Subdomain

Subdomain: Meaning & When to Use It 

What is a subdomain? Learn how it works, its benefits for eCommerce businesses, and when to use it. Also find how it differs from subdirectories.

Most businesses start out online with a simple website, where they likely purchase the most popular domain: www. However, as their operations and online presence grows, companies may start looking into creating subdomains for various business purposes.

What is a subdomain? What sets it apart from subdirectories? When should a business start using subdomains? This article provides answers.

What is a Subdomain? 

A subdomain is a domain that is a part of a larger domain name. It is formed by adding a prefix to the front of a domain name, such as "shopping" or "store".

Although a subdomain is different from the main domain, it is still a part of the same website. For example, if the main domain is "example.com", a subdomain could be "shopping.example.com" or "store.example.com". It is also possible to have a subdomain with a country code prefix, such as "de.example.com".

Thus, while a subdomain is still a part of the main website of a business, it functions as a standalone section serving a specific purpose. Search engines rank subdomains separately, as they have their own content, webpages, and indexing.

As part of a content hierarchy, subdomains help declutter a website and make navigation easy for visitors. Those visiting a website for a specific purpose – such as to find an online store or read a blog – can head to the relevant subdomain directly.

Subdomains help businesses develop a separate section without compromising the intent of the main website. Companies can also use the subdomains to establish a niche, gain visibility, and offer value to customers who then contribute to organic traffic on the brand’s online platform.

Subdomains vs Subdirectories 

Both subdomains and subdirectories can optimize the search engine ranking of a website. They are both useful in structuring and organizing a website. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two for a business to decide which one best meets their needs.

As explained earlier, a subdomain creates a distinct section of an existing website. On the other hand, a subdirectory is a URL or another pathway within your website. A subdomain is formed by adding a prefix to the root domain, whereas for a subdirectory, a suffix is added to the root domain.

Subdomains are helpful for larger businesses that would be better served by establishing separate sections for important content. However, they require greater resources and efforts to set up and host as a distinct domain.

On the other hand, subdirectories are useful for smaller websites where the content variety is not extensive. A subdirectory makes content more organized topically, but within the main domain umbrella.

When to Use Subdomains 

There are times when it becomes beneficial for a business to launch a subdomain. These include instances when businesses:

• Establish an eCommerce store: When a company wants to start selling its products and enable transactions online, a subdomain can come in handy. With a subdomain, it becomes possible to add eCommerce capabilities to a website but without compromising on the main website’s functions.
• Create a Specialized Blog: When a business begins to create content around specialized topics, which demand different keywords and strategies than other content, a subdomain is helpful. It can attract users interested in a niche topic or looking for specific information. This may not be the main offering of the website but is still a content marketing opportunity catering to a specific audience.
• Build a New Website: If a business is building a new website or testing a new version of their website, they can use subdomains effectively. With this option, they may run a trial to check the features and functions. They can thus fix any bugs before the website goes live.
• Expand Audience: When a business branches out towards a new customer base different from its main website or an international audience, they may utilize a subdomain. This page will specifically answer the needs of new visitors, with content specialized to their requirements, and even in a different language. All of this can be achieved through a subdomain without altering the main website.
• Optimize Website for Mobile: As more users switch to their phones for browsing, businesses are also looking to deliver a website optimized for viewing and use on mobile screens. However, instead of scaling down the existing domain, companies can build a new domain expressly for mobile functionality. This dedicated domain can offer a responsive and positive experience adapted to smaller devices for users, but without affecting the main website in any way.

Key Takeaways 

• A subdomain is a domain that is a part of a larger domain name. It is formed by adding a prefix to the front of a domain name, such as "shopping" or "store".
• While subdomain is still a part of the main website of a business, it functions as a standalone section serving a specific purpose or audience segment.
• With a subdomain, businesses are not only able to organize their website but also carve out a niche online and gain greater visibility on the search engine, alongside the main website.
• Subdirectories are also used to organize a website, like a subdomain. However, while a subdomain is distinct from the main website, a subdirectory is located within the main domain.
• A business may want to use a subdomain when it is launching an eCommerce store, adding a specialized blog, building, or testing a new website, targeting a new audience base, or optimizing its website for mobile phones.