Key takeaways:
- You can use subdomains to organize different parts of your website and route visitors to appropriate areas/sections/content you want them to see.
- Search engines treat subdomains as separate properties, and there are certain scenarios when they might be a better choice than subdirectories.
- There are specific best practices to follow when creating and managing subdomains, including naming conventions, internal linking strategies, and tips for tracking and testing.
A subdomain is a separate section of your website that exists under the main domain—like blog.yourwebsite.com. It functions almost like a separate website. It helps organize different parts of your website for users and search engines. Subdomains can be used to set up an online store, a help center, or a test site without affecting your main domain. Up next, we’ll explore how these subdomains navigation easier for visitors and search engines.
What is a subdomain and how does it work?
Below is an image of a URL structure.
A subdomain is part of your website’s DNS structure, which directs users to the right website content. For example, in the URL blog.yourwebsite.com, “blog” is the subdomain that tells the DNS to send visitors to a specific section of your site.
Each subdomain can point to its own directory or server, allowing it to operate independently from the main website. This makes it easier to manage different functions, like hosting a store, a support hub, or a testing environment, all under the same domain name.
Why should you use subdomains for your website?
Subdomains offer the flexibility to expand your site without starting from scratch. They’re great for keeping things organized and providing tailored experiences across different areas.
- Improved user experience. Visitors can navigate your site easily when content is grouped logically, with clear URLs like shop.yourwebsite.com or support.yourwebsite.com.
- SEO flexibility. Search engines treat subdomains as distinct properties, which can help you rank for different keywords across different sections. This is because each subdomain has its own domain authority and needs to be independently optimized.
- Easier testing and development. Need a test site or staging environment? Dedicated subdomains let you experiment without affecting your main site.
- Platform independence. You can run each subdomain on a different content management system or platform if needed—handy for teams managing separate parts of the business.
- Scalability. As your site grows, subdomains make it easy to add new features or sections without overcomplicating the main site structure.
Subdomain examples
Blog
A blog subdomain is a dedicated space for creating and managing valuable content. HubSpot’s blog (https://blog.hubspot.com/), for example, focuses on inbound marketing and is a key part of their content strategy. Subdomains make it easier to separate and optimize blog content from the main website. They also help improve SEO and target specific audience needs. This works by signaling relevance to search engines for specific queries and fostering engagement among visitors.
Support
Support subdomains offer a separate, structured platform for customer assistance. Google’s support site provides users with helpful guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting tools in a well-organized space. This separation makes it easier to manage and update resources, providing a better user experience and improving searchability.
International
International subdomains allow businesses to cater to specific geographic audiences by customizing content, language, and offers. For instance, Yahoo’s DE subdomain offers tailored news, advertisements, and features suited to German users. This approach enhances local relevance and engagement while helping businesses expand their global reach.
Mobile
Mobile subdomains provide a streamlined version of a site optimized for smaller screens. Facebook’s mobile site (m.facebook.com) caters specifically to mobile users, offering a faster, more user-friendly experience on smartphones. Though many sites now use responsive design, mobile subdomains still play a role in some legacy systems.
Store
An eCommerce subdomain serves as a dedicated space for selling products online. Tesla’s store subdomain (https://shop.tesla.com/) provides a seamless experience for purchasing vehicles, accessories, and other products directly from their website. By keeping the shopping experience separate from the main site, Tesla can optimize the user journey and improve conversion rates.
Subdomain vs subdirectory vs folder vs CNAME
Understanding the differences between subdomains, subdirectories, folders, and CNAME records can help you organize your website better and optimize for SEO.
- Subdomain. A separate section before your primary domain. It can point to a different server or directory and is often treated as a distinct site by search engines.
- Subdirectory (or folder). This is a section within your primary domain name, shown as example.com/blog/. It shares the same root domain and server, making it easier to pass SEO authority across pages.
- Folder. Another term for subdirectory—refers to the actual directory on your web server where content is stored.
- Canonical Name (CNAME). A DNS record that aliases one domain name to another, often used to point subdomains to external services like email providers or content delivery networks (CDNs).
Here’s a quick table for comparison:
There’s a common myth that subdomains hurt SEO, but that’s not the case. Sure, subdomains might need a bit more SEO work because search engines can treat them as separate sites. However, they don’t automatically harm your rankings. In fact, subdomains can be great for organizing your content and targeting specific keywords more precisely. On the flip side, subdirectories tend to gather SEO value more easily, which can be helpful for smaller or closely related content areas.
How subdomains affect SEO in 2025
Google treats subdomains as separate properties, which means each subdomain is seen as its own website. While you can target specific keywords and audiences more precisely, you’ll need to build authority and backlinks for each subdomain individually.
Use a strong internal linking strategy to help search engines connect the dots. Linking between your main domain and subdomains indicates relevance and helps spread SEO value across your site’s different sections.
Additionally, don’t forget to set up your Google Analytics and Google Search Console for each subdomain. This way, you can track performance accurately and spot issues unique to each area of your site.
However, if your content topics are closely related, consolidating them under one subdirectory (like example.com/blog) might be better. It’s often easier to build authority and maintain SEO momentum in a single site structure than spreading it thin across multiple subdomains.
How to set up a subdomain
To create a subdomain, follow the steps below:
- Log in to your Domain Manager.
- Choose Domain and click Manage DNS.
- Click Add A Record and enter subdomain prefix.
- Point to hosting IP or use CNAME and click Save.
- Wait for propagation (up to 48 hours).
Note: These are generic steps. Process may vary per provider.
Subdomain best practices for success
Below are some key tips to make the most out of your subdomains:
- Keep names short and clear. Use simple, descriptive names like blog, store, or country codes like fr. This helps visitors and search engines know what to expect on that site.
- Redirect both www. and non-www. versions. Ensure users can reach your site whether they type www.yoursite.com or just yoursite.com. This avoids duplicate content issues.
- Focus on one topic per subdomain. Dedicate each subdomain to a single purpose or theme. This makes your site easier to navigate and improves SEO clarity.
- Always test changes on a staging environment first. Before launching updates or new subdomains, use a staging site to catch any problems without affecting your live site.
Unlock the full potential of your website with subdomains
Subdomains are a great way to organize and expand your website while keeping your main domain intact. By using clear, focused subdomains—whether it’s for a blog, store, support center, or international site—you can create tailored experiences that visitors and search engines will love. Take your website to the next level and try Network Solutions’ domains and hosting services to manage your subdomains easily.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, creating subdomains is generally free because they’re part of your existing domain. Your domain registrar or hosting provider usually lets you add as many subdomains as you need without extra cost.
The number varies by hosting provider and DNS setup. Many hosts allow dozens or even unlimited subdomains, but some may impose limits depending on your plan. It’s best to check with your hosting provider.
Not necessarily. Subdomains can share the same hosting as your main site, but they can also be pointed to different servers if you want them to run independently.
By default, cookies set on a subdomain are not shared with the root domain or other subdomains. However, you can configure cookies to be accessible across subdomains by setting the cookie domain properly.
Backlinks to your root domain usually don’t pass SEO authority directly to subdomains. This is because search engines often treat subdomains as separate sites. To boost a subdomain’s SEO, it needs its own backlinks and internal links from the main domain.
