If you are involved in managing websites or administering your company’s online content, it is essential to understand the vital role of subdomains.
This technical term refers to an essential part of a website’s structure, allowing for the hierarchical and efficient organization of different sections or functionalities. If you have ever wondered about the strategic need to implement a subdomain on your website, this article will offer detailed clarifications.
Read on to discover everything it’s crucial to know about subdomains and how they can optimize your business’s online presence.
What is a subdomain?
To understand what a subdomain is you must first understand what a domain is. This is the website address, something like www.waleotech.com However, this link will take the user to the website’s home page, which may contain other parts.
It is normal for a company website to have a part dedicated to talking about the history of the organization, another that presents the services offered, a third with the location and a contact form, one with a blog, etc.
In this case, each of these parts can have a subdomain, which is the domain, added to the name of the page. For example, tech.waleotech.com
How to use a subdomain?
When deciding how to use a subdomain, it is essential to understand that virtually any name can be chosen for this extension. Choosing a subdomain carefully can enhance the user experience and organization of your website.
Consider the example of the subdomain “tech.waleotech.com”. Here, “tech” represents a specific part of the website, such as a contact page or a unique service. By implementing this naming structure, you create a clear and intuitive hierarchy of information, making it easier for visitors to navigate and understand the structure of your site.
Other considerations are also important when using subdomains:
- consistency in naming: When creating subdomains, it is crucial to maintain consistent naming to ensure clarity and cohesion throughout your site. Choose names that relate to the content or purpose of each section;
- content management: each subdomain can have its content management system, allowing appropriate customization according to the specific needs of each area of the website. Make sure to choose appropriate platforms and tools for each subdomain, ensuring efficiency in content management;
- Redirects and Technical Settings: When implementing subdomains, it is important to configure appropriate redirects to ensure a seamless user experience. Additionally, consider security settings, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), for each subdomain, ensuring visitor data is protected across all parts of the site.
What are the differences between domain, subdomain, subdirectory, and parked domain?
As we explained, a subdomain is an extension of the main domain, allowing different sections or functionalities of the website to be organized hierarchically.
They are preceded by a prefix before the main domain. For example, in “blog.example.com”, “blog” is the subdomain of “example.com”. Subdomains are useful for separating distinct areas of a website, such as a blog, forum, or online store.
To make it even clearer, here we explain the differences for other elements of a website.
Domain
The domain is the unique and exclusive address of a website on the internet. It is the main name that people type into the browser’s address bar to access a specific website. For example, in “www.example.com”, “example.com” is the domain.
Subdirectory
A subdirectory is a folder located within the website’s main domain. It follows the domain name in the address bar and is used to organize content within the website. For example, in “www.example.com/blog”, “blog” is the subdirectory. Subdirectories are useful for categorizing different types of content on a website, such as articles, images, or videos.
Parked domain
A parked domain is an additional domain name that points to the same website as the main domain. In other words, it is an alias for the main domain, allowing the site to be accessed by different domain names.
For example, if “example.com” is the main domain, “example.net” could be a parked domain that takes visitors to the same content as “example.com”. Parked domains are mainly used for branding, traffic redirection, or brand protection purposes.
Should I or should I not have a subdomain on my company website?
Subdomains are relevant in different situations, even to better locate the user in each section of the website. It is also recommended that subdomains be used in marketing campaigns or to host landing pages.
For example, a specific page, that only talks about a single product that your company sells, could be called products.waleotech.com. The same can be done for tests that are carried out internally and that you do not yet want to be released to the general public.
It is worth remembering that these subdomains can be deleted at any time, without causing damage to the main website. So, if your company wants to have a page just to explain the regulations or provide the registration form for a promotion, you can do this and, after the valid registration period ends, delete the page.
However, there are some situations in which caution is necessary when using a subdomain. This is justified by the fact that many of these names can confuse the minds of users, who may have difficulty accessing the site. Think strategically to know when or not to use subdomains, therefore.
How to create a subdomain in cPanel?
Your hosting’s cPanel is the place used to create subdomains for a website. To do this, you need to locate a specific section of the panel that contains subdomain management.
When you create a new subdomain in cPanel, it will automatically add a directory to your hosting, where the files that will be made available on the new page will remain.
It is also important to note that, in addition to a directory on the hosting, it is common for subdomains to also be directed to another server, as well as to an IP external to the hosting.
This type of strategy is useful when the company has a website and a blog and wants the user to find the same content on two pages. In this way, the company’s blog addresses could be, for example, waleotech.com/blog and blog.waleotech.com, with both pointing to the same content.
Is it possible to create a subdomain on Joomla, and have a website on WordPress?
This is a very common question among those responsible for company websites. It is not uncommon for websites created using CRM, such as WordPress, to wish to have a subdomain in Joomla, or vice versa.
This is possible, as the creation of a subdomain does not depend on the programming language or platform used. It is related to hosting, so the subdomain can be directed to different directories when created in cPanel, as explained previously.
Therefore, if you have a WordPress website and want to create a subdomain with the Joomla platform, you can direct the link to a different directory and install the other CRM there.
Is the subdomain the same as the subdirectory?
Many people tend to confuse subdomain with subdirectory. It is necessary, however, to highlight that they are not synonymous and each of them has a specific meaning.
The subdomain is a branch of the domain, an address that has a name or text added to the main domain, as is the case with blog.waleotech.com. The subdirectory is a folder created automatically through the main website, as is the case with waleotech.com/blog.
Multiple subdirectories can be grouped, but this is not recommended. This can generate very large URLs, which can make accessing certain types of content difficult.
When is it better to use a subdomain or subdirectory?
Subdomains and subdirectories are ways of organizing a website’s content, but some differences between them can affect SEO and user experience. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to use one or the other.
Subdomains
By opting for subdomains, the company has the opportunity to create websites or applications independent of its main domain. This implies that each subdomain has its own URL and domain authority, enabling independent indexing and ranking by search engines.
Additionally, subdomains are ideal for targeting website or app traffic. For example, an e-commerce company can use a subdomain for its online store, while another subdomain can be dedicated to the company’s blog. This approach allows for specific tracking and analysis for each subdomain, making it easier to understand user behavior.
Another advantage is trademark protection. If the company has a registered trademark for a specific product or service, creating a subdomain dedicated to that brand not only reinforces the online presence of that product or service but also helps legally protect the trademark.
Subdirectories
On the other hand, when choosing subdirectories, the domain authority of the main site is maintained. Subdirectories share this authority, which can boost the main site’s rankings in search engines.
Additionally, subdirectories are a great option for creating an organized website structure. They allow for the logical organization of content, making user navigation more intuitive. This significantly contributes to the user experience, providing a more pleasant and productive visit to the website.
Another benefit of subdirectories is the possibility of taking advantage of an existing high-authority domain. If the company already has a domain with a good reputation, adding subdirectories to host new content does not negatively affect this authority, allowing the site to expand without compromising its ranking in search results.
Ultimately, the choice between subdomains and subdirectories should be made considering the specific needs of the company. There is no definitive rule, as the ideal decision depends on the context and particular objectives of each case.
Why using multiple domains and extensions might be a good idea?
Using multiple domains and extensions can be a valuable strategy in certain contexts. A common reason is to protect the brand by purchasing domain variations related to the company name to prevent them from being used by malicious third parties.
Additionally, when creating sites specific to different markets or regions, using domain extensions specific to those regions (such as .br for Brazil or .uk for the United Kingdom) can increase local relevance and improve SEO in those areas.
Variety of content and target audience
Using different domains and extensions can allow you to serve different audiences or niche markets. Multiple domains are ideal for businesses that offer a variety of products or services, each with its dedicated website.
Geographic targeting
Using country-specific domains (like .us for the USA) helps you segment your audience geographically, tailoring content and offers for different regions.
Brand protection
Registering different variations of your main domain helps protect your brand online by preventing competitors or cybersquatters from using similar names to confuse customers.
SEO and marketing
Having specific domains for products or services can improve search engine optimization (SEO) for specific keywords.
Digital marketing strategies such as PPC (Pay-Per-Click) campaigns can benefit from specific domains that match the keywords used by potential customers.
By considering these options, companies can create a flexible and adaptable online presence, meeting the needs of different audiences and marketing strategies.
Is it possible to create an online store on a subdomain?
Another question that many companies have is about hosting online stores on a subdomain. Yes, this is possible, and the configuration can even be on different servers or platforms, as previously mentioned.
Creating an e-commerce site separate from the website is useful for companies that find it interesting to separate their direct sales channel from the organization’s institutional page. The same can be done with blogs, for example, which can have an exclusive subdomain so that content marketing strategies can be carried out there.
Did you understand what a subdomain is? So, now you know that whenever you need to create a content page for your website, you will need to create a subdomain.
We hope that our tips have been useful to you and that you can put them into practice in your company. More interesting materials like this can be found on our social networks, so follow us on X and like our page on Facebook to keep up to date with our publications.
