A domain alias is a domain you own that points to another domain's content instead of hosting its own files. This is useful when you want to redirect traffic from multiple domains to a single website, hold a domain for future use, or create alternative addresses for your main site. You can create and manage domain aliases through your cPanel control panel at OBHost.
What Are Domain Aliases?
Domain aliases (also called parked domains) are additional domain names that display the exact same content as your primary domain. When visitors type the alias domain into their browser, they see your main website's content without any separate files or hosting space required.
For example, if your main domain is example.com and you create an alias for example.net, both domains will show identical content. This differs from addon domains, which have their own separate content and files.
Requirements Before Creating a Domain Alias
Before you can create a domain alias in cPanel, you must complete these two important steps:
- Register the domain name with a domain registrar
- Point the domain's nameservers to your hosting account's nameservers
These requirements ensure that the domain is properly connected to your hosting account. If the Allow Remote Domains setting is enabled by your hosting provider, you may be able to skip the nameserver requirement, but most standard configurations require both steps.
How to Create a New Domain Alias
Adding a domain alias in cPanel is straightforward:
- Log into your cPanel account
- Navigate to the Domains section and click on Aliases
- Enter the domain name you want to use as an alias in the text box
- Click the Add Domain button
Once created, the system will automatically attempt to secure your domain alias with an SSL certificate. If AutoSSL is enabled on your account, a free SSL certificate will be requested and installed automatically when available. If no certificate exists initially, a self-signed certificate will be generated temporarily.
Managing Domain Alias Redirection
You can configure your domain alias to redirect visitors to a specific URL instead of simply mirroring your main domain's content.
To enable or modify redirection:
- Locate the domain alias in the Remove Aliases table
- Click Manage Redirection next to the domain you want to configure
- Enter the full URL where you want visitors redirected (for example, https://www.example.com/special-page)
- Click Save to activate the redirection
To disable redirection and return to mirroring your main domain, click Manage Redirection again and then click Disable Redirection.
Creating Email Accounts for Domain Aliases
You can create email accounts using your domain alias address. This allows you to receive emails sent to addresses at your alias domain while managing everything from your main hosting account.
Email accounts for aliases are created through the standard Email Accounts interface in cPanel, where you'll see your alias domains listed as available options when setting up new email addresses.
Accessing Domain Alias Files
Domain aliases share the same file directory as your primary domain since they display identical content. To access the files that your alias displays:
- Click the Domain Root link in the Remove Aliases table next to your alias
- This opens the File Manager interface showing the directory your alias points to
- Any changes you make to these files will affect both your primary domain and all aliases pointing to it
How to Remove a Domain Alias
If you no longer need a domain alias, you can remove it from your account. Before removing any domain, we strongly recommend creating a full backup of your account.
To remove a domain alias:
- Find the alias you want to remove in the Remove Aliases table
- Click the Remove button next to that domain
- Click Yes to confirm the removal, or No to cancel
Important: Removing a domain alias only deletes the alias configuration, DNS entries, and virtual host settings. The actual directory and files remain on your account, so you won't lose any data stored in that location.
SSL Certificates and Domain Aliases
When you create a domain alias, the system automatically works to secure it with HTTPS. The hosting platform will use the best available SSL certificate for your alias. If AutoSSL is enabled, a free certificate will be requested and installed automatically.
This automatic SSL provisioning ensures that visitors can access your alias domain securely over HTTPS without requiring manual certificate installation.
Searching Your Domain Aliases
If you have multiple domain aliases, you can use the search function in the Aliases interface to quickly locate a specific domain. Simply enter part of the domain name in the search box, and the table will filter to show matching results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a domain alias and an addon domain?
A domain alias displays the exact same content as your primary domain, sharing the same files and directory. An addon domain is a completely separate website with its own unique content, files, and directory. Use aliases when you want multiple domains showing identical content, and use addon domains when you want to host different websites on the same account.
Can I create email addresses using my domain alias?
Yes, you can create email accounts that use your domain alias address. These email accounts function normally and can send and receive messages. Set them up through the Email Accounts section in cPanel, where your alias domains will appear as available options.
Will removing a domain alias delete my website files?
No, removing a domain alias only deletes the alias configuration and DNS settings. All files in the directory remain intact on your server. However, we still recommend creating a backup before making any changes to your domain configuration.
Do I need to update nameservers for every domain alias?
Yes, in most configurations you must point each alias domain's nameservers to your hosting account's nameservers before creating the alias in cPanel. This ensures the domain properly resolves to your hosting account. Contact your domain registrar to update nameserver settings.
If you need assistance managing domain aliases or have questions about your hosting configuration, the OBHost support team is available 24/7 to help. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for technical support.
