cPanel DNS settings for Wildcard Subdomain + SSL Support

The cPanel integration enables automated DNS management for your SaaS tenants using wildcard subdomains (e.g., *.yourcrm.com). This setup simplifies tenant provisioning by eliminating the need to manually configure DNS records for every new tenant.


βœ… Prerequisites

Ensure the following before proceeding:

  • Your domain (e.g., yourcrm.com) is added and hosted on a cPanel account.

  • You have access to WHM (or full cPanel DNS and SSL management permissions).

  • A wildcard SSL certificate (Let’s Encrypt, AutoSSL, or custom) is installed or ready to install.

  • The domain’s DNS is managed via cPanel or your DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare).


πŸ” Step 1: Add Wildcard DNS Record

Option 1: DNS Managed by cPanel (Zone Editor)

  1. Log in to cPanel.

  2. Navigate to: Domains β†’ Zone Editor.

  3. Click Manage next to yourcrm.com.

  4. Click Add Record and enter:

    • Type: A

    • Name: *.yourcrm.com (or just * depending on interface)

    • Address: <Your Server IP>

  5. Click Save Record.

Option 2: External DNS Provider (e.g., Cloudflare)

  1. Log in to your DNS provider’s dashboard.

  2. Add an A record with:

    • Type: A

    • Name: * or *.yourcrm.com

    • Value: <Your Server IP>

    • TTL: Auto or 300


🌐 Step 2: Create Wildcard Subdomain in cPanel

  1. Log in to cPanel.

  2. Go to Domains β†’ Subdomains.

  3. Under Create a Subdomain:

    • Subdomain: Enter *

    • Domain: Select yourcrm.com

    • Document Root: (e.g., public_html)

  4. Click Create.

πŸ“ If cPanel doesn’t allow * as a subdomain:

  • You must manually edit Apache configs via WHM or root shell (advanced).

  • Or request hosting provider support to enable wildcard subdomains.


πŸ” Step 3: Install Wildcard SSL Certificate

Wildcard certificates require DNS-01 challenge verification.

Option A: AutoSSL (WHM or cPanel)

  1. Navigate to SSL/TLS β†’ Manage SSL Sites.

  2. Check if AutoSSL has installed a wildcard certificate:

    • If not, go to SSL/TLS β†’ Let's Encrypt or AutoSSL panel in WHM.

  3. Enable:

    • βœ… Secure wildcard domain via DNS-01.

  4. If needed, add the required TXT record in your DNS zone.

  5. Run AutoSSL again or complete manual verification.

  6. Once verified, install the wildcard certificate.


βœ… You’re Done!

Your cPanel server is now configured to handle wildcard subdomains and SSL for SaaS tenants under *.yourcrm.com.

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