Welcome to MonsterMegs! This guide explains how to add a new domain to your cPanel account, enabling you to host multiple websites or applications with ease. Before proceeding, you'll need to ensure you've already registered the domain name you want to add and updated its nameservers to point to MonsterMegs' servers.
Prerequisites:
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You must have an active cPanel hosting account with MonsterMegs.
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You must own a registered domain name.
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You need to know your MonsterMegs nameservers. You can find them here: What are the nameservers that I can use for my account?
Steps:
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Log in to Your MonsterMegs cPanel Account:
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Open your web browser and go to your cPanel login URL. This is usually yourdomain.com/cpanel, or a similar address provided in your MonsterMegs welcome email.
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Enter your cPanel username and password.
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Navigate to the "Domains" Section:
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Once logged in, locate the "Domains" section. It’s a common feature in cPanel and should be visible on the main interface.
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Click on the "Domains" icon.
[image of cpanel domains section]
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Click "Create A New Domain":
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Once in the domains interface, click on the "Create a New Domain" button.
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Enter the New Domain Name:
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In the "Domain" field, type the domain name you wish to add, without the www. prefix. Example: example.com.
[image of cpanel create a new domain fields]
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Document Root (Choose carefully):
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Create a new directory for the domain: This is the recommended approach. A new folder within your cPanel account will be created to store the website files for this domain. cPanel will suggest a directory name, often based on your domain name (e.g., /example.com). You can usually accept the default suggestion.
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Share document root with another domain: Use with caution! This allows the new domain to use the same files as another domain. This is primarily for creating subdomains.
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Choose the desired option from the dropdown.
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Submit the form:
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To finish creating the new domain, click the "Submit" button.
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The domain creation process may take a few moments. Once complete, you will see a confirmation message.
[image of success message]
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DNS Propagation:
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After adding the domain, it will take time (usually 24-48 hours) for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet. During this time, some visitors might still see your old website (if any) or an error page when accessing the new domain.
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Important Considerations and Troubleshooting:
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Nameservers: Double-check that your domain's nameservers are pointed to the MonsterMegs nameservers listed here: What are the nameservers that I can use for my account?. Incorrect nameservers are the most frequent cause of issues. You can manage nameservers through your domain registrar's website.
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Domain Already Exists: If you get an error message saying the domain already exists, it might be under a different cPanel account or as an alias. Contact our MonsterMegs support team for assistance; we're here to help!
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SSL Certificates: After the domain is set up, install an SSL certificate for HTTPS (secure browsing). cPanel offers free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt. Look for the "SSL/TLS Status" option in cPanel.
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Subdomains: To create a subdomain (e.g., blog.example.com), use the "Subdomains" feature in cPanel. The process differs slightly from adding a new domain.
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"Addon" vs. "Parked" Domains: The "Domains" section in cPanel offers "Addon Domains" and "Parked Domains" (also called "Aliases"). In general, use "Create a New Domain" (addon domain) for hosting a separate website. Parked domains simply redirect to the same content as another domain.
Conclusion:
Adding a domain to your MonsterMegs cPanel account is a simple process. By following these steps and taking note of the important considerations, you'll be able to host multiple websites effectively. If you have any questions or need help, our MonsterMegs support team is always ready to assist! Just reach out through our support portal. We appreciate you choosing MonsterMegs for your hosting needs!
