How to Create Subdomains in cPanel

A subdomain is an extension of your primary domain name that allows you to create independent sections of your website without purchasing a new domain. Subdomains are commonly used for organizing large websites or separating different types of content. For instance, if you run a business website under example.com, you might create subdomains like shop.example.com for an online store or blog.example.com for a blog.

By using subdomains, you can create a unique experience for users while keeping everything under your main domain. They are also useful for testing new features or creating regional versions of your website, like us.example.com or uk.example.com.

• Why Use Subdomains?
• Create a Subdomain
• Managing Your Subdomain
• When to Use Subdomains

Why Use Subdomains?

Subdomains offer several advantages:

• Organization: Easily separate different sections of your website.
• SEO Benefits: Subdomains can rank independently on search engines, which could improve visibility for specialized content.
• No Need for New Domain: You can create new sections of your site without purchasing additional domain names.

Now, let’s go through the step-by-step process of creating a subdomain in cPanel.

Steps to Create a Subdomain:

1. Login to cPanel :

   • Start by logging into your cPanel account. To do this, open your browser and type yourdomain.com/cpanel in the address bar.
   • A login page will appear. Enter the username and password associated with your cPanel account and click "Log In."

2. Locate the Subdomains Feature:

   • After logging in, you will be taken to the cPanel dashboard. Here, you need to find the Domains section, which contains all domain-related settings.
   • Click on Subdomains to access the subdomain management interface.

3. Create Your Subdomain:

   • In the Subdomains section, you will see a form labeled "Create a Subdomain."
   • In the Subdomain field, enter the name you want for your subdomain (for example, shop or blog).
   • Next, select the domain you want to attach this subdomain to from the dropdown list if you manage more than one domain.
   • cPanel will automatically generate the Document Root, which is the folder where all files for the subdomain will be stored. This path usually looks like /public_html/shop for a subdomain like shop.example.com. You can change this path if you wish, but it is recommended to keep the default unless you have specific reasons.

4. Finalize the Subdomain Creation:

   • Once you've filled in the required fields, click the Create button.
   • cPanel will now create the subdomain. This process might take a few moments, and once done, you’ll see a confirmation message that the subdomain has been successfully created.

5. Uploading Content to Your Subdomain:

   • Your subdomain is now active, but it needs content. To add files, navigate to File Manager from the main cPanel dashboard or use an FTP client if you prefer.
   • You will find a folder corresponding to your subdomain under the public_html directory (for example, /public_html/shop).
   • You can upload HTML, PHP, or other types of files directly into this folder, and they will be accessible from the subdomain URL.

6. Testing the Subdomain:

   • After uploading the necessary content, test your subdomain to ensure it’s working properly.
   • Open a web browser and enter the subdomain URL (for example, shop.example.com). If everything was set up correctly, the browser should display the content you uploaded.
   • If the subdomain is not yet visible, it may take a few minutes for DNS settings to propagate. You can also try clearing your browser’s cache or checking your DNS settings if there are issues.

Managing Your Subdomain:

• Once the subdomain is created, it functions like any other part of your website. You can manage files, install scripts, or even set up a separate content management system (CMS) like WordPress specifically for the subdomain.
• Additionally, subdomains have their own directory and database configurations, allowing you to keep them entirely independent from the main domain.

When to Use Subdomains:

• Business Expansion: If you're planning to expand your business offerings, creating a subdomain like store.example.com can separate your e-commerce section from your informational site.
• Regional Websites: If your business operates in multiple countries, using subdomains like us.example.com or uk.example.com helps localize the content for each audience.
• Testing Environments: You can use subdomains like test.example.com to develop and test new features without affecting the live website.

Important Tips:

• SSL Certificates: Ensure that your subdomain is secured by an SSL certificate. Many hosting providers include subdomains under a wildcard SSL certificate, but you may need to check or purchase one separately.
• DNS Settings: Subdomains may require DNS propagation, which could take a few minutes to a few hours to complete.