Webhosting - Separate Alias Websites (Multihosting)

In this guide, you will learn:

• How to prepare Webhosting for adding a separate alias
• How to create a separate website for an alias:
  • via FTP
  • using the app installer
  • using automatic migration
• Common problems
• Frequently asked questions

Preparation for adding a separate website

Separate alias websites work according to the following scheme:

1. On FTP, in the www folder, there is a domains folder that allows you to distinguish between different domains, and a .htaccess file that directs requests for those domains there.
2. In the domains folder there are subfolders with the full names of individual domains or subdomains that are active on the Webhosting (without www).

So if you want to run separate websites on one Webhosting using aliases on different domains, first log in to FTP (you can find the file management guide here) and make sure that:

• The Webhosting contains the default .htaccess file in the www folder.
• The files of the current website are located in the www/domains folder.

If your current website is in the www folder, follow these steps: 

1. Create a new directory in www/domains with the domain name (without www).
2. Move the contents of the www folder into the newly created folder, except for the domains and subdom directories.
3. Restore the default .htaccess file according to this guide.

Creating a separate website

If you have prepared the structure on FTP for creating a new separate website on an existing Webhosting according to the chapter Preparation for adding a separate website for an alias, decide how you want to create the separate website:

• If you have the website prepared on your computer as html, css, js, php, and other files, upload it via FTP.
• If you want to create a new website using a content management system, such as WordPress, you can create it directly using the app installer.
• If you want to move a new website from another existing Webhosting, whether ours or a competitor's, you can use automatic migration.

Separate website via FTP

Create separate websites for aliases exclusively in the www/domains folder. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to FTP ⧉.
2. Go to the www/domains folder.
3. Create a new directory with a name matching the alias (sub)domain name (without www).
4. Upload the website files into the newly created directory.

If you upload installation files for an application, such as the WordPress CMS, into this folder (instructions for manual installation can be found in the article Webhosting – WordPress), make sure the installation was also performed in this folder.

Separate website via app installer

The app installer always installs into the www/domains folder. 

Before installation, make sure that the folder does not exist on FTP ⧉. If it exists, delete it; the installer will create a new one with the correct permissions.

Perform the installation according to the instructions in the article Webhosting – App Installer. In the first step of the application installation, select the alias domain for which you want to create the website from the domain list.

Separate websites using automatic migration

If you want to download multiple separate websites to one Webhosting using automatic migration, first enter the expert mode interface by following these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select Hosting Services Webhosting.
3. In the overview, select the Webhosting to which you want to migrate the websites.
4. In the left menu, select Migration from competitor – Website.
5. Above the form, switch to Expert mode.

In this interface, set especially these options:

1. In Migration type, select Migration to a subfolder for the specified domain.
2. In Location on VEDOS Webhosting, choose the alias domain to which you want to perform the migration.

Fill in all other details according to the guide Webhosting – Expert automatic data migration.

Common problems

Common problems when running multiple websites through aliases include:

• FTP edit lock
• App installer error
• Automatic migration error
• HTTPS error
• Website address shows the domains folder

RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} ^$ 
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^\/domains 
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{SERVER_NAME}/ [R=301,L]

Frequently asked questions