What is the difference between Primary, Alias (Parked), Addon, and Subdomains?
Navigating the various types of domains can be challenging. In this article, we will explore each type of domain you can add to cPanel, explaining the differences between primary, addon, parked (alias), and subdomains to help you manage your websites more effectively.
The primary domain is the main domain associated with your cPanel account. It serves as the primary website hosted in the public_html/ directory. For example, if your primary domain is example.co.za, then a file located at public_html/mypage.html would be accessible at http://example.co.za/mypage.html.
An alias domain, also known as a parked domain, is an additional domain that displays the same content as your primary domain. For instance, if you add example.com as an alias to example.co.za, navigating to http://example.com will show the same website as http://example.co.za. Alias domains do not count toward your unique website quota and can have their own email accounts. To add an alias domain, please refer to the article: How do I add a parked (alias) domain in cPanel?
An addon domain allows you to host a completely separate website under a new domain name while still using your existing cPanel account. For example, if you add newsite.com as an addon domain, you can manage it independently from your primary domain. Addon domains count toward your unique website quota and can also have their own email accounts. To create an addon domain, please refer to the article: How do I add a new website as an Addon domain in cPanel?
A subdomain is a subdivision of your primary or addon domain. It enables you to create a distinct section of your website. For example, blog.example.com or shop.newsite.com are subdomains. Subdomains count toward your unique website quota and can have their own email accounts. To create a subdomain, please refer to the article: How do I add a new Subdomain in cPanel?
By understanding the differences between primary, alias, addon, and subdomains, you can efficiently manage your websites and optimize your cPanel experience. If you need further assistance, please reach out to our support team.
Primary Domain
The primary domain is the main domain associated with your cPanel account. It serves as the primary website hosted in the public_html/ directory. For example, if your primary domain is example.co.za, then a file located at public_html/mypage.html would be accessible at http://example.co.za/mypage.html.
Alias Domain (Parked Domain)
An alias domain, also known as a parked domain, is an additional domain that displays the same content as your primary domain. For instance, if you add example.com as an alias to example.co.za, navigating to http://example.com will show the same website as http://example.co.za. Alias domains do not count toward your unique website quota and can have their own email accounts. To add an alias domain, please refer to the article: How do I add a parked (alias) domain in cPanel?
Addon Domain
An addon domain allows you to host a completely separate website under a new domain name while still using your existing cPanel account. For example, if you add newsite.com as an addon domain, you can manage it independently from your primary domain. Addon domains count toward your unique website quota and can also have their own email accounts. To create an addon domain, please refer to the article: How do I add a new website as an Addon domain in cPanel?
Subdomain
A subdomain is a subdivision of your primary or addon domain. It enables you to create a distinct section of your website. For example, blog.example.com or shop.newsite.com are subdomains. Subdomains count toward your unique website quota and can have their own email accounts. To create a subdomain, please refer to the article: How do I add a new Subdomain in cPanel?
Summary
| Domain Type | Can Host a Unique Website | Can Host Unique Email Addresses |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Yes | Yes |
| Alias | No | Yes |
| Addon | Yes | Yes |
| Subdomain | Yes | Yes |
By understanding the differences between primary, alias, addon, and subdomains, you can efficiently manage your websites and optimize your cPanel experience. If you need further assistance, please reach out to our support team.
Updated on: 18/10/2024
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