How to add a Subdomain in GoDaddy: A Step-By-Step Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Creating a subdomain in GoDaddy is more than just a technical step; it’s a strategic move to expand and organize your online presence. Whether you’re looking to set up a blog, a specific product page, or a test environment, subdomains allow you to create distinct sections under your primary domain without needing a new website. This not only enhances user experience by providing more targeted content but also offers SEO benefits by clearly demarcating different areas of your site. Follow our guide on how to add a subdomain in GoDaddy to ensure you harness the full potential of your domain effectively.
A subdomain is a type of DNS record that adds a prefix to your main domain. For instance, if your main domain is `mycoolnewbusiness.com`, a subdomain could be `blog.mycoolnewbusiness.com`. You can create a subdomain that points to an IP address by adding an A record to your DNS zone file. If you need the subdomain to connect to another domain name, you’d use a CNAME record instead.
Start by signing in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio. If you’re having trouble logging in, use the “Retrieve Username or Password” option.
- Once you’re in your domain portfolio, locate the domain you want to add a subdomain to.
- Next to your domain, select “Domain Edit Options.”
- You may need to scroll a bit, but find and select “Edit DNS.”
- On the DNS settings page, click on “Add New Record.”
- From the “Type” menu, select “A” (for when the subdomain should point to an IP address).
- Enter details for the A record:
- Name: This is the subdomain prefix without the primary domain. For example, for
blog.mycoolnewbusiness.com, enter “blog.” - Value: Add the IP address the subdomain should point to, usually the IP address of your hosting account.
- TTL (Time to Live): Set to 1 hour by default, which determines how long servers should cache the information before refreshing.
- Name: This is the subdomain prefix without the primary domain. For example, for
- To add more IP addresses, select “Add another value.” For multiple DNS records, choose “Add More Records.” To delete any unsaved entries, select “Delete.”
- Click “Save” to finalize your new record. For multiple records, select “Save All Records.”
Most DNS changes, including the creation of subdomains, take effect within an hour. However, in some cases, it might take up to 48 hours for the changes to update globally.
- If you need to modify an existing A record subdomain or remove DNS records you no longer require, you can do so from the same DNS settings page.
- GoDaddy also offers services like creating a new site with “Websites + Marketing” and setting up professional email.
- For enhanced security, consider turning on auto-renew for your domain registration and setting up 2-step verification for your GoDaddy account.
I hope this guide helps you in adding a subdomain on GoDaddy. Remember, always double-check the details you enter to ensure everything works as expected. If you encounter any issues or have further questions, GoDaddy’s support team is always available to assist.
Following this guide on how to create a subdomain in GoDaddy will help you expand your online presence effectively. Double-check entries to ensure accuracy, and contact GoDaddy support if any questions arise.
Subdomains offer a powerful way to organize your online content and cater to specific audiences, all under your primary domain name. Here’s why they’re a valuable asset:
1. Cost-Effective Expansion
- Subdomains allow you to create new sections on your website without needing to purchase an additional domain. This flexibility saves costs, as you can host multiple “sites” under a single main domain, each tailored for different purposes. For example, instead of buying a new domain for an online store, you can create “shop.yoursite.com” to host all your product listings.
2. Enhanced Content Organization
- Subdomains help keep content organized by dividing different areas of your site into distinct “mini-sites” that serve different functions. This organization is especially beneficial for companies with a wide range of offerings, allowing them to separate content into dedicated spaces. For instance:
- blog.yoursite.com – A dedicated blog can establish your authority and increase traffic, while keeping the main site focused on your core business.
- support.yoursite.com – A dedicated support hub can house FAQs, help articles, and contact options, making it easier for customers to find assistance without distracting them from the main site.
3. Improved User Experience
- By creating subdomains tailored to specific needs, you ensure that users can navigate to relevant information faster. If a user knows that “events.yoursite.com” is exclusively for upcoming events and webinars, they can quickly access the content they need without wading through unrelated sections on the main site.
4. Ideal for Test Environments
- Subdomains make it easy to set up testing environments, enabling developers to trial new features or website designs without impacting the live site. For example, “staging.yoursite.com” could be your testing ground, allowing for safe experimentation and quality control before any changes go live.
5. SEO Benefits and Targeted Marketing
- Subdomains can serve as separate entities in search engines, allowing you to target specific keywords and content for each subdomain while reinforcing your primary brand. For instance:
- shop.yoursite.com can focus on product-related keywords, potentially ranking higher for searches related to your products.
- events.yoursite.com could rank for event-specific terms, expanding your reach to audiences specifically interested in events or webinars.
- This separation can increase your visibility in search results while minimizing any content overlap issues.
6. Geographic and Language Targeting
- Subdomains are ideal for reaching international audiences or creating localized content without cluttering the main site. For example:
- uk.yoursite.com or fr.yoursite.com could serve UK or French audiences, each featuring content specific to that region’s language, culture, or legal requirements.
- This approach enhances user experience and fosters trust by offering content tailored to the visitor’s region.
7. Practical Use Cases for Subdomains
- Blog: “blog.yoursite.com” can host your blog, attracting visitors interested in educational or industry-related content, which can drive traffic back to the main site.
- Store: “store.yoursite.com” provides a dedicated space for product listings and e-commerce functionality, making it easier for customers to shop.
- Support: “support.yoursite.com” centralizes all customer support resources, keeping it separate from your primary business operations for easy access.
Using subdomains strategically allows you to expand your online presence, enhance organization, and offer users targeted content, all without the cost or complexity of managing multiple domains.
Securing your subdomain with an SSL certificate is essential, particularly if it handles sensitive information such as user data, payments, or login credentials. An SSL certificate encrypts the data exchanged between your website and the visitor’s browser, protecting it from potential threats and ensuring user trust.
Here’s how to add SSL to your subdomain:
1. Check Your SSL Coverage
- If your main domain already has an SSL certificate, check with your provider whether it covers subdomains. Some SSL certificates, like wildcard SSL certificates, secure both your main domain and all its subdomains (e.g.,
*.yoursite.com), while standard SSL certificates typically cover only the main domain. GoDaddy offers both standard and wildcard SSL certificates, allowing you to secure multiple subdomains under a single certificate if needed.
2. Purchasing SSL for a Single Subdomain
- If you only need SSL for a specific subdomain, you can purchase an SSL certificate just for that subdomain (e.g.,
shop.yoursite.com). GoDaddy’s platform allows you to choose SSL certificates tailored to your security needs, with options to cover individual subdomains for better flexibility.
3. Using Wildcard SSL for Multiple Subdomains
- A wildcard SSL certificate is a cost-effective solution if you want to secure multiple subdomains under the same certificate. For instance,
*.yoursite.comwill secure all subdomains under yoursite.com, such asblog.yoursite.comandstore.yoursite.com, under a single SSL. This option is ideal for businesses with several subdomains that each handle user data or other sensitive information.
4. Using Free SSL Options like Let’s Encrypt
- Let’s Encrypt is a popular, free SSL certificate provider that offers certificates for both main domains and subdomains. To use Let’s Encrypt on GoDaddy-hosted sites, you may need to install the certificate manually or use a plugin if you’re managing a WordPress site. While this option is free, keep in mind that Let’s Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days, so they require regular renewal.
5. Installing Your SSL Certificate
- Once you’ve obtained an SSL certificate, install it through your GoDaddy account. GoDaddy offers a straightforward installation process with step-by-step guides on adding SSL certificates to domains and subdomains. After installation, ensure your subdomain is accessible via “https://” to confirm it’s secured.
6. Automatic HTTPS Redirection
- To ensure users always access the secure version of your subdomain, set up an automatic redirection from
http://subdomain.yoursite.comtohttps://subdomain.yoursite.com. This setup can be done in your GoDaddy hosting account, or by adding specific rules in your.htaccessfile if you’re using a CMS like WordPress.
Why SSL Matters for Subdomains
Implementing SSL on your subdomain not only protects user data but also improves SEO rankings, as Google prioritizes secure sites. Additionally, browsers like Chrome and Firefox label unencrypted sites as “Not Secure,” which can erode user trust. For any subdomain that collects personal information, provides user login, or processes payments, SSL is critical.
Adding SSL to your subdomains with GoDaddy’s options or free alternatives like Let’s Encrypt allows you to provide a safe, encrypted environment across your entire online presence, reassuring users that their information is secure.
In conclusion, mastering the process of how to add a subdomain in GoDaddy is crucial for anyone aiming to optimize their digital footprint. Knowing how to add a subdomain in GoDaddy offers a structured way to diversify your content, cater to specific audiences, and improve site navigation.
By following our step-by-step guide, you can seamlessly integrate these subdomains and elevate the overall functionality and organization of your primary domain. Remember, in the digital age, it’s not just about having a presence; it’s about maximizing its impact and reach.
❗ Warming Up Your Domain: A Crucial Step Before Mailing
Before diving into the world of email marketing or outreach, there’s an essential step that many overlook: domain warm-up. Just as an athlete wouldn’t sprint without a proper warm-up, your domain shouldn’t start sending out a large volume of emails without being properly introduced to email servers.
When a new domain suddenly starts sending out a significant number of emails, it can raise red flags for email service providers (ESPs). This sudden spike can make ESPs perceive your emails as spam, leading to poor deliverability rates or even blacklisting. Warming up your domain involves gradually increasing your email sending volume, allowing ESPs to recognize and trust your domain over time.
Related – Warming Up a New Domain: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the intricacies of domain warm-up can be challenging, but with Warmy.io, the process becomes seamless. Warmy.io is a dedicated email warm-up service designed to enhance your domain’s reputation with major ESPs. By automating the warm-up process, Warmy.io ensures that your emails land in the recipient’s inbox, not the spam folder.
Curious about your email deliverability performance? Take Warmy’s free email deliverability test now. Instantly discover where your emails land across providers, check blacklist status, verify your authentication settings, detect potential errors, and get insights into your overall deliverability health.
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Why should I consider Adding a Subdomain in GoDaddy?
Adding a subdomain in GoDaddy allows you to create specific sections or niches under your primary domain, which can be beneficial for organizing content, targeting specific audiences, or setting up special projects without the need for a new website.
How long does it take for a new subdomain to become active?
While most DNS changes, including adding a subdomain in GoDaddy, take effect within an hour, it can sometimes take up to 48 hours to update globally.
Can I add multiple subdomains to my primary domain in GoDaddy?
Absolutely! You can add as many subdomains as you need, allowing for extensive customization and organization of your online content.
Are there any costs associated with Adding a Subdomain in GoDaddy?
No, adding a subdomain in GoDaddy is typically a feature included with your domain registration. However, any hosting or additional services you choose for that subdomain might incur additional charges.
I've added my subdomain, but it's not working. What should I do?
Ensure you've followed all the steps correctly. If the subdomain still isn't active after 48 hours, it might be a good idea to contact GoDaddy's support team for assistance.
Why is my GoDaddy subdomain forwarding not working with HTTPS?
If your GoDaddy subdomain forwarding is not working with HTTPS, it may be due to SSL settings not being applied to the subdomain. Forwarding with HTTPS requires an SSL certificate on the destination URL, as GoDaddy’s standard forwarding only supports HTTP. You may need to purchase an SSL certificate or use a wildcard SSL if you have multiple subdomains to ensure secure HTTPS forwarding.
How do I create a subdomain in GoDaddy?
To create a subdomain in GoDaddy, log in to your domain portfolio, select the domain you want to modify, and go to the DNS settings. From there, add a new DNS record and select “A” or “CNAME” as the record type. Enter the subdomain name and complete the details for the record before saving. Following these steps, you’ll have successfully created your subdomain in GoDaddy.
What can I do if GoDaddy subdomain forwarding is still not working with HTTPS?
If GoDaddy subdomain forwarding is not functioning with HTTPS, double-check that the target URL has SSL enabled and that there are no conflicting DNS records. If forwarding issues persist, consider reaching out to GoDaddy support or using URL masking as an alternative, especially if you need to securely redirect visitors to the subdomain.
How to add a subdomain in GoDaddy for different purposes like blogs or stores?
GoDaddy makes it easy to add subdomains for various uses. Simply create a subdomain in GoDaddy by going to your domain’s DNS settings, adding a new A or CNAME record, and customizing it for your needs (e.g., “blog.yoursite.com” for a blog or “shop.yoursite.com” for an online store). This setup allows you to expand your website’s functionality without requiring additional domains.
Are there limitations to GoDaddy subdomain forwarding with HTTPS?
Yes, GoDaddy subdomain forwarding may not support HTTPS without an SSL certificate on the forwarded URL. If the forwarding link does not automatically redirect to HTTPS, you may need to purchase SSL for both the source and destination to maintain security.