Help a first timer with a transfer?

I just recently purchased a hostgator hosting account, and would like two of my domains from godaddy to be hosted there.

I'm not quite sure where to even start, but I got an email from hostgator with my nameservers. So far I logged into godaddy domain panel and changed the old nameservers of the two domains to the new ones I got in the email...

what do i do next?
thanks guys

 

Just enter the nameservers to both of your domains. Once you do that go to cpanel with hostgator and there is an option called add-on domain which will all point to same hosting account under a subdirectory

 

He's right, then use your FTP to load the files into the sub-directories (addon domains)

 

thanks for the help, updates to follow..

 

I tested with my small add-on domain and it worked fine. Now I'm ready to try my primary domain.
I don't want it included as a 'subdomain' so where should I upload the site files?

should they be in the root of the www folder? in their own directory alongside my add-on domains?

 

Addon domain in cPanel is a sub-folder of the main domain. If you dont like that, you will need other control panels like DirectAdmin. Or you will need to have permission to change apache configuration, that is not possible in your case

 

^ how do I add files to that 'main domain'?
i've got the 'addons' figured out...
thx

 

all files will need to be uploaded into public_html folder

 

if i read it correctly,

yes create addons for your additinoal domain names. it will act as main.

for example:

you registered with domain.com for hosting.

you want to add domain2.com.

in your cpanel/contorl panel addon that domain2.com

log into your ftp and upload all files for domain2.com to "created subfolder" of domain.com.
AKA, access domain.com ftp, you will find folder domain2.com. Upload in there.

And calling domain.com and domain2.com will each have seperate and act as main for each.

 

i'm asking about where domain1's files go...
I have an index file in public_html, but typing in the ip address gator sent me in an email, still takes me to their parked page

 

If you have dedicated IP, then you can use it. However, if you dont buy dedicated IP, I think it's a shared IP, that HG provides in case you are using third party dns, not their dns.

 

so all domains, even the main domain, go into the system as add ons?

 

no after you loginto ftp, what you see after you enter public_html is for main domain.
all main domain files go to immediate space you got to after entering public_html folder.

if you put add on there will be new folder created in public_html with your addon domain name
that folder (or directory) is where files for 2nd domain will go.

the more addon, more folders created under public_html

 

great guys. I think I've got it all set up.
reps added
thanks

 

I'm also doing a domain DNS transfer for the first time. I added the domain to cpanel and changed the DNS servers at Namecheap.com to the local host one. Well anyway, does this process take place instantly or do I have to wait for the domain name to transfer?

 

it depends on each ISP. Usually, the registrar updates dns records within few minutes, but ISPs will take hours, or days.

 

So I assume this entire process is automated? Thanks for the help.