This guide explains how to create and manage parked domains in cPanel. Parked domains (also known as alias domains) allow you to point multiple domain names to the same website. This is useful if you own variations of your brand name or want additional domains to show the same content as your primary site.
- What Is a Parked Domain
A parked domain is a domain that displays the same website as your main domain.
Examples:
- example.co.uk and example.net both show the same site as example.com
- stormyhosting.co.uk points to the same content as stormyhosting.com
Parked domains do not have their own separate website or document root.
- Accessing the Parked Domain (Alias) Tool
- Log in to your cPanel dashboard.
- Scroll to the Domains section.
- Select Aliases (or Parked Domains, depending on your cPanel version).
This page lists all parked domains currently associated with your account.
- Adding a Parked Domain
Before adding a parked domain, make sure the domain's DNS is pointing to your hosting nameservers.
To add the domain:
- In the Aliases interface, find the Create a New Alias section.
- Enter the domain name you want to park.
- Click Add Domain.
The domain will now point to your primary website.
- Verifying DNS Settings
For a parked domain to work correctly:
- The domain must use your hosting nameservers, or
- The A record must point to your server's IP address
If DNS is not set correctly, the domain may show an error or not load at all.
- Redirecting a Parked Domain (Optional)
You can redirect a parked domain to a specific URL instead of showing the main site.
- In the Aliases list, find the parked domain.
- Click Manage Redirection.
- Enter the URL you want it to redirect to.
- Click Save.
Example:
example.net redirects to https://example.com/shop
To remove the redirect, return to the same menu and click Disable Redirection.
- Removing a Parked Domain
If you no longer want the domain to point to your site:
- Go to Aliases.
- Find the domain in the list.
- Click Remove.
- Confirm the deletion.
This removes the domain from your hosting account but does not cancel the domain registration itself.
- When to Use a Parked Domain
Parked domains are useful when:
- You own multiple versions of your brand name
- You want to protect your brand from competitors
- You want alternative spellings or country-specific domains to show the same site
- You want a domain to redirect to a specific page or section
They are not suitable if you want to host a completely separate website. In that case, you should use an Addon Domain instead.
- Troubleshooting Common Parked Domain Issues
Domain Not Loading
- DNS may not be pointing to your hosting server.
- Check nameservers or A records.
Redirect Not Working
- Ensure the redirect URL is correct and includes http:// or https://.
- Clear browser cache.
SSL Not Applied to Parked Domain
- AutoSSL may not have run yet.
- Check SSL/TLS Status and run AutoSSL if needed.
Domain Shows a cPanel Default Page
- DNS may still be propagating.
- Wait up to 24 hours.
