Purpose
This post adds an additional domain to a DirectAdmin VPS that already has a fully configured account domain.
Additional domains reuse very small portions of the server‑level foundation established by the account domain.
This post focuses only on creating the additional domain. Configuration steps follow in later posts.
Scope and Applicability
- Applies to Additional Domains only
- Requires a completed and verified Account Domain
- Repeatable for each additional domain added to the server
- Does not cover subdomains or addon domains
Prerequisites
- DirectAdmin is accessible
- The account domain is fully configured and verified
- DNS, SSL, and mail are working correctly for the account domain
- The new domain is registered and under your control
- A backup exists prior to making domain‑level changes
If the domain previously existed on another server, ensure all migration and cleanup steps are complete before proceeding.
If updates are pending, apply them before you start other steps:
Add the Additional Domain in DirectAdmin
- Log in to DirectAdmin as the admin user.
- From DirectAdmin Control Panel | USER, go to <Account Manager> | <Domain Setup>.
- Confirm the domain does not already exist in the domain list. Stop, if it’s there already.
- Click <+ Add New>. Then create it as follows:
- Domain: <domain name>
- Options (ensure all selected defaults unless explicitly instructed elsewhere): Secure SSL, CGI Access, PHP Access
- Click <Create> to create the domain.
DirectAdmin will create the domain and apply some inherited server‑level defaults.
Immediate Confirmation
Confirm the following:
- The domain appears in the domain list
No PHP settings, DNS delegation, SSL issuance, or mail configuration should be performed yet.
Stop Point
Do not setup any of the following items at this time:
- PHP settings
- DNS records
- SSL certificates
- Mail services or authentication
Next step:
Proceed to the next post to Apply PHP Settings for this additional Domain.