Sub domains

[Windac]

This topic might not only apply to dedicated hosting but I thought it was more appropriate than the other forums.

My question is how do you get a subdomain? I've only used urls like: www.example.com/forum but I want to know how to get something like www.forum.example.com

Also, if you have a subdomain, are all pages still uploaded to the same spot or is it counted as a different FTP account?

[carl owen]

If you wish to create a subdomain like forums.yourdomain.com then you can create a subdomain like forums.yourdomain.com in your hosting account and then upload all the data of your forums on this subdomain ;)

When it comes to FTP accounts, you can create a different FTP account for this subdomain or you can also use the main FTP account :dancing:

[Cherry]

Originally Posted by carl owen

If you wish to create a subdomain like forums.yourdomain.com then you can create a subdomain like forums.yourdomain.com in your hosting account and then upload all the data of your forums on this subdomain ;)

When it comes to FTP accounts, you can create a different FTP account for this subdomain or you can also use the main FTP account :dancing:

So technically, if we want to just do everything in regards to FTP for any subdomain, once we create the subdomain we can do all uploads from the main FTP? Because anything I have to add extra, is just going to confuse me more .

[Windac]

I think my question is similar to the above. Do I upload to a different directory in my main account? Is it seperated from the main domain? Also, is there really any advantage in doing this?

[Quilceda]

I think subdomains typically just fall in a folder in the main directory. You can use the same FTP information to access them (or designate an FTP account that can only access each one, but this is probably unnecessary for you).

I usually use subdomains to organize different sections of a large website or put one domain to multiple uses.

[Windac]

Is having a subdomain better than having just a directory? (/example) If there isn't a difference, which is better?

Do I have to contact the hosting service to set this up or can I do it by myself?

[Cherry]

Okay good to know I can do it the simple way because I would get confused more easily with more things to remember or try to figure out.

Windac, I think this is something easily done ourselves from what I've read in the tutorials.

[webnubie]

Originally Posted by Windac

Is having a subdomain better than having just a directory? (/example) If there isn't a difference, which is better? Do I have to contact the hosting service to set this up or can I do it by myself?

I ever read an interview with Matt Cutts from Google, which specializes in search engine optimization issues. I think he said that you don't need to create a subdomain unless it is really necessary. It's better to go for a directory. You know, in Google also, they use directories more than subdomains, like google.com/adsense, google.com/webmastertools, etc.

[carl owen]

Originally Posted by Cherry

So technically, if we want to just do everything in regards to FTP for any subdomain, once we create the subdomain we can do all uploads from the main FTP?

Yes, it is possible to upload all the data of the subdomain through the main FTP account and it is also possible to upload all the data from a different FTP account.

Originally Posted by Windac

I think my question is similar to the above. Do I upload to a different directory in my main account? Is it separated from the main domain? Also, is there really any advantage in doing this?

You need to upload all the data in the home directory of the subdomain which is separated from the main domain.

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by Windac

Is having a subdomain better than having just a directory? (/example) If there isn't a difference, which is better?

Do I have to contact the hosting service to set this up or can I do it by myself?

Directory and sub domain are one and the same, if you know how to use Control panel you can easily configure it on your own , if you are not sure about it you can contact your Web hosting provider and can get it done quite easily :dancing:

[Mickey]

No, it's not the same. A sub domain (http://subdomain.maindomain.com) is considered and hosted like a totally different website, while a directory (http://www.maindomain.com/directory) is like part of your main domain.

[Amelia]

Originally Posted by Mickey

No, it's not the same. A sub domain (http://subdomain.maindomain.com) is considered and hosted like a totally different website, while a directory (http://www.maindomain.com/directory) is like part of your main domain.

That's right. Sub-domains also have an A entry set in the DNS Zone for the domain name.

[DavidJ]

Man, I'm totally confused now. Which is which and what is what? Hammering

I'm trying to figure this out, I hope I am correct with my understanding. Here I go!

Sub-domains are like separate websites that has its own data but is linked to the main domain, is this correct?

Now, directories on the other hand is a part of the main domain but the sub-domain could also acquire information from it, am I right? Or does the sub-domain has its own directory?

But this gets more complicated again because carl said:

You need to upload all the data in the home directory of the subdomain which is separated from the main domain.

I'm lost, really!

[Mickey]

@ DavidJ: When it comes to organizing your files on the hosting server, a sub domain is similar to a directory. While you store your main domain's files in the root directory (public html?), you store your sub domain's files in a directory under the public domain directory. And the files of your "directory" are stored in the same way.

[Fletcher]

I agree with you Mickey ,
@ DavidJ: I hope it has cleared all your doubts now

[carl owen]

Originally Posted by DavidJ

Sub-domains are like separate websites that has its own data but is linked to the main domain, is this correct?

Yes, that's right. Basically, the data of the main domain is under public_html folder and if you create a subdomain, the data of the subdomain is under a folder which is under public_html.

Originally Posted by DavidJ

Now, directories on the other hand is a part of the main domain but the sub-domain could also acquire information from it, am I right?

Yes, the directories are a part of the main domain and the subdomain can also acquire information from it.

Originally Posted by DavidJ

Or does the sub-domain has its own directory?

Yes, the subdomain has it's own individual directory under the public_html folder of the main domain.

Please feel free to post if you have any further questions