How to Create a Subdomain in cPanel
In cPanel, open Domains → Create a New Domain, type the full hostname such as blog.example.com, untick Share document root so it gets its own folder, and click Submit. The new folder appears immediately; the name loads once DNS for it points at the server. Then run AutoSSL for the new hostname.
For cPanel users adding a blog, shop, staging copy or app on its own hostname under an existing domain.
knowledge
- Read time
- 4 min
- Sections
- 6
- Updated
- 14 Nov 2026
- Written by
- WebJi® team
Last editorial update: 14 November 2026.
What is a subdomain, and when should you use one?
A subdomain is a hostname under a domain you already own, such as blog.example.com, with its own folder and its own website, and it does not need to be registered separately. Use one when a section needs its own address, software or audience.
| Type | Example | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Subdomain | shop.example.com | A section needs its own site, app or staging copy |
| Addon domain | otherbrand.com | A second registered domain shares the hosting account |
| Subfolder | example.com/blog | The section belongs inside the main site |
| www | www.example.com | It is already the main site; do not create it again |
For the SEO trade-off between the two layouts, see subdomain vs subdirectory; what is a subdomain covers the DNS side.
How do you create a subdomain in cPanel?
In current cPanel, open Domains → Create a New Domain, type the full hostname such as blog.example.com, untick “Share document root”, check the folder and click Submit. Older cPanel themes had a separate Subdomains icon that does the same thing.
- Log in to cPanel for the account that hosts the parent domain.
- Open Domains and click Create a New Domain.
- Enter the full hostname. Labels may contain letters, numbers and hyphens.
- Untick Share document root; if left ticked, the subdomain shows the main site.
- Accept the suggested folder (for example
public_html/blog.example.com) or type an empty one. - Click Submit. cPanel creates the folder and a DNS record in its own zone.
The new folder in File Manager confirms the subdomain exists, even before the name loads in a browser. If Domains is missing, email support@webji.services with the account name.
Which document root should the subdomain use?
Give each subdomain its own empty folder, never public_html itself, because that folder belongs to the main site. Two hostnames should share a folder only when they must show identical pages.
- Safe default: the folder cPanel suggests, named after the subdomain.
- Shorter path:
public_html/blogis fine if it is empty or already holds that site’s files. - Outside public_html: keeps the subdomain’s files from being reachable as example.com/blog, which some developers prefer.
You have the right root when File Manager opens a folder containing only this subdomain’s files.
Why does a new subdomain not load yet?
Either DNS has not caught up, or the domain uses nameservers outside this cPanel account, so the record cPanel created is never published. Check which applies before creating the subdomain again.
dig +short NS example.com # which nameservers are live?
dig +short blog.example.com A # does the subdomain resolve, and to which IP?If the nameservers belong to this host, the name usually answers within minutes, though some networks cache a “not found” answer for longer (see DNS propagation). If the nameservers are elsewhere, such as Cloudflare or your registrar, add an A record for the subdomain there using the same IP as the main site; A record vs CNAME explains which record to use.
How do you add SSL to a subdomain?
Once the subdomain resolves to the server, open Security → SSL/TLS Status and run AutoSSL for it; the main site’s certificate does not cover a new hostname.
If AutoSSL fails, the name probably still points elsewhere or a CAA record blocks the issuer; the steps are in how to install SSL in cPanel. For many subdomains, one wildcard SSL certificate covering *.example.com can be simpler than separate certificates.
How do you install WordPress on a subdomain?
After the subdomain folder exists and the hostname resolves, run the WordPress installer with the subdomain selected as the domain and its folder as the directory. Leaving the directory as the main site’s folder would overwrite the main site.
The rest matches a normal installation; follow install WordPress in cPanel and change only the domain and folder. Subdomains are a common home for test copies, as described in WordPress staging site.
Frequently asked questions
Is creating a subdomain free?
There is no registration fee because the subdomain belongs to a domain you already own. Your hosting plan may limit how many subdomains an account can have. WebJi® does not publish a per-subdomain fee; if the button fails, ask support whether a plan limit is the cause.
Can I create a wildcard subdomain in cPanel?
Yes. Enter *.example.com as the domain so every undefined subdomain loads one folder. This suits multi-tenant apps where each customer gets a subdomain; the application then reads the hostname to decide what to show.
Can I use email addresses on a subdomain?
Yes. Mail for addresses such as sales@shop.example.com needs its own MX record for the subdomain. Create the mailbox under Email Accounts and select the subdomain in the domain menu.
How do I delete a subdomain?
In Domains, find the subdomain and choose Manage, then remove it. cPanel removes the domain entry and its DNS record but usually leaves the folder and files, so delete those separately in File Manager once you no longer need them.
Last editorial update: 15 November 2026.
Ready to get started with WebJi®?
Join 12,000+ businesses across India and overseas. INR pricing, 18% GST shown before payment and 24/7 email support in Hindi and English — average first reply under 60 minutes.