A subdomain is a separate section of your main domain that works like its own website, using a prefix in front of your domain name. Common examples are blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com, ou support.yourdomain.com. Subdomains are free to create with your existing domain and are a tidy way to organise different parts of your online presence without registering a brand new domain.
Why use a subdomain? #
Subdomains let you keep related but distinct content separate, both for visitors and for search engines. They are useful when a section of your site has its own purpose, audience, or software. Typical uses include:
- A blog: blog.yourdomain.com kept separate from your main marketing pages.
- An online store: shop.yourdomain.com running e-commerce software.
- A help centre: support.yourdomain.com or docs.yourdomain.com.
- A staging or test site: dev.yourdomain.com for trying changes safely.
Because a subdomain can run its own application, you can, for example, host WordPress on your main domain and a completely different tool on a subdomain.
How to create a subdomain #
Creating a subdomain takes only a minute in your control panel. The exact labels vary slightly between DirectAdmin and cPanel, but the flow is the same:
- Connectez-vous à votre panneau de configuration.
- Ouvrir le Subdomains ou Domaines section.
- Enter the prefix you want, such as blog.
- Confirm the folder (document root) where its files will live.
- Save, and the subdomain is created.
Your control panel automatically adds the DNS record needed to make the subdomain resolve, so there is usually nothing further to configure.
Adding content to your subdomain #
Each subdomain has its own folder on the server. To build it out, upload files into that folder or install an application there. If you want WordPress on your subdomain, you can use a one-click installer and simply choose the subdomain as the install location. Remember to enable SSL for the subdomain so it also loads securely with the padlock.
Subdomain vs. subfolder #
You may wonder whether to use a subdomain (blog.yourdomain.com) or a subfolder (yourdomain.com/blog). Both are valid. A subfolder keeps everything under one site and is often simpler for SEO, while a subdomain is better when the section needs to run separately or use different software. Choose based on how independent the section needs to be.
Dépannage #
- Subdomain not loading: allow a little time for the DNS record to take effect.
- Pas de cadenas : issue or renew the SSL certificate for the subdomain.
- Wrong content appears: check that files are in the subdomain’s own folder.
Besoin d'aide ? #
If your subdomain is not resolving as expected, our support team can check the configuration for you over live chat.
