Domain Management with cPanel

Your domain name is your website's address on the internet, just like your street address is for your home. cPanel, your website's control panel, empowers you to manage your domain and its various configurations, ensuring your website functions flawlessly. This article explores adding and managing domains, setting up subdomains and redirects, and even editing crucial DNS records – all within the user-friendly cPanel interface.

Adding and Managing Domains in cPanel

Step 1: Log In to cPanel

1. Open your web browser and go to your cPanel login page (usually yourdomain.com/cpanel).
2. Enter your username and password, then click "Log In."

Step 2: Access the Domains Section

1. In the cPanel dashboard, navigate to the "Domains" section.
2. Click on "Addon Domains" if you want to add a new domain.

Step 3: Add a New Domain

1. In the "New Domain Name" field, enter the domain name you want to add.
2. The "Subdomain" and "Document Root" fields will auto-fill based on the domain name you entered. You can change these if needed.
3. Click "Add Domain."

Step 4: Manage Existing Domains

1. To manage existing domains, go back to the "Domains" section.
2. Click on "Addon Domains" or "Domains" to see a list of all your added domains.
3. Here, you can edit document roots, remove domains, or manage redirections.

How to Set Up Subdomains, Aliases, and Redirects

Step 1: Setting Up Subdomains

1. In the "Domains" section of cPanel, click on "Subdomains."
2. In the "Subdomain" field, enter the name of the subdomain you want to create.
3. Choose the domain you want to associate it with from the drop-down menu.
4. The "Document Root" will auto-fill. You can change this if you want the subdomain to point to a different directory.
5. Click "Create."

Step 2: Setting Up Aliases

1. In the "Domains" section of cPanel, click on "Aliases."
2. In the "Create a New Alias" field, enter the alias domain name.
3. Click "Add Domain."
4. The alias will now redirect to your primary domain.

Step 3: Setting Up Redirects

1. In the "Domains" section of cPanel, click on "Redirects."
2. Choose the type of redirect (Permanent or Temporary) from the drop-down menu.
3. In the "http://(www.)?" field, select the domain you want to redirect.
4. In the "Redirects to" field, enter the URL you want to redirect to.
5. Choose whether to redirect with or without www, and whether to include all files and directories.
6. Click "Add."

Managing DNS Records in cPanel

Step 1: Access the DNS Zone Editor

1. In the "Domains" section of cPanel, click on "Zone Editor."
2. Choose the domain you want to manage and click on "Manage."

Step 2: Add DNS Records

1. To add a new DNS record, click on the "Add Record" button.
2. Choose the type of DNS record you want to add (A, CNAME, MX, etc.).
3. Fill in the required fields:
   • Name: The domain or subdomain for the record.
   • TTL: Time to Live, usually set to 14400 seconds.
   • Type: The type of DNS record.
   • Record: The IP address or URL the record points to.
4. Click "Add Record."

Step 3: Edit Existing DNS Records

1. In the DNS Zone Editor, find the record you want to edit.
2. Click "Edit" next to the record.
3. Update the necessary fields and click "Save Record."

Step 4: Delete DNS Records

1. In the DNS Zone Editor, find the record you want to delete.
2. Click "Delete" next to the record.
3. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage domains, subdomains, aliases, redirects, and DNS records in cPanel, ensuring your website functions smoothly and efficiently.

Caution: While editing DNS records offers flexibility, it's essential to exercise caution. Incorrect configurations can disrupt website functionality or email delivery. If unsure about a specific record, consult your web hosting provider's support team.

By mastering domain management within cPanel, you gain control over your online presence. You can manage multiple domains, create subdomains for organization, utilize redirects strategically, and even fine-tune your DNS records for optimal website operation. This empowers you to build a robust and well-structured online identity.