Everything You Need To Know About Subdomains

Beyond this, the fact that search engines interpret well-segmented websites as a sign of good website management means that SEO efforts are recognized. Let’s dive in and explore everything there is to know about subdomains and all their benefits.

What is a subdomain?

A subdomain is an additional part of your main domain name, which allows you to create distinct sections that act as standalone entities of your website.

To easily distinguish root domains from subdomains, think of it like this: while a root domain is the main address of a website (take bestreviews.net as an example), a subdomain is a prefix added to the root domain, such as vps-hosting.bestreviews.net. Here, ‘vps-hosting’ takes center stage as a subdomain, making its own statement while still being firmly rooted in the main domain.

When it comes to divisions of a domain name, it’s important to keep subdirectories in mind. In contrast to a subdomain, a subdirectory is an extension of the root domain’s path, as can be exemplified in bestreviews.net/vps. Although they appear to be similar in some ways, there are some technical differences between the two:

The difference between subdomains and subdirectories

While subdomains create separate sections with unique web addresses, subdirectories are folders within the main domain.

Subdomains can have their own design, content, and server settings, making them ideal for distinct website sections. On the other hand, subdirectories are integrated within the main domain and share their settings.

Several factors need to be considered when deciding between subdomains and subdirectories, as they both have their own attributes that suit different approaches. For instance, subdirectories are known for:

• SEO concentration: Subdirectories contribute to a cohesive SEO strategy, since the root domain’s settings are shared through all the sections.
• Simplicity: As subdirectories are all under one domain, it becomes simpler to manage your website.
• Shared resources: Again, since subdirectories share the same resources, such as SSL certificates, this approach can end up being more cost-effective.

Meanwhile, subdomains are known for:

• Isolation: subdomains offer greater separation, allowing distinct environments for different types of content within a website.
• Brand identity: Since they make it possible to have unique sections, going for subdomains can help enhance brand identity.
• Content management: The degree of separation comes in handy when different sections of your website require separate content management systems or platforms.
• Scalability: If you predict substantial growth of specific areas within your website, using subdomains can facilitate easier resource allocation and scalability.

In the end, considering factors like hierarchy, SEO goals, and maintenance efforts is the key to finding the best approach. Both options have different advantages, and your choice should always be aligned with your website goals and objectives.

Why should you use subdomains?

There’s no doubt that using subdomains to their full potential can enhance the performance of your website. Here are the main benefits of implementing subdomains:

• Organizational structure: Subdomains allow you to categorize content and services effectively, improving navigation for users.
• Multilingual and multiregional content: It’s easier to reach a global audience by creating subdomains for different languages and regions.
• Isolated development environments: Subdomains provide isolated spaces for testing and development without affecting the main website.
• Targeted marketing campaigns: Creating a focused landing page becomes easier by devoting subdomains to specific marketing initiatives.
• Enhanced security: You can enforce HTTPS/SSL for specific subdomains, boosting security for sensitive data.

How to create a subdomain

How subdomains are created depends heavily on your hosting provider – mostly because of the differences between control panels. However, the job is straightforward once you know how to navigate the assigned dashboard.

Here’s how to create subdomains using Name.com‘s cPanel:

1. Log in to your hosting Name.com cPanel.
2. Navigate to the Domain page.
3. Click ‘Create a New Domain’.
4. Provide a name and path.
5. Click submit.
6. Go back to the main dashboard.
7. Go to the DNS Management section.
8. Select your add-on domain.
9. Click the DNS Template button.
10. Adjust accordingly.
11. Click the ‘Confirm’ button to add the DNS records.
12. Your new subdomains are functional and ready to go!