---
title: "Subdomain"
description: "A subdomain is the part of an address that precedes the main domain, e.g. shop.yourcompany.com. Learn its structure, DNS setup and practical uses."
url: "https://nodea.io/en/glossary/subdomain"
lang: "en"
updated: "2026-07-13"
---

# Subdomain

> A subdomain is a separated part of a domain name placed before the main domain, letting you create distinct addresses within one domain, such as shop.yourcompany.com.

A **subdomain** is a separated part of a domain name placed before the main domain and divided from it by a dot. In the address *shop.yourcompany.com*, the segment *shop* is a subdomain of the domain *yourcompany.com*. Subdomains let you create distinct, logically separated addresses within a single registered domain, without having to buy additional names.

## How a subdomain works

A subdomain is handled by the [DNS](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/dns) system, just like the main domain. For a subdomain to start working, an appropriate record must be added to the DNS zone, pointing to where its content lives:

- **A record** — directs the subdomain straight to the server's IP address ([A record](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/a-record));
- **CNAME record** — directs the subdomain to another domain name, for example an external service ([CNAME record](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/cname-record));
- **wildcard record** — handles all unspecified subdomains with a single entry.

A subdomain can point to the same server as the main domain or to entirely different hosting, so different parts of a site can run independently. The structure is hierarchical, and in theory you can nest further levels, such as *panel.client.yourcompany.com*.

## Practical application

Subdomains are used to organize a site and separate its functions. Typical examples are *blog.company.com*, *shop.company.com*, *panel.company.com* or *help.company.com*. Companies use subdomains for language versions, staging environments, client panels and applications hosted with external providers. In most [hosting](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/hosting) plans, creating subdomains is available without limits from the control panel.

From an SEO perspective, it is worth remembering that search engines often treat a subdomain as a separate site, which means its authority builds up partly independently of the main domain. The decision whether to place a new section on a subdomain or in a directory of the main domain should therefore take into account your positioning strategy and how the content is meant to be linked.

### Is a subdomain a separate site or part of the main domain?

A subdomain belongs to the same main domain but can point to a completely different server and host an independent site or application. Search engines often treat a subdomain as a separate entity, so its content may be indexed independently of the main domain.

### How do I create a subdomain?

You create a subdomain in the DNS management panel or the hosting panel by adding an A record pointing to the server's IP address, or a CNAME record pointing to another name. Once the record is added and DNS has propagated, the subdomain starts working. Many hosting panels include a dedicated subdomain wizard.

## Related

- [DNS](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/dns)
- [CNAME record](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/cname-record)
- [A record](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/a-record)
- [Domain Authority](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/domain-authority)
- [Wildcard DNS](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/wildcard-dns)

---

Languages: [pl](https://nodea.pl/pl/slownik-pojec/subdomena.md)  
Site index: [llms.txt](https://nodea.io/en/llms.txt)