An addon domain lets you run another website through your existing cPanel hosting. You assign it a separate website directory, known as its document root.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to customers whose hosting is managed on the new Webland platform (WHMCS) and whose hosting plan includes cPanel.
Essential Hosting without cPanel: Use the guide for adding additional domains in Essential Hosting.
Previous platform using System Configurator or Domain Manager: Sign in at classic.webland.ch. The steps below do not apply to that platform.
Important information
Adding a domain in cPanel does not register it. The domain must already be registered. This process does not initiate a domain transfer either.
A separate website needs its own document root.
The domain’s DNS must point to your hosting before visitors can reach the website.
All websites within the same cPanel account share the hosting plan’s resources and limits.
Requirements
Before you begin, make sure you:
Have access to your cPanel hosting service.
Have a hosting plan that supports addon domains and sufficient remaining domain quota.
Own the domain or are authorised to manage it.
Have access to the domain’s DNS management.
Step 1: Sign in to cPanel
Find your hosting service in the active services overview in the client area.
Click “Log in to cPanel”.
You will be signed in to cPanel automatically.
Step 2: Open domain management
Open the “Domains” section in cPanel.
Click “Domains”.
Select “Create A New Domain”.
Step 3: Set the domain and its website directory
Select “Registered Domain” if this choice is displayed.
Enter the domain name in “Domain”, for example
example.com. Do not enter a complete website address containinghttps://or a directory path.Clear the “Share document root” checkbox.
Check the suggested “Document Root” and adjust it if necessary. An example is
public_html/example.com.If a “Subdomain” field appears, check its automatically suggested value. You can normally keep the suggestion.
cPanel uses the associated subdomain for its technical configuration. Visitors can access the additional website using the domain name you entered.
Important: If “Share document root” remains selected, the domain uses the main domain’s website directory and displays the same content.
Step 4: Add the domain
Check the domain name and document root.
Click “Submit”.
Wait for confirmation.
The additional domain then appears in the domain overview. Check its assigned Document Root again.
Step 5: Check DNS configuration
The domain’s DNS records must point to the correct hosting for it to display your new website.
You can either:
Use the nameservers provided by Webland for your hosting service.
Or update the required website records at your existing DNS provider.
You can usually find your cPanel hosting’s IP address under “General Information” on the cPanel homepage, labelled “Shared IP Address” or “Dedicated IP Address”.
Also check DNS for www if you want to use that address. If the domain uses external nameservers, make the changes at the responsible DNS provider.
When changing nameservers, ensure that required DNS records, particularly email records, also exist at the new provider.
DNS changes become visible at different times. Allow up to 24–48 hours; this is not a guaranteed waiting period.
Step 6: Add website files and test
Open the new domain’s document root in File Manager.
Upload your website files or install your chosen website system there.
Open the domain in your browser.
For HTTPS access, check that a valid SSL certificate covers the domain.
Adding the domain alone does not create a finished website.
Troubleshooting
The domain cannot be added
Check the spelling, your domain quota and the exact error message. The domain may already exist on the server. Depending on the server configuration, missing DNS configuration may also prevent it from being added. Contact Webland Support if you are unsure.
The domain displays my main website
Check whether “Share document root” was selected or both domains use the same directory.
The domain does not display a website
Check DNS and the document root. Make sure all website files are present, including an appropriate index file such as index.html or index.php.
The domain is reachable, but HTTPS displays a warning
Check the certificate under “SSL/TLS Status”. Contact Webland Support if no valid certificate is available for the domain.