Knowledgebase

Subdomains are a great way to organize your website and offer different content or functionalities under the same main domain. Think of them as sections within your website. For example, if your domain is yourdomain.com, you could create subdomains like blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com, or support.yourdomain.com. This article will guide you through setting up subdomains using cPanel, the control panel provided with your HostedLight hosting account.

What are Subdomains?

A subdomain is a part of your main domain that comes before the main domain name. It's separated by a dot. So, in blog.yourdomain.com, "blog" is the subdomain. It essentially acts as a separate website but is still connected to your main domain.

Why Use Subdomains?

Subdomains offer several benefits:

• Organization: They help you organize your website content into logical sections.
• Branding: They allow you to create distinct sections for different aspects of your business or blog while maintaining a consistent brand.
• Functionality: They can be used to host different applications or platforms (like a forum, blog, or online store) on separate parts of your website.
• SEO: While the SEO impact of subdomains versus subdirectories (like yourdomain.com/blog) is debated, subdomains can be a good way to target specific keywords or audiences.

Setting Up Subdomains in cPanel:

Here's how to create a subdomain using cPanel:

1. Log in to cPanel: Access your cPanel account through the link provided in your welcome email or by going to yourdomain.com/cpanel (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name).

2. Navigate to Subdomains: In cPanel, find the "Domains" section and click on "Subdomains."

3. Create a New Subdomain: On the Subdomains page, you'll see a form to create a new subdomain. Fill in the following information:

   • Subdomain: Enter the desired subdomain (e.g., blog, shop, support).
   • Domain: Select the domain you want to create the subdomain for from the dropdown menu.
   • Document Root: This is the directory on your server where the files for the subdomain will be stored. cPanel usually suggests a default directory (like /public_html/blog), but you can change it if needed. It's important to remember this path, as this is where you'll upload your website files for the subdomain.

4. Click "Create": Once you've filled in the information, click the "Create" button.

Managing Your Subdomains:

After creating a subdomain, you can manage it through cPanel. Here are some common tasks:

• File Management: You can upload files for your subdomain to the specified document root directory using the File Manager in cPanel or via FTP.
• DNS Records: cPanel usually automatically creates the necessary DNS records for your subdomain. However, you might need to adjust them if you're using external services or have specific requirements.
• Deleting a Subdomain: You can delete a subdomain from the Subdomains page in cPanel. This will remove the subdomain and its associated files (unless you choose to keep the files).

Example: Setting up a blog subdomain:

Let's say you want to create a blog on blog.yourdomain.com.

1. You would enter "blog" in the Subdomain field.
2. Select yourdomain.com from the Domain dropdown.
3. cPanel might suggest a document root like /public_html/blog.
4. After creating the subdomain, you would then install your blogging software (like WordPress) into the /public_html/blog directory.

Important Considerations:

• Document Root: Make sure you understand the document root for your subdomain. This is where you'll need to upload your website files.
• DNS: While cPanel usually handles DNS automatically, it's good to understand how DNS works and how to manage your DNS records if needed.
• Content: Plan the content you'll host on your subdomain and how it will integrate with your main website.

Ready to organize your website with subdomains?

Setting up subdomains in cPanel is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your website's organization and functionality.

If you haven't already, sign up for a HostedLight hosting account today and start creating subdomains for your website. Visit HostedLight.com to choose the perfect plan for your needs.