Subdomain delegation is when you assign specific sections of your website to a different DNS service, which can improve the efficiency and control of your site.

You can assign IP addresses to different subdomains, enhancing website management and performance. We’ll show you how to do this on platforms such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Wix in this guide.

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Subdomain Delegation: Moving DNS Records Step-by-Step

In this detailed walkthrough, we will show you how to accurately update the DNS records and delegate your subdomain, ensuring a simple, seamless process.

Subdomain Delegation to AWS/Route53

Step 1: Setting Up a Place for Your Subdomain on Route 53

To start, create a special area on AWS Route 53 called a “hosted zone” for your subdomain. This zone file will store all the details about your subdomain.

Step 2: Setting Up NS Records for Your Subdomain

NS records, or “Name Server records”, guide internet users to where your subdomain lives. You can set them up using Route 53’s tools. Remember, don’t change any original DNS records or add extra ones.

Step 3: Checking Your Changes (Only If You Used the Special Tool)

When you make changes, they take time to reach across the internet. However, there’s a special tool you can use to see if your changes have reached everywhere. This tool checks the DNS infrastructure to make sure everything is okay.

Step 4: Update Your Main Website’s Records

Once you’ve configured everything in Route 53, the next step is to update the DNS settings of your main website. Here’s a simple way to do that:

1. Create a backup of your main website’s zone file. It’s like saving a copy of an important document before making any changes.
2. Find the name servers for your subdomain in Route 53. You’ll see a list of four.
3. Go to your main website’s DNS provider and update the zone file by adding these name servers. This step ensures that when people look for your subdomain, they’ll be directed to the right place.
4. Be careful to only add NS records for your subdomain. If you see an SOA record for your subdomain, you should delete it. Leave the SOA record for your main website as it is!

How to Delegate a Subdomain to CloudFlare

1. Log in to Cloudflare and select your domain.
2. Navigate to DNS > Records.
3. Create NS records for your subdomain, which points to the zone file.

Note: Cloudflare’s extra features, like security, won’t apply to these delegated subdomains.

Delegating Subdomain with AWS:

For AWS users, delegating a subdomain can be automatic. Here’s how:

Parent Account (Main Domain Owner):

1. Create a Route53 Hosted Zone for the main domain.
2. Set up a role that lets other AWS accounts add an NS record, showing they’re handling their subdomain.

Child Account (Subdomain Manager):

1. Make a Route53 Hosted Zone for the subdomain.
2. Use an NS record to tell the main domain they’re in charge of this subdomain.

Subdomain Delegation to GoDaddy

If you use GoDaddy, this process of delegating subdomains is rather simple.

Step 1: Log into your GoDaddy account

Step 2: Choose Your Domain

Navigate through the list of domain names you own. Click on the domain for which you intend to create a new subdomain.

Step 3: Navigate to Zone File Settings

After selecting your domain, find and click on the “DNS Zone File” tab. This zone is where your domain’s records, such as DNS records, are stored.

Step 4: Create a New Record

Inside the “DNS Zone File” tab, there’s an option labeled “Add Record.” By clicking this, you’re indicating to GoDaddy your intention to add new details related to a subdomain or other domain-related configurations.

Step 5. Set up the Nameserver Entry

At this stage, you’ll be required to provide certain details:

• Record Type: Select “Nameserver”
• Host: This is the subdomain you wish to delegate, for instance, ‘blog’ for ‘blog.example.com’.
• Points to: Here, input the nameserver address of the new service or server you’re directing to.
• TTL (Time to Live): Typically set at default values like 1 hour, it instructs systems on how often to look for updates.
• Finalize: After completing all necessary details, confirm or save. By following this procedure, you’ve now completed your subdomain delegation.

Remember, the nameserver format should follow GoDaddy’s guidelines. Incorrect entries can prompt errors, so ensure everything is correct.

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Subdomain Delegation to Windows Server

Step 1: Open DNS Manager on your Windows Server.

This is where you control DNS settings. Find the DNS Manager to start.

Step 2: Right-click the domain you wish to delegate in the console tree and choose “New Delegation.”

You need to find your main domain in the list. Right-click on it and start the delegation process.

Step 3: Proceed through the New Delegation Wizard to set up your new subdomain.

This wizard guides you step by step. It helps set everything up properly.

Step 4: Enter the name of your subdomain and click “Next.”

For example, ‘blog’ if you are creating ‘blog.example.com’.

Step 5: Provide the IP address for the DNS server that will manage this new subdomain.

The DNS server’s IP address controls the subdomain’s settings. Enter it here.

Step 6: Review all your settings, ensuring everything is accurate, including the IP addresses, then click “Finish.”

Step 7: Now, add NS records for the subdomain in the DNS provider of your main domain.

NS records connect your subdomain to its DNS server. Add these records where your main domain’s DNS settings are.

Step 8: Use DNS queries to confirm the status of your delegation and ensure it’s working correctly.

Send queries to check everything’s working. This is like a test.

Step 9: Check that the NS records accurately point to the DNS server managing your new subdomain.

Make sure the NS records really do connect to your subdomain’s DNS server.

Step 10: Ensure the zone file for the subdomain on Windows Server is correctly set up.

The zone file holds all the DNS records. Make sure it’s right for everything to work.

Following these steps is how you delegate a subdomain, assigning specific DNS responsibilities while maintaining control under the parent domain.

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DNS Subdomain Delegation Examples

Whether you’re new to handling DNS or want to improve, these examples will simplify the delegated domain process.

1. Delegating Blog subdomains to a Content Provider

• Domain Name: example.com
• Sub Domain to Delegate: blog.example.com
• Objective: You wish to create a separate blog platform using a third-party content provider.
• Procedure: In the DNS settings of your domain name, you enter an NS (nameserver) record pointing the subdomain ‘blog.example.com’ to the nameservers of your content provider.
• Status: Once the changes are propagated across the internet, visiting ‘blog.example.com’ will direct users to your blog hosted by the third-party provider, while ‘example.com’ remains untouched.

2. Delegating E-Store to an E-commerce Platform

• Domain Name: example.com
• Sub Domain to Delegate: shop.example.com
• Objective: You want to set up an online store using a specialized e-commerce platform.
• Procedure: In the domain name’s DNS settings, add an NS record that points ‘shop.example.com’ to the e-commerce platform’s nameservers.
• Status: When users get to ‘shop.example.com’, they’ll be led to your online store on the e-commerce platform. The main domain ‘example.com’ remains unaffected.

3. Delegating Regional Portals to Local Servers

• Domain Name: example.com
• Sub Domain to Delegate: us.example.com (for US audience)
• Objective: Offer region-specific content to your US visitors by delegating the subdomain to a server in the US.
• Procedure: Inside your domain’s DNS settings, create an NS record for ‘us.example.com’, directing it to the nameservers of your US-based server or service provider.
• Status: Visitors to ‘us.example.com’ will experience a region-focused portal, while ‘example.com’ continues its global appeal.

Key Points to Remember:

• Ensure you’ve got the correct nameservers when you’re delegating a subdomain. Incorrect or outdated nameservers can disrupt access
• Always monitor the status of your subdomains after delegation to ensure they are working as intended
• Delegating doesn’t affect the main domain. It’s merely a way to offer specialized services or content under the umbrella of the primary domain name without changing its original setup

This approach enhances versatility while retaining overall brand consistency.

Final Word: Ready to Delegate Your Subdomain?

Whether you manage your website or delegate subdomains, you help your site run well and make it user-friendly. Each choice offers unique advantages. If delegation feels right, that’s a smart move for improving your website. Make the decision that suits you, and your website will reach its full potential.

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Next Steps: What Now?

• Choose a trustworthy domain registrar
• Prioritize domain security and use cybersecurity tools to safeguard your online assets
• Expand your online presence and ad strategies to lessen reliance on one platform

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