How to Add an Addon Domain in cPanel Print

How to Add an Addon Domain in cPanel

If you're managing more than one website, using an addon domain is a straightforward and cost-effective way to host them under a single cPanel account. At Vivint Host, we make it easy for you to expand your web presence while maintaining performance, security, and control.

Here’s how to properly set up an addon domain from inside your cPanel.

Adding an Addon Domain

1. Log in to your cPanel account: Use your Vivint Host credentials to access the cPanel dashboard.
2. Navigate to the ‘Domains’ section: Click on the “Domains” icon.

1. Create A New Domain: Click the ‘Create A New Domain’ button.

Enter the domain name you wish to add: In the Domain field, type in the full domain name (e.g., example.com).

1. Deselect the shared root option: Deselect the "Share document root (/home/username/public_html) with “domain.tld”." option.
2. Set the directory path: Choose or confirm the folder where the new domain’s files will live (e.g., /home/username/example.com). This keeps your sites organized and secure.
3. Submit: Click ‘Submit’ to finish.

Update Your DNS

Once the domain is added in cPanel, go to your domain registrar and point the nameservers to Vivint Host. If you’ve registered the domain through us, it may already be set up correctly.

Important Considerations Before Using Addon Domains

Using addon domains is ideal for personal projects, secondary websites, or development environments. But there are a few key things to keep in mind:

All sites share the same cPanel login: If you're hosting a site for someone else, they’ll have access to everything inside that cPanel account. There’s currently no way to create multiple admin-level logins for separate domains.

Security is shared across domains: If you're running content management systems like WordPress, every theme, plugin, and core update matters. One outdated component can put every website in the account at risk.

Pro Tip: Keep all CMS platforms updated regularly. One weak link-like an old plugin-can expose your entire cPanel to attacks.

Need Help?

We strongly recommend maintaining regular updates and security checks. The Vivint Host support team is here for you-24/7 to guide you through any issues, we’re just a message away.