How to Create a Website in cPanel

1. Introduction

cPanel & WHM provides several tools that allow users to quickly and easily build a website. Depending on your needs, you can use Sitejet Builder, WordPress, Site Publisher (legacy), or upload your own custom content.

2. Create a Website with Sitejet Builder

The Sitejet Builder interface lets you manage your domains and build websites using the Sitejet CMS. It is fully integrated with cPanel, allowing you to design and publish your website directly to your domain.

Steps to Create a Website with Sitejet

• Navigate to cPanel » Home » Domains » Sitejet Builder.
• Click Build with Sitejet for the desired domain.
• Select a template and customize your website in the Sitejet CMS.
• Click Publish to publish the website to the domain’s document root.

Important Notes

• If the document root contains existing files, the system will warn you. Publishing will delete all files and folders in that directory.
• If publishing exceeds your disk quota, you must free up space before continuing.

3. Create a WordPress Website with WP Toolkit

Note: The Onboarding Assistant automatically installs WordPress for new accounts if the user selects the WordPress option.

Steps to Install WordPress

• Navigate to cPanel » Home » Domains » WP Toolkit.
• Click Install WordPress.
• Enter a website title.
• Review or modify the suggested admin username, password, and email.
• Click Install.

This installs a basic WordPress site. You can add themes, plugins, and enhancements through WP Toolkit or the WordPress Dashboard.

To access the WordPress Dashboard, click Log in.

4. Create a Placeholder Page with Site Publisher

Warning: The Site Publisher interface was removed in cPanel & WHM version 134.

Steps to Create a Placeholder Page

• Navigate to cPanel » Home » Domains » Site Publisher.
• Select the domain you want to use.
• Choose a template.
• Enter your site information.
• Click Publish.

Note: This interface lists the main domain and subdomains, but not parked (alias) domains.

5. Upload Your Own Content

If you built your website outside of cPanel or WordPress, you can upload your files directly to the server using one of the following tools:

• Web Disk — cPanel » Home » Files » Web Disk
• Git Version Control — cPanel » Home » Files » Git Version Control
• File Manager — cPanel » Home » Files » File Manager
• FTP Accounts — cPanel » Home » Files » FTP Accounts

Conclusion

cPanel offers multiple ways to build a website—from fast and intuitive tools like Sitejet Builder to powerful platforms like WordPress, as well as manual upload options for custom-built sites. Choose the method that best fits your workflow and project requirements.

1. Introduction

This document outlines the minimum steps required to publish a website on a new cPanel & WHM server. You may skip any steps you have already completed. For full functionality and security, we recommend reviewing the rest of the cPanel & WHM documentation.

Important: A cPanel & WHM server cannot operate using IPv6 only. You must have at least one IPv4 address.

2. Prepare WHM

2.1 Log in to WHM

To access WHM, follow these steps:

https://IPADDRESS:2087/

• Enter the root username and password.
• Accept the software license agreement.
• Enter your administrator email address.
• Enter your default nameservers.
• Click Finish to load the WHM Home interface.

2.2 Set the Hostname

Your server’s hostname uniquely identifies it on the internet.

• Go to WHM » Networking Setup » Change Hostname.
• Enter a new hostname if needed.
• Click Change.
• Click Add an A entry to create the required DNS record.

Warning: After changing the hostname, your browser may show an SSL certificate warning.

2.3 Confirm DNS Resolvers

Resolvers allow your server to look up IP addresses for external domains.

• Navigate to WHM » Networking Setup » Resolver Configuration.
• Click Proceed.
• Enter the Primary and Secondary resolver IPs.

Note: If you do not have resolver information, you may use Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

2.4 Configure Nameservers

If you want your server to host DNS for your domains, configure nameserver software.

• Go to WHM » Service Configuration » Nameserver Selection.
• Select your preferred nameserver software and save.
• Open DNS Zone Manager.
• Select the hostname zone and click Manage.
• Add NS1 and NS2 A records.
• Update NS entries to your custom nameservers.
• Update nameserver records at your domain registrar.

2.5 Set Up Reverse DNS

PTR records map IP addresses to hostnames. Contact your hosting provider to configure the PTR record for your primary IP.

3. Create the cPanel Account

• Navigate to WHM » Account Functions » Create a New Account.
• Enter the domain name.
• Set a username, password, and contact email.
• Click Create.

Note: If using external nameservers, configure DNS records at your registrar or hosting provider.

4. Prepare cPanel

4.1 Log in to cPanel

Click Go to cPanel from the WHM confirmation screen to access the new account.

4.2 Create an Email Account

• Go to cPanel » Email » Email Accounts.
• Click Create.
• Enter a username and password.
• Set storage limits.
• Click Create.

5. Prepare the Website

5.1 Choose a Publishing Method

You may use Sitejet, WordPress, Site Publisher (legacy), or upload your own content.

Create a Website with Sitejet Builder

To build a website using the Sitejet CMS:

• Go to cPanel » Domains » Sitejet Builder.
• Select a template and customize your site.
• Click Publish to deploy the site to your document root.

Create a WordPress Website

If you plan to use WordPress:

• Navigate to cPanel » Domains » WP Toolkit.
• Click Install WordPress.
• Set the site title and admin credentials.
• Click Install.