Are you looking to create a subdomain for your website hosted by Bluehost? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to create and manage subdomains on Bluehost. With Bluehost being one of the leading web hosting providers in the market, understanding how to utilize their services to create and manage subdomains can be extremely beneficial for your website. So let’s dive in and learn all about Bluehost subdomains.
Creating a Subdomain on Bluehost
To begin with, let’s understand what a subdomain is. A subdomain is essentially an extension of your main domain that allows you to create separate sections of your website with their own unique content and design. For example, if your main domain is www.example.com, then a subdomain can be something like blog.example.com or shop.example.com. Now, let’s take a look at how you can create a subdomain on Bluehost.
Step 1: Log in to Your Bluehost Account
The first step is to log in to your Bluehost account using your credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Domains” Section
Once you are logged in, click on the “Domains” tab located on the top menu bar. This will take you to the domains page where you can manage all your domains and subdomains.
Step 3: Click on “Subdomains”
On the domains page, scroll down to find the “Subdomains” section and click on it.
Step 4: Enter the Name of Your Subdomain
In the subdomain section, enter the name of your subdomain in the “Subdomain” field. For example, if you want your subdomain to be “blog.example.com”, then enter “blog” in the field.
Step 5: Choose Your Domain
Next, choose the domain name that you want your subdomain to be associated with from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: Set Document Root
In the “Document Root” field, enter the directory where you want your subdomain’s files to be stored. By default, Bluehost will automatically assign a document root, but you can change it if needed.
Once done, click on the “Create” button and your subdomain will be successfully created. Now, let’s take a look at how you can manage your subdomains on Bluehost.
Managing Subdomains on Bluehost
Now that you have successfully created a subdomain on Bluehost, you might wonder how you can manage it. Here are two ways you can manage your subdomains on Bluehost.
Through Bluehost cPanel
One way is to manage your subdomains through the Bluehost cPanel. To do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to Your Bluehost Account
Log in to your Bluehost account using your credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Domains” Section
On the top menu bar, click on the “Domains” tab and then select “Subdomains” from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Click on the Manage Tab
In the subdomains section, locate your subdomain and click on the “Manage” button next to it.
Step 4: Make Changes as Needed
You can now make any changes to your subdomain, including changing the document root, deleting the subdomain, or adding redirects. Once done, click on the “Save” button to apply the changes.
Through FTP
Another way to manage your subdomains on Bluehost is through FTP. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Connect to Your Server
Using an FTP client, connect to your Bluehost server using your credentials.
Step 2: Locate the Subdomain Folder
Once connected, navigate to the folder that contains your subdomain’s files. This is usually located in the “public_html” folder.
Step 3: Make Changes as Needed
You can now make changes to your subdomain’s files directly through FTP. This includes uploading new files, deleting existing ones, and making any necessary edits.
Common Uses for Subdomains on Bluehost
Now that you know how to create and manage subdomains on Bluehost, let’s take a look at some common uses for subdomains.
Blogs
Creating a blog on a separate subdomain allows you to keep your main website clean and organized. It also gives you the flexibility to customize your blog design and content without affecting your main website.
E-commerce Store
If you have an e-commerce store, you can create a subdomain dedicated to it. This makes it easier for customers to access your store and helps improve the overall user experience.
Landing Pages
Subdomains are perfect for creating landing pages for specific marketing campaigns or promotions. By directing traffic to a subdomain, you can track and analyze the success of your campaigns separately from your main website.
Pros and Cons of Using Bluehost Subdomains
To help you decide whether or not to use Bluehost subdomains for your website, here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros
- Easy to create and manage
- Allows for better organization of your website
- Can be used for various purposes
- Free with most Bluehost plans
Cons
- Can lead to duplicate content if not managed properly
- Limited resources if you have multiple subdomains on a shared hosting plan
- May require additional fees if you need more resources for your subdomains
FAQs
Q: Can I create unlimited subdomains on Bluehost?
A: It depends on your hosting plan. Bluehost’s shared hosting plans come with a limit on the number of subdomains you can create. However, their VPS and dedicated hosting plans allow for an unlimited number of subdomains.
Q: Can I use a different CMS for my subdomain than my main domain on Bluehost?
A: Yes, you can use a different CMS for your subdomain as it is treated as a separate website.
Q: Can I change the document root of my subdomain on Bluehost?
A: Yes, you can change the document root of your subdomain through either the cPanel or FTP method mentioned earlier in this article.
Q: Can I create a subdomain for a parked or add-on domain on Bluehost?
A: No, Bluehost’s subdomains are only valid for the primary domain associated with your hosting account.
Q: Do I need to purchase a separate SSL certificate for my subdomain on Bluehost?
A: No, Bluehost provides a free SSL certificate for all domains and subdomains hosted on their platform.
Conclusion
Creating and managing subdomains on Bluehost is a simple and effective way to keep your website organized and enhance its functionality. With the step-by-step guide and tips provided in this article, you can easily create and manage subdomains on Bluehost for various purposes. So go ahead and explore the possibilities of using subdomains on Bluehost for your website.
