Best web hosting for multiple domains

How to manage multiple domains from one hosting account

Once your hosting plan supports multiple domains, you’ll need to set up each domain properly to ensure security, performance, and ease of management. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to do it:

1. Add your domains via the hosting control panel

Most web hosts use tools like cPanel. Use the panel your host provides to link additional domains to your account.

• In cPanel, go to Domains > Addon Domains. Enter the new domain, and cPanel will create a directory for it.
• For reseller accounts, WHM allows you to create separate cPanel accounts per domain—ideal for client projects.

Each domain gets mapped to its own folder, where you can upload a unique site or install WordPress.

2. Set up DNS records correctly

Once the domain is added, make sure it points to your host’s nameservers or IP address:

• Update nameservers in your domain registrar’s dashboard to match your hosting provider (e.g., ns1.yourhost.com, ns2.yourhost.com)
• Or create A records pointing to your server’s IP address, especially for VPS and dedicated setups
• Use your hosting dashboard’s DNS zone editor to manage records like MX (email), CNAME, and TXT (for verification or security)

DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to fully propagate.

3. Assign SSL certificates to each domain

For security and SEO, each domain should have its own SSL certificate:

• Most hosting providers offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates that can be installed in one click
• In cPanel, go to SSL/TLS > Manage SSL Sites and select your domain to install or update a certificate
• On VPS or dedicated servers, use terminal commands or your hosting panel to configure SSL manually or via Certbot

Always verify that the certificate is active by visiting your site using https://.

4. Keep files and sites organized

Each domain should have its own document root or subdirectory. For example:

• /public_html/site1.com/
• /public_html/site2.com/

This ensures files for one domain don’t interfere with another. If you’re using WordPress, install it separately into each directory.

5. Configure domain-specific emails (optional)

Set up email addresses for each domain using your host’s email tools:

• In cPanel: Email Accounts > Create, then select the domain and create addresses like [email protected]

VPS and reseller plans often support private mail servers or allow integration with tools like Google Workspace.

You can also use forwarding or catch-all emails for simpler setups.

6. Use staging and backup tools per domain

If your host includes staging features, use them individually for each site:

• In cPanel or tools like Softaculous, clone each domain’s site to a staging environment before updates
• Set up automatic backups per domain to prevent cross-site loss. In VPS setups, consider cron jobs or automated scripts for granular control.