Creating a new hosting account in WHM allows you to set up separate accounts for different websites, clients, or projects. Through the Create a New Account interface, you can configure domain settings, usernames, passwords, and resource limits for cPanel accounts, making it easy to manage multiple websites from a single server.
Before creating new accounts, ensure that nameservers are configured in your WHM Basic Setup interface, as this is required for successful account creation.
Understanding User Types and Permissions
WHM supports multiple user types with different permission levels to help you manage your hosting environment effectively:
- Root users have complete access to all WHM and cPanel features and can create or modify any account on the server
- Resellers can create and manage their own cPanel accounts with specific privileges set by the root user, such as the ability to suspend or unsuspend accounts
- cPanel users can access the cPanel interface to manage their websites, with permissions controlled by the root user or their reseller
This hierarchy allows you to delegate hosting management tasks while maintaining control over the overall server environment.
Domain Information Requirements
When creating a new account, you must provide essential domain information that defines the basic settings for the user's account. New users will need the username and password you set here to access their accounts.
Required Account Information
Domain: Enter the primary domain name for the account (for example, example.com). You can create accounts for subdomains of domains you own, such as username.example.com, but you cannot create a separate account for the www subdomain as the system automatically removes it.
Username: Choose a unique username for the account that follows these requirements:
- Must be 16 characters or fewer
- Must contain only lowercase letters and numbers
- Cannot start with a number or special character
- Must be unique across all accounts on the server
Password: Set a strong password for the account. Consider using the password generator tool for enhanced security.
Setting Resource Limits and Packages
After entering basic domain information, you can assign resource limits to the account either by selecting a predefined hosting package or by setting custom limits. Hosting packages allow you to standardize resource allocation across multiple accounts, while custom settings give you flexibility for special requirements.
Common resources you can control include disk space, bandwidth, email accounts, databases, and addon domains. Setting appropriate limits helps prevent individual accounts from consuming excessive server resources.
Email and Contact Information
Providing accurate contact information ensures account owners receive important notifications about their hosting service. Enter a valid email address where account-related communications should be sent, including password reset requests and system notifications.
Additional Configuration Options
The account creation interface offers several advanced options to customize how the account functions:
- IP Address: Select a dedicated or shared IP address for the account
- DNS Settings: Choose whether to use the server's default nameservers or custom settings
- Mail Routing: Configure how the server handles email for the domain
- CGI Access: Enable or disable CGI script execution
Most accounts work well with default settings, but these options provide flexibility for specific hosting scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I get an error saying nameservers are not configured?
Navigate to WHM's Basic WebHost Manager Setup interface (WHM > Home > Server Configuration > Basic WebHost Manager Setup) and specify your nameservers. This is a required configuration step before you can create new accounts on your server.
Can I change the username after creating an account?
No, usernames cannot be changed after account creation. If you need to use a different username, you must create a new account and migrate the data from the old account. Choose your username carefully during the initial setup.
How do I create an account for a subdomain?
Simply enter the full subdomain in the Domain field (for example, subdomain.example.com). The account will function like any other cPanel account but will be associated with the subdomain instead of a main domain.
What happens if I select a hosting package when creating an account?
Selecting a package automatically applies predefined resource limits and settings to the account, ensuring consistency across similar accounts. You can override package settings by manually adjusting individual limits during account creation or modify them later through the account management interface.
Need help creating a new hosting account or have questions about account setup? The OBHost support team is available 24/7 to assist you. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for immediate assistance.
