Add New Domains to BigScoots Hosting: A Quick Guide

Guides

August 27, 2024

Add New Domains to BigScoots Hosting: A Quick Guide

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

A Registered Domain Name: Ensure that you have already purchased the domain name you want to add.
Access to Your BigScoots Control Panel: You should have your login credentials ready to access your BigScoots hosting control panel.

With these prerequisites in place, you’re ready to add a new domain to your BigScoots hosting account.

Step 1: Access Your BigScoots Control Panel

The first step in adding a new domain to your BigScoots hosting account is to access your control panel. This is where you’ll manage all the technical aspects of your hosting service.

1.1 Login to Your BigScoots Dashboard

Open your web browser and navigate to the BigScoots website.
Click on the “Login” button located at the top-right corner of the page.
Enter your login credentials (email and password) and click “Submit.”
You will be redirected to your BigScoots dashboard, where you can manage all your hosting services.

1.2 Navigate to Your Hosting Service

In the dashboard, locate the “Services” menu.
Click on “Shared SSD Hosting” (or select your specific hosting type if different).
You’ll see a list of your active hosting services. Click on the one where you want to add the new domain.

1.3 Access the Control Panel

After selecting your hosting service, look for the “Access Control Panel” button and click on it.
A new window or tab will open, leading you to the cPanel (control panel) for your hosting account.

1.4 Confirm Access to cPanel

In the cPanel interface, confirm that you have access by clicking on the “Click here to access Control Panel” button.
This will direct you to the main cPanel dashboard, where you can manage various aspects of your hosting, including domains.

Step 2: Create an Addon Domain

Once you have accessed the cPanel, the next step is to create an Addon Domain. This will link your new domain name to your hosting account, allowing you to host a website under that domain.

2.1 Locate the Addon Domains Section

In the cPanel dashboard, scroll down to find the “Domains” section.
Click on the “Addon Domains” icon to proceed.

2.2 Enter Domain Details

Domain Name: In the “New Domain Name” field, enter the domain name you wish to add (e.g., newdomain.com). Make sure to enter it without the www prefix.
Subdomain: The subdomain field will usually be auto-filled based on your domain name. You can leave it as it is unless you want to create a specific subdomain.
Document Root: This field should also auto-populate. The document root is the directory where your website files will be stored. It’s usually a good idea to let this auto-populate unless you have specific needs.
Directory: Leave this field blank. The directory is typically handled by the system, and there’s no need to fill it manually.
Share Document Root: Uncheck the “Share document root” box if it’s selected. This ensures that your new domain will have its own separate directory, which is important for managing multiple websites on the same hosting account.

2.3 Finalize and Submit

Once you have filled in all the necessary details, click on the “Submit” button.
Your cPanel will now process the information, and your new domain will be added as an Addon Domain.
You should see a confirmation message indicating that the domain has been successfully added.

Step 3: Update Nameservers

Now that your domain is linked to your hosting account, you need to update the nameservers so that the domain points to your BigScoots hosting.

3.1 Log in to Your Domain Registrar’s Account

Go to the website of the registrar where you purchased your domain name.
Log in using your credentials to access your domain management dashboard.

3.2 Find the Domain You Want to Add

In your domain registrar’s dashboard, locate the domain name you want to add to your BigScoots hosting account.
Click on the domain name to open its settings.

3.3 Update Nameservers

Look for the section labeled “Nameservers” or “DNS Settings.”
You will need to update the nameservers to point to BigScoots. The nameserver information can usually be found in your BigScoots control panel, but if you can’t find it, contact BigScoots support for assistance.
Enter the nameservers provided by BigScoots. They typically look something like this:
- ns1.bigscoots.com
- ns2.bigscoots.com
Once you’ve entered the nameservers, save the changes.

3.4 Allow Time for DNS Propagation

After updating the nameservers, it may take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet. DNS propagation usually takes 24-48 hours, although it can sometimes happen more quickly.
During this time, your new domain may not be immediately accessible, so be patient.

Additional Considerations

While the core process of adding a new domain to BigScoots hosting is relatively straightforward, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind.

DNS Propagation

Time Frame: As mentioned earlier, DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. During this period, your domain might be intermittently accessible or completely inaccessible.
Verification: You can use online tools like WhatsMyDNS to check the status of your DNS propagation.

Website Content

Uploading Content: Once the domain is added and the DNS changes have propagated, you can begin uploading your website content. Use an FTP client or the cPanel File Manager to upload files to the document root directory for your new domain.
Content Management Systems (CMS): If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, you’ll need to install it on your new domain. This can also be done through cPanel using the “Softaculous Apps Installer” or similar tools.

Email Setup

Creating Email Accounts: If you want to use email addresses associated with your new domain (e.g., info@newdomain.com), you’ll need to set up email accounts in cPanel. Navigate to the “Email Accounts” section in cPanel to create new accounts.
Email Client Configuration: After creating email accounts, configure them in your preferred email client (e.g., Outlook, Gmail, etc.). You’ll need the incoming and outgoing mail server details, which can be found in cPanel.

SSL Certificate

Importance of SSL: An SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted between your website and its visitors, enhancing security. It’s especially important for eCommerce websites or any site that collects personal information.
Installing SSL: You can install an SSL certificate through cPanel. Many hosting plans, including those offered by BigScoots, provide free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. Navigate to the “SSL/TLS” section in cPanel to manage your SSL certificates.
HTTPS Redirect: After installing the SSL certificate, set up an HTTPS redirect to ensure that all traffic to your site is encrypted. This can be done by modifying your .htaccess file or using a plugin if you’re running a CMS like WordPress.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, issues may arise during the process of adding a new domain. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Domain Not Propagating

Check DNS Settings: Ensure that the nameservers are correctly updated and pointing to BigScoots.
Wait for Propagation: Remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully.
Contact Support: If the issue persists beyond 48 hours, contact BigScoots support for assistance.

cPanel Errors

Addon Domain Already Exists: If you receive an error stating that the Addon Domain already exists, it may be because the domain was previously added or is being used as a parked domain. Double-check in the cPanel “Domains” section.
Invalid Domain Name: Ensure that you’ve entered the domain name correctly without any typos or unnecessary spaces.

Email Issues

Emails Not Sending/Receiving: Verify that your email client is configured correctly with the appropriate server settings. If the problem persists, check if your domain’s MX records are correctly configured in cPanel.
Spam Issues: If your emails are being marked as spam, consider setting up DKIM and SPF records to authenticate your domain’s emails. These settings can be managed in the “Email Deliverability” section of cPanel.

Conclusion

Adding a new domain to your BigScoots hosting account is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following this guide, you can ensure that your new domain is properly linked to your hosting account, with all necessary configurations in place. Whether you’re adding a domain for a new website, a subdomain for a specific project, or simply expanding your online presence, BigScoots provides the tools you need to manage everything effectively.

Remember to be patient during the DNS propagation phase, and take the time to configure additional settings like email accounts and SSL certificates to enhance your website’s functionality