When website owners ask, "What is a subdomain?" they're often unaware of the powerful tool that can revolutionize their site's structure. A subdomain is essentially a subset of your main domain that appears before your primary domain name in the URL.
It works by creating separate sections on your website to let you organize content more effectively. Ignoring subdomains can cost you time and effort because they offer incredible flexibility in website management.
However, if you still do not have one or don't know how to create one, keep reading to learn everything you should know about a subdomain.
What Is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a prefix added to a website's domain name to separate specific sections of your main website. It helps site owners organize content, such as blogs, online stores, job boards, or support platforms, into separate sections.
For example, “blog.abc.com” is a subdomain of the domain “abc.com”. Organizing sites is the core task of subdomains. However, it works in many ways to let you manage the entire site more efficiently with proper divisions. You can use it to host blogs, online stores, or language versions of a site.
Note: To have a subdomain for the blog, you must need lots of blogs. Instead of hiring full-time writers, you can generate informative blogs yourself. Learn how to start a blog.
Each subdomain can point to a different server or have an SSL certificate. It lets you create distinct areas for different content or services. They make it easy to separate and manage different parts of the website, too.
Search engines view subdomains as separate websites from the main domain. Consequently, the process of indexing and ranking content is affected. So, to structure websites logically and efficiently, subdomains are the most integral parts.
Subdomains vs. Subdirectories
As I've already mentioned, a subdomain is a prefix you can add to your main domain name. It'll appear before your main domain name in the URL, and a separate section of your website will be created.
On the contrary, a subdirectory is a hierarchical division within your main domain structure. It appears after your domain name in the URL as a suffix.
Subdomains and subdirectories differ in their structure, SEO implications, and how they organize content.
Subdomains create distinct sections that are treated as separate websites, often with their own server configurations.
Subdirectories, on the other hand, are parts of the main website's structure. They share the same server setup.
This difference affects aspects like SEO, content management, and technical implementation.
Let’s check out the below table to understand the differences more clearly:
| Feature | Subdomain | Subdirectory |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | blog.abc.com | abc.com/blog |
| Content Separation | Acts as a separate site | Part of the main site |
| SEO Impact | Can dilute link authority as search engines treat it as a separate website. | Keeps link authority consolidated, as it's treated as part of the main domain. |
| Server Configuration | Often requires a separate setup | Uses existing website setup |
| Branding Flexibility | Can have distinct branding | Usually consistent with main site branding |
| Implementation Complexity | Higher | Lower |
| Analytics Tracking | Requires a separate setup | Easier to track within the main domain |
| Cross-domain Functionality | May face cross-domain issues | No cross-domain concerns |
Before having a subdomain or subdirectory, you must get your website. Do you have one, or are you planning to create one? If you are still planning, learn how to create a website with AI.
Why Should You Use A Subdomain?
A subdomain is a great tool for organizing and managing different parts of your website. Here’s why you should consider using a subdomain:
Content Separation
Subdomains let you separate different types of content on your website. This separation approach helps your users find what they're looking for more easily. You can use "blog.abc.com" for your blog posts and "shop.abc.com" for your online store.
These two subdomains make clear divisions, and this approach improves user experience while simplifying navigation. It also helps you manage content more effectively on the backend.
Organizing Websites
Subdomains are like the saver for large websites with different types of content. They provide a logical structure to your site. Each subdomain can function as its own mini-site within your main domain.
This organization is particularly useful for companies with multiple products, services, or departments. It lets you create distinct areas for each category. Thus, it makes things easier for both you and your visitors to navigate the site's content.
However, if you have a plan to create a personal website, you should check on some inspiring personal website examples.
Business and Branding
To brand different aspects of your business, subdomains make things a lot more flexible. You can create unique identities for different products or services while still maintaining a connection to your main brand.
For instance, "project1.abc.com" and "project2.abc.com" are two different subdomains that let you brand individual projects separately. This approach is also useful for companies with multiple brands under one umbrella.
SEO Optimization
As I mentioned earlier, subdomains are treated as separate entities by search engines. That's the reason they can affect SEO. They let you target specific keywords more effectively.
Besides, each subdomain can focus on a particular topic or theme to improve its ranking for related searches. However, when you use subdomains, the SEO value from backlinks doesn't easily pass between the subdomain and the main domain. This means that any SEO benefits gained by the subdomain won't directly improve the main domain's ranking.
When it’s about SEO, you should never ignore things that work. Here are some SEO best practices you can follow to rank your content higher.
Increase Traffic
Subdomains can also help increase overall traffic to your website. On specific subdomains, your content will be focused, which is quite efficient in attracting audiences who are interested in relevant topics.
These targeted subdomains can rank well for long-tail keywords and finally, bring more organic traffic. Additionally, multiple subdomains increase your overall online presence and finally result in more backlinks and improved visibility in search results.
When You Need to Use A Subdomain?
You must understand when utilizing a subdomain is the best option, as creating a subdomain is not always necessary. Let’s check out for what specific purposes you should create a subdomain:
1. Hosting a Blog
If your business website doesn’t have a built-in blogging platform, you need to create a subdomain, as it could be a great option. Creating a subdomain lets you keep your blog content separate from your main site.
At the same time, it helps you maintain brand consistency. Blogs on subdomains are also easier to manage and organize. It doesn't even affect the rest of your site’s structure.
2. Launching a Product Landing Page
When you launch a new product, a subdomain will help you create a dedicated landing page that highlights the product's features. That specific landing page will solely showcase the new product to grab the attention of the audience.
It will keep the subdomain separate from your main site while highlighting focused information. As a result, it becomes easier to run targeted marketing campaigns and track performance.
3. Creating a Multilingual Website
Managing a multilingual website is quite complex. You can use subdomains to separate your site's version of different languages. If your primary site is in English, you can create subdomains like 'es.abc.com' or 'fr.abc.com' for Spanish and French versions of your site.
This strategy lets you present content in different languages while maintaining the same website structure. As a consequence, the user experience will be much better for international visitors.
4. Developing a Mobile Version of a Website
It's almost impossible to make a successful website without focusing on responsiveness. That's why most websites now focus on mobile-first design, especially for smartphone users. Still, there are times when you may need a mobile-specific version.
Using a subdomain lets you create a site version that is specifically optimized for mobile devices. This approach is helpful if you need to offer a simpler design, faster load times, or mobile-specific features that aren’t necessary on the desktop version.
Here’s the good news. With modern website builders, you don’t need to worry about creating a subdomain for the mobile version. These builders make your site automatically responsive for devices of all sizes.
5. Running a Marketing Campaign
To run a targeted marketing campaign, you may need to create a subdomain for a better outcome and tracking. If you have a seasonal or limited-time offer, you can create a subdomain using the terms like 'promo' or 'offer.'
With these terms, you can host campaign-specific content. This approach isolates the campaign from your main site and provides a dedicated space for tracking conversions and analytics.
6. Setting Up a Customer Support Portal
If your business needs a customer support portal, it's another case when you should use a subdomain. A subdomain with a term like 'support' can guide users with FAQs, contact forms, and other support resources.
In this case, using a subdomain is a smarter choice because it makes things easier for your users without cluttering your main site. It also improves the overall user satisfaction of your site.
7. Managing an Online Community or Forum
Some websites have active communities or forums. A subdomain can keep the conversation separate from your main site for a better organizing system. A subdomain with terms like 'forum' provides a dedicated space for users to interact, discuss topics, and share ideas.
This system helps in managing content better and keeps your main site focused on its primary purpose. At the same time, it provides you with sufficient space for community engagement.
How to Create a Subdomain
Now, you must be thinking about creating a subdomain, right? It's easy and quick. Here are the few steps you need to follow to create a subdomain:
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Log into cPanel: First, you need to access the hosting provider’s cPanel. To do so, enter your username and password to log in.
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Find the 'Domains' Section: Once you get access, visit the cPanel dashboard. Now, scroll down or use the search bar to find the 'Domains' section. Under this section, you'll find the option Subdomains. Click on it.
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Create a New Subdomain: In the Subdomains section, you’ll see a field for creating a new subdomain. This is the ultimate option you'll use to create the subdomains you need.
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Name Your Subdomain: Now, type the name for the subdomain you want to create. Here, you need to enter the name of the subdomain that will sit with the domain address.
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Select the 'Share Document Root' Option: By default, cPanel may set your subdomain to share the same root directory as the main domain. You need to deselect this option if you want your subdomain to have its own separate directory.
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Click 'Create': Finally, click the Create button. Now, it'll take only a few minutes to make your subdomain ready to work.
So, these are all you need to do to create a new subdomain. You can create multiple subdomains according to your needs following the same way. However, if you’ve built your website with Dorik, you can learn more about how to create and connect a subdomain on Dorik.
FAQs
Are subdomains free?
Yes, you’ll get free subdomain options when you buy a domain. However, they won’t be added automatically when you buy the domain. You have to create one if you need to. Most hosting providers let you create subdomains at no additional cost.
There can be limitations to the number of subdomains you want to create according to the hosting plan.
What is the difference between a subdomain and a domain?
A domain is the primary address of a website and a subdomain is the extension of that domain. A subdomain usually acts as a separate section of the main site. For example, blog.abc.com is the subdomain of the main domain, abc.com.
Is a subdomain better for SEO?
Yes, subdomains are better for SEO. Subdomains can help organize content and rank well for specific topics, but they divide SEO value between the subdomain and the main domain. To implement more SEO aspects, you should use these top AI tools for SEO.
End Note
If you are about to host a blog, launch a product, or run a marketing campaign, subdomains can be a smart option for you. Using a subdomain is an effective way to organize your website and offer specialized content or services.
They provide a clean, professional way to manage multiple aspects of your online presence without overcrowding your main domain. Hopefully, you've learned what a subdomain is and how it works. Now, it's your turn to implement what you learned from this blog on your website for a better outcome.
