In this tutorial we will discuss the various types of domains that can be added on your cpanel account. By the end of the article, you will know the difference between add-on, parked, and subdomains. If you have recently purchased a new domain name and wish to host it on your account you will need to add it to the cPanel as an add-on or parked domain. 

What do I choose for a new domain? How should I set it up?

First, you will need to make a few decisions. Will this new domain name have it's own website, completely separate from your primary or main domain on your account? If so, then you will need to add it as an add-on domain. Add-on domains are completely independent websites from other domains that may be on your account.

If your new domain is going to show the same exact website as your primary domain, then you will add it as a parked domain. Parked domains will display the same website as your primary domain. 

What's a Parked Domain?

A parked domain allows you to add a domain to your account but display the primary domain's website. This is not the same as a redirect. Let's say you have two domains - Adomain.com & Bdomain.com

If Adomain.com is your primary domain and you were to add Bdomain.com as the add-on it would look exactly the same as Adomain.com. The onyl difference is the URL being displayed. Consequently, this is the difference between a re-direct and a parked domain. Redirects will change the URL to the re-directed page, whereas a parked domain will not.

Whats a Subdomain?

Have you ever visited a website that had a dot (.) separating the URL in the browser? Let's say you have a mobile website, just for your business customers on a mobile device. If your main domain is yourdomain.com you may set up a subdomain mobile.yourdomain.com. A subdomain is basically a domain within a domain. It's treated like a separate website alltogether, however it uses the main domain's URL as in our example.

What is an add-on domain?

An add-on domain is a separate domain alltogether. It is just like a subdomain, however it uses it's own domain name. So instead of being a domain within another domain, it's just a separate domain completely. If your main domain name is yourdomain.com and you want another domain name, myotherdomain.com you would add it as an add-on within cPanel.