A subdomain is a prefix added to your domain name (e.g. blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com). Subdomains can point to different directories on your server, effectively allowing you to run separate websites or applications under the same domain.
Please note: Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version and hosting plan.
Creating a Subdomain
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- In the Domains section, click Domains.
- Click Create A New Domain.
- Enter the full subdomain (e.g.
blog.yourdomain.com). - Set the Document Root to the directory where this subdomain's files will be stored (e.g.
public_html/blog). - Click Submit.
Common Uses for Subdomains
- blog.yourdomain.com — A separate blog or WordPress installation.
- shop.yourdomain.com — An e-commerce storefront.
- staging.yourdomain.com — A testing/staging copy of your website.
- mail.yourdomain.com — Commonly used for webmail access.
- app.yourdomain.com — A web application.
Managing Subdomains
To modify or remove a subdomain:
- Go to Domains.
- Find the subdomain in the list.
- Click Manage to change the document root, or Remove to delete it.
Tips
- Subdomains are treated as separate websites by search engines, which can be beneficial for SEO if the content is distinct.
- Each subdomain can have its own SSL certificate. AutoSSL typically covers subdomains automatically.
- Wildcard subdomains (e.g.
*.yourdomain.com) can be configured via the Zone Editor if your hosting provider supports them. - Subdomains don't count towards addon domain limits on most hosting plans.
What Next?
- Setting Up Domain Aliases (Parked Domains) — Point multiple domains to the same content.
- Managing DNS Records (Zone Editor) — Manually configure subdomain DNS if needed.
