How to Add a Domain in cPanel

Introduction

If you have multi-domain hosting, you can add more than one domain within the same cPanel account. This lets you host another independent website, install WordPress on an additional domain, or set up a new project without purchasing a separate hosting account for each case.

In this guide we explain how to add a domain in cPanel step by step, which option you need to check so it gets its own folder, and what to check if the domain doesn’t work after creating it.

Video tutorial

Before you start

Before adding the domain in cPanel, check these points:

• The domain must already be registered. cPanel isn’t used to register, renew, or transfer domains.
• Your hosting plan must allow additional or multi-domain hosting.
• The domain must point to the hosting through the correct DNS or the necessary DNS records.
• You need access to cPanel.
• Don’t type https://, http://, or www in the domain field. Type only the domain, for example: mydomain.com.

If the domain is registered with miHosting.com, management is usually simpler because the domain and the hosting are within the same support environment.

Steps to add a domain in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel

Log in to your cPanel account from the miHosting.com client area or using your hosting’s cPanel access address.

You can also try accessing with a URL similar to this one, replacing the domain with yours:

https://yourdomain.com:2083

Always use the secure https access when it’s available.

2. Go to the “Domains” section

Once inside cPanel, look for the Domains section and click Domains.

In older versions of cPanel this feature could appear as Addon Domains. In current versions, it’s usually managed from the Domains section.

3. Click “Create A New Domain”

On the domains screen, click the Create A New Domain button.

4. Type the domain you want to add

In the Domain field, type the full domain, but without http://, without https://, and without www.

Correct example:

newdomain.com

Incorrect examples:

https://newdomain.com
www.newdomain.com

5. Decide whether it will be an independent website or an alias

This step matters.

If you want the added domain to have its own independent website, uncheck the option:

Share document root with...

Unchecking it lets cPanel define a folder of its own for that domain. That folder will be where you need to upload the files for the new website.

Example folder:

public_html/newdomain.com

If you leave Share document root checked, the new domain will share the same folder as the main domain. In practice, it will work as an alias and show the same website as the main domain.

6. Check the domain’s root folder

The root folder, also called the document root, is where cPanel will look for the website’s files.

For example, if the root folder is:

public_html/newdomain.com

That’s where you need to upload index.php, index.html, or install WordPress, PrestaShop, or another application.

Don’t change this folder unnecessarily. If you modify the root folder later, the website may stop loading if the files aren’t located at the new path.

7. Save the changes

Once you’ve reviewed the domain and the root folder, click Submit or Create, depending on your panel’s language.

If everything is correct, cPanel will add the domain to your hosting account.

8. Upload your website or install an application

After adding the domain, you can publish content in its corresponding folder.

You can do this in several ways:

• Upload files from cPanel’s File Manager.
• Upload the website via FTP.
• Install WordPress, PrestaShop, or another application if your service has an installer.
• Restore a backup of an existing website.

9. Check the domain’s DNS

Adding the domain in cPanel isn’t always enough for it to load on the internet. The domain also needs to point to the correct server.

If the domain is registered outside of miHosting.com, check that it has the DNS specified for your hosting service, or the correct DNS records, configured.

If you’ve just changed the DNS, propagation can take some time. During that period, it’s normal for the domain to work for some people and not yet for others.

10. Enable or check the SSL certificate

Once the domain is correctly pointing to the hosting, check that it has an active SSL certificate so it loads over https://.

If the certificate doesn’t show as valid yet, wait for the domain to resolve correctly to the server and check again from cPanel. If the problem continues, contact support to review the case.

Useful tips

• Use a clear folder for each domain, for example public_html/domain-name.com.
• Don’t mix files from several websites in the same folder if you want to keep them independent.
• If you’re going to install WordPress, make sure to do it in the correct folder for the added domain.
• Before moving files or changing the root folder, make a backup.
• If you’re going to host third-party or client websites, a reseller hosting plan may be more appropriate than combining everything in a single cPanel account.
• If your plan no longer allows adding more domains, check whether you need to upgrade the service or switch to a plan that better matches how you actually use your websites.

Common problems

The “Create A New Domain” button doesn’t appear

This can happen if your plan doesn’t allow adding additional domains or if the feature is disabled on your account. In that case, contact support to review your service’s features.

The added domain shows the same website as the main domain

You probably left the Share document root option checked. If you want the domain to have an independent website, it needs its own root folder.

Check the domain from cPanel’s Domains section and see which folder appears under Document Root.

The domain doesn’t load after adding it

The most common causes are:

• The domain still isn’t pointing to the correct DNS.
• DNS propagation hasn’t finished yet.
• There are no website files inside the domain’s root folder.
• The main file isn’t named index.php or index.html.
• The SSL certificate isn’t active yet.

I see “Index of /” when opening the domain

That message usually appears when the domain’s folder doesn’t have a main file, such as index.php or index.html.

Upload your website’s files or install an application in the corresponding root folder.

cPanel says I’ve reached the domain limit

Each plan can have its own features. If cPanel doesn’t let you add more domains, check your service’s limit or check with support about upgrading.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add any domain in cPanel?

You can add a domain as long as your plan allows it and the domain can correctly point to the server. The domain must already be registered.

Do I need to register the domain from cPanel?

No. cPanel lets you host and manage the domain within the hosting, but it isn’t used to register, renew, or transfer domains. That’s handled through the domain registrar, or from the client area if the domain is registered with miHosting.com.

Do I need to type the domain with www?

No. In the domain field, type only the main name, for example mydomain.com. Don’t type www.mydomain.com, http://mydomain.com, or https://mydomain.com.

What does “document root” mean?

The document root is the folder where the website’s files will be. If the domain has its own folder, it can show a different website from the main domain.

Can I create email accounts for the added domain?

Yes, once the domain is added in cPanel, you can create email accounts for that domain from the email section, as long as your service allows it.

Will the domain work right away?

It can work within a few minutes if it’s already pointing correctly to the server. If you’ve just changed the DNS, it can take longer due to DNS propagation.

Can I install WordPress on the added domain?

Yes. You just need to make sure you install WordPress in the correct root folder for the added domain.

Does adding an additional domain cost anything?

Adding a domain within cPanel isn’t the same as registering a new domain. If your plan allows multi-domain hosting, you can add it to the hosting according to your service’s features. Registering, renewing, or transferring the domain is handled separately.

Conclusion

Adding a domain in cPanel is a simple process, but it’s worth checking two things carefully: that the domain has its own folder if you want an independent website, and that the DNS is correctly pointing to the hosting.

After creating it, upload the website’s files, install the application you need, and check the SSL certificate. If the domain doesn’t load, check the DNS propagation, the root folder, and whether an index file exists.

If the problem continues after following these steps, contact miHosting.com support so we can review your domain and hosting account configuration.