How to Add a Subdomain with Cloudflare & CyberPanel When Your Domain Is a Custom Domain for WordPress Multisite

Scenario Overview

  • Your main domain (e.g., example.org) is used as a custom domain pointing to a WordPress Multisite on another domain (example.com).
  • You want to add a subdomain (e.g., ok.example.org) on the same server using CyberPanel, running a different CMS or site (not part of the WP multisite).
  • You want the subdomain to work properly without interfering with the WordPress multisite on the main domain.

Step 1: Understanding DNS & Cloudflare Setup

Since example.org is already pointed to your WordPress Multisite (on example.com), your DNS in Cloudflare likely has:

  • An A record for example.org pointing to the server IP hosting WP multisite (example.com)
  • Possibly proxy enabled (orange cloud)

You want to add a subdomain ok.example.org pointing to your CyberPanel server where the new CMS/site will be hosted.


Step 2: Add Subdomain DNS Record in Cloudflare

  1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard for example.org.
  2. Go to the DNS tab.
  3. Add a new A record:
  • Name: ok
  • IPv4 address: IP address of your CyberPanel server where you will host the subdomain
  • Proxy status: Initially, set to DNS only (gray cloud) to avoid proxy issues during setup.
  1. Save the record.

Note: If your main domain and subdomain point to the same server IP, just ensure the DNS records exist and are correctly set.


Step 3: Create the Subdomain Website in CyberPanel

  1. Login to your CyberPanel dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Websites > Create Website.
  3. Fill in the details:
  • Domain Name: ok.example.org
  • Select PHP version, owner, and other options as required.
  1. Click Create Website.

This will set up the virtual host and document root for ok.example.org.


Step 4: Upload or Set Up Your Different CMS for the Subdomain

  • Upload your PHP CMS or site files to:
/home/ok.example.org/public_html/
  • Make sure the permissions and ownership are correct.
  • Configure your CMS database and settings accordingly.

Step 5: Test the Subdomain Before Enabling Proxy

  • Wait a few minutes for DNS propagation.
  • Visit http://ok.example.org in your browser.
  • If the site loads properly, the server setup is working.

Step 6: Enable Cloudflare Proxy (Optional)

Once everything is verified and working:

  1. Return to Cloudflare DNS.
  2. Change the ok subdomain A record’s proxy status to Proxied (orange cloud).
  3. Cloudflare will handle SSL, caching, and security features for the subdomain.

Additional Tips and Considerations

  • SSL Certificates: Use CyberPanel’s Let’s Encrypt SSL to issue SSL for ok.example.org.
  • Avoid Conflicts: Since the main domain (example.org) is a custom domain for WP multisite on another server, your subdomain DNS must point specifically to your CyberPanel server IP.
  • DNS Propagation: Sometimes DNS changes take time. You can flush DNS cache or use online tools to check propagation.
  • Avoid Proxy during setup: Proxying (orange cloud) might cause issues with initial setup; start with DNS only.
  • Firewall & Ports: Make sure your CyberPanel server firewall allows HTTP/HTTPS traffic.

Summary Table

Step Action
Cloudflare DNS Add A record for subdomain ok.example.org pointing to CyberPanel server IP; start with DNS only
CyberPanel Create website for ok.example.org
Upload CMS Upload files to /home/ok.example.org/public_html
Test Visit http://ok.example.org to confirm working
Cloudflare Proxy Enable proxy (orange cloud) once confirmed
SSL Issue Let’s Encrypt SSL via CyberPanel for ok.example.org