cPanel is a graphical control panel interface that simplifies the management of your web hosting, including creating subdomains.
cPanel has become very popular, and you can use it with hosting providers such as Namecheap or GoDaddy.
This article will explain how to create subdomains in cPanel. Also, you’ll learn how to modify and redirect subdomains, how to use the cPanel with your hosting provider, and tips to do it right. Choosing a domain hosting provider is crucial for ensuring reliable website accessibility and optimal performance. For the top recommendations, refer to our curated list of the best domain hosting providers.
Top Domain Hosting Providers We Recommend
| Provider | User Rating | Best For | Expert & User Reviews | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5.0 | Versatility | HostArmada Review | Visit HostArmada |
 | 4.9 | Customization | Ultahost Review | Visit Ultahost |
 | 4.6 | Speed | Hostinger Review | Visit Hostinger |
- Subdomains can help you organize and manage your website better
- One of the simplest ways to create a subdomain is by using cPanel
- Adding a subdomain to your root domain in cPanel is straightforward and you can do it with few steps
- You can create a subdomain in cPanel even if you host your website in NameCheap or GoDaddy
How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel
Creating a subdomain in cPanel takes a few steps but otherwise, it is a straightforward process to follow. While the basic steps are mostly the same, there can be differences depending on the hosting provider.
How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel, Namecheap
Namecheap offers users the option to create subdomains by using cPAnel.
Here are the main steps:
Step 1: Log in to your cPanel, go to Your Domain section then go to the Domain menu.
Image Source: Namecheap.com
Step 2: Now to start creating the subdomain, click on the button Create A New Domain
Image Source: Namecheap.com
Step 3: Go to the Domain text box and type in the subdomain name.
The subdomain should be a prefix to the primary domain name. For example, if the main domain is yourwebsite.com, the subdomain could be store.yourwebsite.com. The .com extension indicates what type of domain is your main domain name.
Image Source: Namecheap.com
Step 4: Choose the directory where you want the subdomain’s content to live. Namecheap has a default option of a shared document root. That means the subdomain will share content with the main domain.
If you want the content for the subdomain to live in a separate directory, unselect the “Share document root (/home/username/public_html) with “domain.com†choice and enter the directory where all the files you want for this subdomain to exist.
Image Source: Namecheap.com
Step 5: Click the submit button to finish creating the subdomain.
Image Source: Namecheap.com
The new subdomain may take up to 40 minutes to propagate.
With Namecheap, you can also create a wildcard subdomain, which allows you to point all subdomains to a folder in your account.
How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel with GoDaddy
Another leading hosting provider is GoDaddy. Creating a subdomain in cPanel for GoDaddy requires a few simple steps:
Step 1: Log into your GoDaddy account.
Image source: GoDaddy.com
Step 2: After signing into your GoDaddy go to the “My Products†section after signing in to your GoDaddy account go to account settings and scroll down till you see Web Hostings and click on manage
Image source: GoDaddy.com
Step 3: Click on the cPanel Amin button. It will take you to the cPanel dashboard.
Image source: GoDaddy.com
Step 4: Once you’re in the cPanel dashboard, scroll down until you find the “Subdomains†button and click on it.
Image source: GoDaddy.com
Step 5: In the “Subdomains†window, type the name of the subdomain in the text box. The system will generate the document root automatically. Click “Createâ€.
Learn more about how to create a subdomain in GoDaddy cPanel.
How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel with WordPress
You can also create a subdomain in WordPress hosting. Here are the instructions:
Step 1: Create the subdomain from your hosting provider dashboard. Follow the steps in the previous sections for your hosting provider.
Step 2: Next, install WordPress for your subdomain. To do that, you should use the auto-installer in the hosting panel. Go to the dashboard select the main domain for which you created the subdomain and go to the auto installer.
Step 3: Click on the install application. Select WordPress.
Step 4: In the WordPress setup. You will see the domain and the list of subdomains. Select the subdomain you created.
Step 5: The installer will require your username, password and domain name. Click on install. That’s it, you have successfully created a subdomain and installed WordPress on it.
How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel, Jupiter
The process to create a subdomain in the cPanel Jupiter theme is very similar to the process we listed in the first section.
Step 1: Log into your cPanel account and click on Domains.
Step 2: Click “Create a new domain†on the domains dashboard.
Step 3: Enter your chosen subdomain name in the Domain text box.
Step 4: Uncheck the “Share document root (/home/username/public_html) with “domain.comâ€. By doing so, you ensure the content is not stored in the same location as the rest of the domain.
Step 5: Click on the Submit button. The subdomain may take a few minutes to propagate. Then you can upload your content.
Does Each Subdomain Have Its Own cPanel Account?
The short answer is YES. You can have separate cPanel accounts for each subdomain.
Doing so has many advantages.
- Can prevent cross-site attacks: When you have all subdomains in the same cPanel account an attacker entering the account can infiltrate all sites within the same account.
- Increase security: Separate cPanel accounts can also increase security by limiting a developer from accessing other sites that belong to the same cPanel account.
There are some downsides to having separate cPanel accounts for the subdomains.
- Cost: It may be more expensive to maintain multiple cPanel accounts.
- Complex: It can also be more complicated to manage them and use more resources.
- Time-consuming: You’ll need to manage security across numerous cPanel, which might be time-consuming.
Read more about HostArmada
Troubleshooting Your Newly Created Subdomain in cPanel
However well you follow the steps to create a subdomain, there can be issues. Here are some of the most common issues and how to troubleshoot them.
cPanel Subdomain Not Working
In some cases, the DNS for the domain may not be hosted on the same machine as the cPanel. That means the DNS wasn’t properly configured.
How to solve it? To fix this issue, you must go to your hosting provider and add an A record for the subdomain where your DNS is hosted.
Error: You Must Specify a Subdomain
In the cPanel user forum, technical support staff recommends creating a ticket if this error happens to you.
According to one cPanel user, the issue may be fixed by following the steps to create a subdomain but checking the option to â€Share document root (/home/username/public_html) with “domain.comâ€.
Because this solution may not work for everyone, we advise you to ask for support for this error.
Other Common Problems
The tracked DNS returns a SOA record instead of the A record address:
- It could be that your DNS records are stored in an external service – add the A Record there
- The subdomain is still propagating – wait until it finishes propagating
- The main domain uses different third-party nameservers – ensure the DNS records are on the servers where you host the nameservers
You get a “Sorry†page when submitting your subdomain:
- The DNS isn’t configured right for the domain
- The Apache virtual host isn’t configured right
Error: “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAINâ€:
- The browser cannot resolve the domain name of an IP address
Learn how to How To Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error
How to Upload Website Files to a Subdomain in cPanel
Once the subdomain is up and running, it’s time to upload website files to the subdomain. When you created the subdomain, cPanel created a Document Root directory in the public_html directory.
Here’s where you will upload your web files to.
To upload your web files to a subdomain in cPanel, you can use FTP or you can use the File Manager in cPanel.
Using FTP
- Step 1: Open the FTP client. Sign in with the hosting account with your FTP username and password.
- Step 2: Go to the public_html directory and find the folder that corresponds to your subdomain, i.e. public_html/subdomain_name.
- Step 3: Upload the web files to the subdomain folder.
Using the File Manager
- Step 1: Go to cPanel, find Files and then open File Manager.
- Step 2: Find the public_html folder and click on it.
- Step 3: Find the folder that corresponds to your subdomain and open it.
- Step 4: Upload the web files to this folder with the Upload function.
How to Manage Subdomains in cPanel
Subdomains are not set and forgotten. Once you create them, you can rename them, redirect them or remove them. Here is how:
How to Modify a Subdomain
The steps can differ slightly depending on the hosting provider. For instance, in GoDaddy:
- Go to Domains
- Find your domain and select Domain Edit Options. Select Edit DNS.
- Enter the details you want for your A record and select Save
How to Remove a Subdomain
- Step 1: Log in to cPanel and go to cPanel/Domains
- Step 2: Go to the subdomain you want to remove, and select Manage.
- Step 3: Select Remove Domain.
How to Redirect a Subdomain
- Step 1: Log into your cPanel account.
- Step 2: Go to the Domains section, and click on the subdomains option.
- Step 3: Look for the Modify a Subdomain menu. Look for the subdomain you wish to manage.
- Step 4: Look for the Manage Redirection link next to it and click on it.
- Step 5: Choose the Subdomain Redirection option, and enter the link where you want to redirect the subdomain.
Learn more about how to redirect a subdomain
Final Word: Creating a Subdomain Is Simple With cPanel
Subdomains are useful to improve the website’s organization and functionality. Creating a subdomain using cPanel gives you a straightforward process consistent across different cPanel interfaces. Learn more about how to create a subdomain in our blog.
Next Steps: What Now?
Now that you learned how to create a subdomain in cPanel, leverage it to improve your website strategy.
- Register your domain name if you haven’t already and choose your web hosting
- Decide if you will use a Website builder or will create your website with coding
- Use subdomains to organize your content. Optimize them for keywords or themes
- Ensure each subdomain is secure with an SSL certificate
Learn More About Subdomains
How to Create a Subdomain for a Primary Domain: Comprehensive Guide
How to Create a Subdomain in GoDaddy with and without cPanel
What Is a Subdomain: Everything You Need to Know
Subdomain vs Subdirectory: Which is Better for SEO?
Domain vs Subdomain: What They Are and What’s the Difference?
How to Find All Subdomains of a Domain with Free Online Tools
Wildcard Subdomains: What They Are & How To Set Them Up
How To Redirect a Subdomain to Url: A Complete Guide
DNS Record for Subdomain: CNAME, DMARC, A Records & more
Email Subdomain: What It Is & How to Use It
SSL Certificate for Subdomain: How to Pick and Install the Right One?
SEO for Subdomains: Benefits, Disadvantages & Strategies for Success
Subdomain Delegation to Another DNS Service Provider: Complete Guide
NGINX Subdomain Tutorial and Setup Guide
How to Create a Subdomain in Namecheap Hosting
