How to Create and Host a Website in aaPanel

Once aaPanel is installed, adding a website is quick — the panel handles the web server configuration, the folder, and an optional database for you. This guide takes you from an empty panel to a live site. If you have not installed the panel yet, start with installing aaPanel on a Linux VPS.

Step 1: Add the website

Log in to aaPanel and open the Website section.
Click Add site.
Enter your domain name (for example yourdomain.com).
Optionally tick to create a database and a PHP version at the same time.
Click Submit.

aaPanel creates the site's folder, configures the web server, and — if you chose — sets up a database with its own user and password. Note those database details if you will install an application.

Step 2: Upload your website files

Use aaPanel's File manager (or FTP) to upload your site's files into the new site's root directory. For an application like WordPress, upload its files here, then run its installer pointing at the database aaPanel created.

Step 3: Point your domain to the server

For visitors to reach the site, your domain must point at the server's IP address. Update your domain's A record or nameservers — see pointing a domain with A records. Allow time for DNS propagation.

Step 4: Add SSL

Secure the site with a free certificate — see installing a free SSL certificate in aaPanel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to create a database when adding the site?

Only if your site needs one. Static HTML sites do not; applications like WordPress do. You can always add a database later from the Databases section.

My domain shows the default page, not my site.

Either your files are not in the correct site root, or DNS has not finished pointing to the server. Confirm the upload location and give propagation time.

Can I host multiple websites in aaPanel?

Yes. Repeat "Add site" for each domain. aaPanel manages many sites on one server, each with its own folder, database and settings.