Subdomains: What They Are and How They Impact Your Website’s SEO

Numerous factors must be considered when managing and optimizing a website for search engines. One such factor is subdomains. Subdomains play a crucial role in organizing and categorizing content on a website, but they also significantly impact your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. This article will explore subdomains, how they function, and their influence on your website’s SEO.

What are Subdomains? (Definition and Examples)

Subdomains are subdivisions or extensions of a primary domain. They allow website owners to organize and structure content or create separate web entities within the main domain. A subdomain is added before the primary domain and is separated by a dot, forming a URL structure like “subdomain.primarydomain.com.”

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You can use subdomains for various purposes, such as creating separate sections for different topics, languages, or departments. They can also host specific applications or services independently from the main website. Here are a few examples:

1. Blog: A website with a primary domain, “example.com,” might have a subdomain, “blog.example.com,” dedicated to hosting a blog, where users can access all blog-related content.
2. Store: An e-commerce website with the primary domain “example.com” could have a subdomain “store.example.com” specifically for its online store, where customers can browse and purchase products.
3. Language Localization: If a website aims to serve multiple language versions, it might use subdomains like “en.example.com” for English, “es.example.com” for Spanish, “fr.example.com” for French, and so on.
4. Regional Content: For websites with content specific to different regions, subdomains like “us.example.com” for the United States, “uk.example.com” for the United Kingdom, or “au.example.com” for Australia can be utilized.
5. Services: A company offering different services might employ subdomains to represent each service, such as “service1.example.com,” “service2.example.com,” and so forth.

It’s important to note that while subdomains are part of the same root domain, they can be treated as separate entities regarding content, functionality, and sometimes even hosting environments.

Subdomain vs. Domain: What’s The Difference?

In the context of the internet and website addresses, a domain and a subdomain refer to different parts of a website’s URL.

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A domain is the main part of a website’s address and typically comprises two primary elements: the top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain (SLD). The TLD represents the highest level in the domain hierarchy and commonly includes extensions like .com, .net, .org, .edu, or country-specific extensions like .uk or .fr. The SLD is a website’s chosen name and appears before the TLD. For example, in the URL “www.example.com,” “example” is the SLD, and “.com” is the TLD.

On the other hand, a subdomain is an extension of a domain that allows for further organization and categorization of website content. It is placed before the SLD and is separated by a dot. Subdomains create separate sections or areas within a website, each with unique content or purpose. For instance, in the URL “blog.example.com,” “blog” is the subdomain, “example” is the SLD, and “.com” is the TLD.

What is a Subdomain Used For?

A subdomain organizes and navigates different sections or components of a website or online system. Creating a subdomain allows you to allocate a specific website area to a unique URL.

Subdomains are often used to categorize or separate different functions or content within a website. Here are a few common occurrences for subdomains:

1. Organizational Structure

Subdomains can represent different departments, teams, or branches of an organization. For example, a company may have subdomains like sales.example.com, support.example.com, or blog.example.com.

2. Multiple services

If a website offers multiple services or products, each service can be assigned a separate subdomain. This allows for better organization and helps users access the specific service they are interested in. For instance, a cloud storage provider might have subdomains like photos.example.com and files.example.com.

3. Localization

Subdomains can be used for targeting specific regions or languages. For instance, a global company may use subdomains like us.example.com, uk.example.com, or es.example.com to cater to different geographical locations or language preferences.

4. Development and Testing

Subdomains are often used during a website’s development and testing phases. Developers can create a subdomain (e.g., dev.example.com or test.example.com) to work on new features or test changes without affecting the main production site.

5. Marketing Campaigns

Subdomains can be utilized for specific marketing campaigns or landing pages. For example, a company running a promotional campaign might create a subdomain like promo.example.com to direct users to a dedicated page for that campaign.

How To Create a Subdomain

You typically need access to your domain’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings to create subdomains. The steps may differ depending on your domain registrar or hosting provider, but here is a general guideline:

1. Log in to your domain registrar, hosting provider’s control panel, or dashboard. This is where you manage your domain settings.Image Credits: hostinger.com
2. Look for the option stating manage your DNS settings or access the DNS management panel.
3. Find the section that allows you to add a new DNS record. The location and terminology may vary, but you are typically looking for an option related to “DNS management” or “DNS records.”
4. Create a new DNS record for your subdomain. You’ll need to specify the following information:
   • Type: Choose “CNAME” (Canonical Name) or “A” record, depending on your needs.
   • Name: Enter the desired title for your subdomain (e.g., “subdomain”).
   • Value: Specify the target or destination for your subdomain. Depending on the requirements, this can be an IP address or another domain name.
5. Save the DNS record and wait for the changes to propagate. The DNS changes can take time to propagate across the internet, usually from a few minutes to a few hours.
6. Once the changes have propagated, your subdomain should be active and accessible. You can test it by entering the subdomain name in a web browser and seeing if it directs to the desired location.

How Do Subdomains Impact SEO?

Subdomains can have both positive and negative impacts on your website’s SEO. Let’s explore some of the ways subdomains can influence your search engine rankings:

1. Keyword Targeting

Subdomains allow targeting specific keywords or keyword groups for different sections of your website. By creating subdomains that focus on particular topics, you can optimize each subdomain’s content and structure to align with the targeted keywords. This can enhance your chances of ranking well in search engine results pages for different search intent.

2. Content Organization

Search engines value well-organized websites, and subdomains can help achieve this. Creating separate subdomains for distinct categories or sections makes it easier for search engine crawlers to understand the structure and hierarchy of your content. It improves the indexation and accessibility of your website, ultimately benefiting your SEO efforts.

3. Link Building

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Subdomains can also impact your link-building strategies. Each subdomain is considered a separate entity, meaning links built within a subdomain will primarily benefit that subdomain’s SEO. This can be beneficial if you want to promote specific sections of your website independently. However, it’s important to note that building links across subdomains can be more challenging, as they are treated as separate entities, requiring different link-building efforts.

4. Domain Authority and trust

Subdomains may have domain authority and trust factors. While the main domain’s control can influence the subdomains to some extent, each subdomain has its own unique set of metrics. Creating a new subdomain will start with a clean slate regarding domain authority and trust. It may take time to build up the authority of a new subdomain, but it provides an opportunity for focused SEO efforts on specific areas of your website.

5. User Experience

User experience is crucial in SEO, and subdomains can impact how users navigate your website. Using subdomains to categorize and structure content, you can provide a better user experience, making it easier for users to find what they want. This can increase user engagement, reduce bounce rates, and positively affect your SEO.

Considerations for Subdomains and SEO

When considering subdomains and their impact on SEO (Search Engine Optimization), there are several important considerations to remember. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Purpose and Structure

Subdomains are commonly used to categorize or separate different sections or functions of a website. Before implementing subdomains, consider the purpose and structure of your site. Will the subdomain represent a distinct and separate entity, or is it just a subdivision of your main domain? Ensure that the use of subdomains aligns with the organization and content of your website.

2. Subdomain vs. Subdirectory

While subdomains provide a way to organize and separate content, they are treated by search engines as separate entities from the main domain. On the other hand, subdirectories (e.g., example.com/subdirectory) are considered part of the main domain.

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In general, it’s easier to build authority and consolidate SEO efforts with subdirectories, as the main domain’s authority is shared across all subdirectories. However, subdomains can be beneficial for unique branding or for creating a separate identity for specific sections of your site.

3. Link Equity

Search engines typically treat subdomains as separate websites, meaning that they have their own domain authority and link equity. This can impact your overall SEO strategy, as any backlinks or authority gained on a subdomain won’t benefit the main domain directly. Using subdirectories is generally better for consolidating authority and strengthening the main domain’s SEO.

4. Content and User Experience

Subdomains should be used when you have significantly different content or functionalities that require a separate identity. If the content and purpose of the subdomain are closely related to the main domain, it may be more appropriate to use subdirectories.

Additionally, consider the user experience when implementing subdomains. Will users find navigating between the main domain and subdomain intuitive and easy? A seamless user experience is essential for retaining visitors and encouraging engagement.

5. Maintenance and Technical Considerations

Managing multiple subdomains can be more complex and time-consuming than managing a single domain or subdirectory structure. Each subdomain may require separate hosting, maintenance, and tracking setups. Ensure you have the resources and knowledge to handle the technical aspects and ongoing maintenance of subdomains effectively.

6. Branding and Marketing

Subdomains can be useful for branding purposes, especially if you want to create distinct identities for different products, services, or geographic locations. They can also help with marketing efforts, as subdomains can have targeted keywords, meta tags, and branding elements. Consider whether subdomains align with your overall branding and marketing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions On “What is a Sub-Domain?”

1. Is a subdomain a separate website?

A subdomain is not a separate website in the strictest sense. It is part of a master domain and functions as a separate section or subdivision. A subdomain is created by adding a prefix to the parent domain name, typically separated by a dot (e.g., subdomain.example.com).

While a subdomain can have its unique content and functionality, it is still considered a part of the main domain and shares the domain’s authority, branding, and resources. Regarding technical implementation, a subdomain can be hosted on a different server or have other configurations from the main site, but they are still closely related

2. Which is better for SEO? Subdomains or Domains?

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Using subdomains might be beneficial if your website has different sections that require independent branding or targeting. However, if simplicity, brand consistency, and leveraging the authority of a single domain are priorities, then using a domain would be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision should align with your SEO strategy and business objectives.