In cPanel, you can add additional domains to your hosting package. It is crucial whether the new domain should have its own website or display the same content as your main domain.
This is precisely the difference between a Addon Domain and one Alias domain. What is crucial is the so-called Document Root.
What is the document root? #
The Document Root is the directory on your hosting from which a domain's website files are loaded.
When a visitor accesses your website, the web server looks in this directory for, for example, a index.php, index.html or the files of your WordPress installation.
For the main domain, this directory is often located under:
public_html/An additional domain can either use the same document root as your main domain or be given its own directory.
Note: If you select the option when creating a domain „Share document root with main domain“ left active, the additional domain uses the same website files as your main domain. If you disable the option, the domain gets its own document root.
What is an addon domain? #
A Addon Domain is an additional domain under which you can run an independent website within your hosting package.
Example: Your main domain is meinefirma.ch. Additionally, you would like to under meinprojekt.ch run a completely separate website. Then you use for meinprojekt.ch its own document root.
An addon domain is suitable, for example, for:
- a second independent website
- a separate WordPress installation
- a new project or an own brand
- a website with custom files and content
What is an alias domain? #
A Alias domain uses the same document root as your main domain and therefore basically displays the same website content.
This is useful, for example, if you in addition to meinefirma.ch additionally mycompany.com owns and both domains should use the same website.
An alias domain is suitable, for example, for:
- alternative spellings of your domain
- other domain extensions like .com or .de
- additional domains to protect a brand
- Domains that are supposed to use the same website content
Important: An alias domain is not automatically the same as a redirection. For example, if visitors from mycompany.com automatically to meinefirma.ch you must also set up a corresponding redirect.
Comparison of Addon Domain and Alias Domain #
| Criterion | Addon Domain | Alias domain |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Own website | Same website under additional domain |
| Document Root | Custom directory | Shared directory |
| Website content | Independent | Identical to the main website |
| Example | meinprojekt.ch with own website | mycompany.com with the same content as meinefirma.ch |
Create an Addon Domain in cPanel #
- Log in to cPanel a.
- Open the section „Domains“.
- Click on „Create new domain“ or rather. „Create A New Domain“.
- Enter the desired domain, for example
meinprojekt.ch. - Disable the option „Share document root with main domain“.
- Check the proposed directory for the domain.
- Create the domain.
The new domain will then have its own directory. You can place your website files there or install WordPress, for example.
Create alias domain in cPanel #
- Log in to cPanel a.
- Open the section „Domains“.
- Click on „Create new domain“.
- Enter the additional domain.
- Leave the option „Share document root with main domain“ Activated.
- Create the domain.
Then check whether the additional domain calls up the desired content of your main website.
If visitors should automatically switch to your preferred primary domain, also set up a permanent redirection to this domain.
DNS and SSL must also be correct #
Just adding a domain in cPanel is not enough. The domain must point to the correct hosting server via DNS. For this, the nameservers or corresponding DNS records must be configured correctly.
After DNS changes, it can take some time for the new settings to take effect everywhere.
Also check if a valid SSL certificate is available for the additional domain before you enforce HTTPS for the domain.
Which variant should you choose? #
Before adding a domain, ask yourself a simple question:
Should the additional domain have its own website?
- Yes: Use a separate document root for a standalone website.
- No: Share the document root with your main domain or set up a redirection to the desired main domain.
