How to Add a New Domain in cPanel (Addon Domain)

Adding an addon domain in cPanel allows you to host multiple domains on a single hosting account. Follow these steps to add a new domain to your cPanel account:

1. Log in to Your cPanel Account

• Access cPanel:
  Open your web browser and navigate to your cPanel login page (e.g., yourdomain.com/cpanel or cpanel.yourdomain.com).
• Sign In:
  Enter your cPanel username and password provided by your hosting provider.

2. Navigate to the Addon Domains Section

• Locate the Addon Domains Icon:
  In your cPanel dashboard, scroll down to the Domains section and click on Addon Domains.

3. Add the New Domain

• Domain Name:
  In the New Domain Name field, enter the domain you want to add (e.g., newdomain.com).
• Subdomain/FTP Username:
  cPanel will automatically create a subdomain and FTP account based on the domain name. You can modify these details if needed.
• Document Root:
  cPanel will set a default document root (e.g., /public_html/newdomain.com). This is the folder where your new domain’s files will be stored. You can change it if necessary.
• Password:
  Set a password for the FTP account associated with the addon domain. Alternatively, cPanel may auto-generate one for you—make sure to note it down.
• Create the Domain:
  Click the Add Domain button to complete the process.

4. Verify Your Addon Domain

• File Manager:
  Navigate to the File Manager in cPanel to see the new folder created for your addon domain in the document root (e.g., /public_html/newdomain.com).
• DNS Settings:
  Ensure that your new domain’s DNS records (particularly the A record) point to your hosting account’s IP address. This is usually handled automatically by your registrar if your nameservers are set correctly.
• Test the Domain:
  Open your browser and visit the new domain (e.g., http://newdomain.com) to confirm that it loads properly. At first, you might see a default index page or a blank page until you upload your website content.

Final Thoughts

Adding an addon domain in cPanel is a straightforward process that allows you to expand your online presence without needing a separate hosting account for each domain. Once added, you can upload your website files to the designated document root and manage the domain using cPanel’s robust tools.

Ready to host a new website? Follow these steps to add your addon domain and start building your online presence today!

How to Create Subdomains in cPanel

Creating subdomains in cPanel allows you to organize your website into distinct sections (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com) without purchasing new domains. Follow these steps to create subdomains:

1. Log in to Your cPanel Account

• Access cPanel:
  Open your web browser and navigate to your cPanel login page (e.g., yourdomain.com/cpanel or cpanel.yourdomain.com).
• Sign In:
  Enter your username and password provided by your hosting provider.

2. Locate the Subdomains Tool

• Find the Subdomains Icon:
  Scroll down to the Domains section of your cPanel dashboard.
• Click on Subdomains:
  Click the Subdomains icon to open the subdomain management interface.

3. Create a New Subdomain

• Enter Subdomain Name:
  In the Subdomains interface, type the desired subdomain prefix (e.g., blog for blog.yourdomain.com).
• Select the Domain:
  Choose the parent domain for which you want to create the subdomain from the dropdown menu.
• Document Root:
  cPanel will automatically generate a document root (e.g., /public_html/blog). You can modify this if needed.
• Add the Subdomain:
  Click the Create button to set up the new subdomain.

4. Verify Your Subdomain

• File Management:
  After creation, you’ll see a new folder in your File Manager corresponding to the subdomain’s document root.
• Test the Subdomain:
  Open your web browser and navigate to your new subdomain (e.g., http://blog.yourdomain.com) to ensure it’s working. If no content is present, you may see a default page or error message until you upload files.

5. Configure DNS Settings (If Needed)

• Automatic DNS Update:
  In most cases, cPanel automatically adds the necessary DNS records for your subdomain.
• Manual Adjustments:
  If needed, you can manage DNS records via the Zone Editor in cPanel to fine-tune settings.

Final Thoughts

Creating subdomains in cPanel is a quick and efficient way to expand your website’s structure. Whether you’re launching a blog, a shop, or a separate service, subdomains help organize content and keep your main domain uncluttered.

Ready to create your subdomain? Log in to cPanel, follow these steps, and start organizing your website into distinct, easily manageable sections!

How to Set Up cPanel Email in Gmail (POP/IMAP)

Integrating your cPanel email with Gmail lets you manage your messages from your custom domain within Gmail’s familiar interface. Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up your cPanel email account in Gmail using either POP or IMAP.

1. Gather Your Email Settings

Before you begin, make sure you have the following details from your cPanel:

• Email Address: Your full email address (e.g., user@yourdomain.com).
• Password: The password for your cPanel email account.
• Incoming Mail Server:
  • POP3: Usually mail.yourdomain.com (Port 110 for non-encrypted or 995 for SSL).
  • IMAP: Typically mail.yourdomain.com (Port 143 for non-encrypted or 993 for SSL).
• Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):
  • Usually mail.yourdomain.com (Port 25 or 587 for TLS, 465 for SSL).
• SSL Settings: Decide if you want to use secure connections (recommended).

2. Log in to Your Gmail Account

• Open Gmail in your web browser.
• Click the Gear Icon in the top-right corner and select “See all settings”.

3. Add Your cPanel Email Account (POP/IMAP)

a. For POP3 (Downloading Emails)

1. Navigate to Accounts and Import:
   • Go to the “Accounts and Import” tab.
2. Add a Mail Account:
   • In the “Check mail from other accounts” section, click “Add a mail account”.
3. Enter Your Email Address:
   • A popup will appear. Type your cPanel email address and click “Next”.
4. Select Import Option:
   • Choose “Import emails from my other account (POP3)” and click “Next”.
5. Configure POP Settings:
   • Username: Your full email address.
   • Password: Your cPanel email account password.
   • POP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
   • Port: 995 (if using SSL; otherwise, 110).
   • Options: Check “Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail” if applicable, and select whether to leave a copy on the server.
   • Click “Add Account”.
6. Set Up Outgoing Server (SMTP):
   • Gmail will prompt you to set up the ability to send mail as your cPanel email address.
   • Follow the instructions to enter your SMTP details:
     • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
     • Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)
     • Username: Your full email address.
     • Password: Your cPanel email password.
   • Choose your preferred secure connection type, then click “Add Account”.

b. For IMAP (Synchronizing Emails)

1. Navigate to Settings:
   • Click the Gear Icon > “See all settings” > “Accounts and Import” tab.
2. Add a Mail Account:
   • In the “Check mail from other accounts” section, click “Add a mail account”.
3. Enter Your Email Address:
   • Input your cPanel email address and proceed.
4. Select IMAP Option:
   • Instead of selecting POP3, look for an option or follow prompts to set up your account using IMAP. (Note: Gmail’s standard procedure primarily supports POP3 for importing emails, but you can configure IMAP via a mail client on your computer if desired.)
   • For full synchronization across devices, ensure your cPanel email is configured for IMAP, and then set up your account in an email client that supports IMAP (like the Gmail app on mobile or desktop clients).

4. Verify and Test

• Check Incoming Emails:
  Gmail should now start importing emails from your cPanel account. Allow some time for the initial import.
• Send a Test Email:
  Compose an email from Gmail using your cPanel email address to verify that SMTP settings are working correctly.

Final Thoughts

By adding your cPanel email account to Gmail, you can enjoy a unified inbox and benefit from Gmail’s powerful spam filtering and organization tools while maintaining your professional domain email. Whether you choose POP3 or IMAP depends on whether you want to download emails or sync them across devices.

Ready to streamline your email management? Follow these steps to integrate your cPanel email into Gmail and experience a more efficient workflow!

How to Integrate Cloudflare with Your Web Host

Cloudflare is a powerful content delivery network (CDN) and security service that can boost your website’s performance, reliability, and security. Integrating Cloudflare with your web host is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Create a Cloudflare Account

• Sign Up:
  Go to Cloudflare and create a free account (or choose a paid plan if you need advanced features).
• Add Your Domain:
  Once logged in, click “Add a Site” and enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com). Click “Begin Scan”.

2. Review and Confirm DNS Records

• Scan Results:
  Cloudflare will scan your current DNS records. Review the list to ensure all necessary records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) are present and correct.
• Make Adjustments:
  If any records are missing or need updating, add or modify them within Cloudflare’s dashboard.

3. Select a Cloudflare Plan

• Choose Your Plan:
  Cloudflare offers several plans ranging from Free to Enterprise. Select the plan that best suits your needs and click “Confirm Plan”.

4. Update Your Domain’s Nameservers

• Cloudflare Nameservers:
  Cloudflare will provide you with two nameservers (e.g., ns1.cloudflare.com and ns2.cloudflare.com).
• Change at Your Registrar:
  Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap) and update your domain’s nameserver settings to the ones provided by Cloudflare.
• Save Changes:
  Confirm the changes. DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours.

5. Configure Cloudflare Settings

• SSL/TLS:
  In Cloudflare’s dashboard, navigate to the SSL/TLS section and choose the appropriate SSL mode (e.g., Full or Full (Strict)) to secure your site.
• Performance and Security:
  Explore additional settings such as:
  • Caching: Configure caching levels to improve load times.
  • Page Rules: Set up custom rules for URL redirects, cache control, and more.
  • Firewall: Utilize Cloudflare’s firewall features to block malicious traffic.
• Test Your Website:
  Once nameserver changes have propagated, visit your website to ensure it loads properly over HTTPS and benefits from Cloudflare’s performance enhancements.

Final Thoughts

Integrating Cloudflare with your web host involves creating a Cloudflare account, adding your domain, verifying DNS records, updating your registrar’s nameservers, and configuring Cloudflare settings. This setup not only improves website performance with faster load times and caching but also enhances security with features like DDoS protection and a robust firewall.

Ready to take your website to the next level? Follow these steps to integrate Cloudflare and enjoy a faster, more secure online presence!

How to Install SSL on a VPS (Step-by-Step)

Installing an SSL certificate on your VPS secures your website by encrypting data between the server and your visitors. Below is a step-by-step guide for installing an SSL certificate on a VPS using Let’s Encrypt with Apache. (You can adapt similar steps for Nginx.)

1. Prepare Your VPS Environment

a. Update Your System

Open your terminal and log in to your VPS via SSH:

ssh root@your-vps-ip

Then, update your package lists and upgrade installed packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y    # For Ubuntu/Debian

For CentOS/AlmaLinux, use:

sudo yum update -y

b. Install Apache (if not already installed)

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

For CentOS/AlmaLinux:

sudo yum install httpd -y
sudo systemctl start httpd && sudo systemctl enable httpd

2. Install Certbot

Certbot is a free, open-source tool to obtain and renew Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates.

a. Install Certbot on Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y

b. Install Certbot on CentOS/AlmaLinux:

sudo yum install epel-release -y
sudo yum install certbot python2-certbot-apache -y

Note: Adjust package names if using newer versions or different distributions.

3. Obtain Your SSL Certificate

a. Run Certbot for Apache:

Execute Certbot with the Apache plugin:

sudo certbot --apache

b. Follow the Prompts:

• Enter Your Email Address:
  This is used for urgent notices and renewal reminders.
• Agree to the Terms of Service:
  Confirm that you agree to Let’s Encrypt’s terms.
• Select Your Domain:
  Certbot will automatically detect your domain names from your Apache configuration. Select the ones you want to secure.

Certbot will then communicate with Let’s Encrypt, obtain your certificate, and automatically update your Apache configuration to use HTTPS.

4. Verify the Installation

a. Test Your Website

Visit your website using https://yourdomain.com and check that the SSL padlock icon appears in your browser’s address bar.

b. Check Certificate Details

You can use online tools such as SSL Labs’ SSL Test to verify that your certificate is correctly installed and configured.

5. Set Up Auto-Renewal

Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. Certbot automatically sets up a cron job or systemd timer to renew the certificate before expiration.

a. Test Renewal Process:

Run a dry-run to ensure renewal works:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you’ve successfully installed an SSL certificate on your VPS using Let’s Encrypt and Apache. Your website now benefits from enhanced security and improved SEO. Remember to monitor your certificate’s expiration and ensure auto-renewal is working correctly.

Ready to secure your website? Follow these steps and enjoy a safer, HTTPS-enabled web presence!

How to Upgrade Your Server’s PHP Version in cPanel

Upgrading your PHP version can improve your website’s performance, security, and compatibility with modern applications. Whether you’re an administrator or a user with access to cPanel’s MultiPHP Manager, follow these steps to upgrade your PHP version.

1. Log in to Your cPanel or WHM Account

• For cPanel Users:
  Log in to your cPanel account via your hosting provider’s portal (e.g., yourdomain.com/cpanel).
• For Server Administrators:
  Log in to WHM (Web Host Manager) using your root credentials (e.g., https://yourserver-ip:2087).

2. Use MultiPHP Manager

cPanel provides the MultiPHP Manager tool to manage PHP versions for your domains.

a. Access MultiPHP Manager

• In cPanel: Look for MultiPHP Manager under the Software section.
• In WHM: Locate MultiPHP Manager in the left sidebar.

b. Select the Domains to Upgrade

• Global Change (WHM):
  You can choose to set a default PHP version for all your accounts or specific domains.
• Per-Domain Settings (cPanel):
  Select the domain you want to upgrade by checking its box.

c. Choose Your Desired PHP Version

• From the drop-down menu, select the new PHP version you wish to use (e.g., PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0, or PHP 8.1).
• Click the Apply or Update button to save your changes.

3. Update PHP Configuration (Optional)

• MultiPHP INI Editor:
  After upgrading, you may need to adjust PHP settings. In cPanel, navigate to the MultiPHP INI Editor to modify directives like memory_limit, upload_max_filesize, or max_execution_time for each domain.

4. Test Your Website

• Check Functionality:
  Visit your website to ensure that everything works correctly with the new PHP version.
• Review Error Logs:
  If issues arise, review your error logs (accessible via cPanel or WHM) to troubleshoot any compatibility problems.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your PHP version in cPanel using MultiPHP Manager is a straightforward process that can enhance your site’s security and performance. Always test your website thoroughly after the upgrade and adjust PHP settings as needed to ensure a smooth transition.

Ready to upgrade? Log in to your cPanel or WHM, use the MultiPHP Manager, and enjoy the benefits of a modern PHP environment!

How to Monitor Bandwidth Usage in cPanel

Keeping track of bandwidth usage is essential for managing your hosting resources, understanding your website traffic, and avoiding overage fees. cPanel offers several tools to help you monitor and manage bandwidth effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Use cPanel’s Built-In Bandwidth Tool

• Access the Bandwidth Tool:
  Log in to your cPanel account and scroll down to the Metrics section. Click on Bandwidth.
• Review Bandwidth Statistics:
  The Bandwidth page displays graphs and data showing your website’s traffic over various time periods (daily, weekly, monthly). You can see:
  • Total Bandwidth: The total amount of data transferred.
  • Per-Domain Usage: Bandwidth consumption for individual domains or subdomains hosted under your account.
  • Visitor Breakdown: Information about visitor IP addresses, countries, and the protocols (HTTP/HTTPS) used.

2. Analyze Detailed Reports

• Graphical Data:
  Use the visual graphs to identify trends or unusual spikes in traffic. Hover over graph points for detailed data on specific dates.
• Raw Data:
  At the bottom of the Bandwidth page, you may find detailed tables listing data per hour, which can help diagnose time-specific issues.

3. Set Up Alerts and Monitor Over Time

• Regular Monitoring:
  Check the bandwidth reports regularly to ensure you’re not nearing your hosting plan limits.
• Automated Alerts:
  Some hosting providers may offer options to set up automated alerts when bandwidth usage exceeds certain thresholds. Check with your provider or use third-party monitoring services if needed.

4. Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)

• Additional Analytics:
  Tools like Google Analytics can provide complementary insights into your website’s traffic. However, for data transfer details, cPanel’s Bandwidth tool remains your primary resource.

Final Thoughts

By utilizing cPanel’s built-in Bandwidth tool, you can easily monitor your website’s data usage, analyze trends, and take proactive measures to manage traffic. Regularly reviewing these metrics will help you optimize performance and ensure you remain within your hosting plan limits.

Ready to keep your bandwidth in check? Log in to your cPanel account and start monitoring your traffic today!