How to Create Subdomains: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Subdomains are a precious point of domain operation, allowing you to produce distinct sections or web applications within your primary domain. Whether you want to set up a blog, a separate online store, or a testing terrain, subdomains give an systematized way to structure your website. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating subdomains for your website.

What Is a Subdomain?

Before we begin, let’s clarify what a subdomain is. A subdomain is an additional part of your main domain, typically represented as “subdomain.yourdomain.com.” For example, if your primary domain is “example.com,” a subdomain could be “blog.example.com.” Subdomains are useful for creating separate web sections with unique content and functionality.

Step 1: Access Your Domain Hosting Control Panel

To create subdomains, you’ll need access to your domain hosting control panel, which is usually provided by your web hosting provider. Popular control panels include cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin. Log in to your control panel using your hosting account credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to the Subdomains Section

Inside your control panel, look for the “Subdomains” or “Subdomain Manager” option. It may be located in different sections or under a specific domain management category, depending on your control panel’s layout.

Step 3: Create a New Subdomain

Follow these steps to create a new subdomain:

1. Choose the Domain: If you have multiple domains associated with your hosting account, select the domain for which you want to create a subdomain.
2. Enter the Subdomain Name: In the subdomain creation form, specify the subdomain name you want to create (e.g., “blog” for “blog.example.com”). Avoid using spaces or special characters in the subdomain name.
3. Document Root: The “Document Root” or “Directory” field determines where the subdomain’s files will be stored on your server. By default, this field may auto-fill based on the subdomain name. You can typically leave this as is unless you have a specific directory in mind.
4. Create the Subdomain: Click the “Create” or “Add Subdomain” button to finalize the subdomain creation.

Step 4: DNS Configuration

In most cases, your hosting control panel will automatically configure the DNS settings for your new subdomain. However, it may take some time (usually a few hours to propagate) before your subdomain becomes fully functional. During this period, you may see an “Under Construction” or default page when accessing your subdomain.

Step 5: Upload Content or Configure Settings

Once your subdomain is created and its DNS records have propagated, you can start adding content or configuring settings specific to your subdomain. You can install a separate web application, set up a blog, or create any other type of web content tailored to your needs.

Step 6: Test Your Subdomain

After setting up your subdomain and adding content, be sure to test it thoroughly to ensure that it functions as intended. Check for any issues with links, functionality, and appearance.

Conclusion

Creating subdomains is a valuable skill for organizing and expanding your website’s content and functionality. Whether you want to add new sections, create distinct web applications, or set up test environments, subdomains offer a flexible and structured solution. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create and manage subdomains for your website.