains, and Subdomains
    • • Remove existing entry first

    Addon Limit Reached

    • • Your hosting plan has maximum addon domain limit
    • • Remove unused addon domains
    • • Upgrade hosting plan for more domains

    404 Errors

    • • Files not in correct directory
    • • Check document root path
    • • Verify files uploaded to right folder
    • • Check file permissions (755 for directories, 644 for files)

    Best Practices

    Organization

    • • Use clear, descriptive directory names
    • • Keep each site's files separate
    • • Document which domain uses which directory
    • • Regular backups of each addon domain

    Performance

    • • Don't exceed your hosting plan's resource limits
    • • Each addon domain shares resources with primary
    • • Monitor bandwidth and CPU usage
    • • Consider separate hosting if sites grow large

    Security

    • • Enable SSL for all addon domains
    • • Keep applications updated
    • • Use strong passwords
    • • Regular security scans

    Removing Addon Domain

    Warning: Removing addon domain will delete the subdomain but NOT the files in the directory. Files remain until manually deleted.