Webhosting – Subdomains

In this article you will learn:

• When to set up subdomains on Webhosting
• How to create a subdomain:
  • on FTP
  • using the application installer
• How to set up HTTPS on a subdomain
• Common problems
• Frequently Asked Questions

Subdomains on Webhosting

On Webhosting named after the main domain, you can create any number of subdomains with separate websites for this domain (and, if applicable, its aliases). Make sure that you meet the following conditions:

• In DNS records of the domain you have A records (or AAAA records) with the name * or with specific subdomains that point to the Webhosting.
• You are using the default .htaccess file in the www folder, or you have added the routing rules for the WEDOS directory structure at the end of your own .htaccess.
• In the www folder on FTP, you have the directories domains and subdom according to the requirements of the Webhosting directory structure.

Creating a subdomain via FTP

You can create subdomain websites via FTP in the folder www/domains, or www/subdom. This choice affects how subdomains behave with respect to aliases. If you do not use aliases, we recommend using the folder www/domains.

To create a subdomain via FTP, follow these steps:

1. Log in to FTP, for example using the client WebFTP ⧉ (Manual).
2. Enter the folder www/subdom or www/domains.
3. Create a new directory according to the instructions for the given folder.
4. Upload the website files, including index.html or index.php.

Subdomains in www/subdom

Websites in the folder www/subdom are shared subdomains of all alias domains. You create a new subdomain here by creating a directory named after the subdomain itself, without the domain extension. For example, on the Webhosting domain.tld you create the subdomain shop.domain.tld by adding a folder named shop to the folder www/subdom.

Subdomains in www/domains

Websites in the domains folder are displayed exclusively on the given domain or subdomain (with or without www).

You create a new subdomain here by creating a directory with the complete domain name, including the domain extension. For example, on the Webhosting domain.tld you create the subdomain shop.domain.tld by adding a folder named shop.domain.tld to the folder www/domains.

Creating a subdomain using the application installer

If you use the application installerto build your website, you do not need to create the subdomain folder manually on FTP. Just make sure that if the following folder exists in www/domains , it is empty (otherwise the installer will return an error).

To install an application on a subdomain, simply enter the subdomain name in the first step of the installation itself, between the http:// and the domain name. For example, on the Webhosting domain.tld you create the subdomain shop.domain.tld by entering the word shop in the field between http:// and  domain.tld.

Setting up HTTPS on a subdomain

You activate HTTPS on Webhosting by following the guide Webhosting – Quick HTTPS Setup. By following the guide Webhosting – Manual HTTPS Setup you then enter the management of domains and subdomains.

Add subdomains to the certificate as follows:

1. Click the Add Domains.
2. In the lower part of the form, write a list of subdomains (without the main domain name) separated by commas.
3. Confirm the addition with the Add Domains button at the bottom of the form.

If no error occurs, HTTPS will be active on the subdomains within 1.5 hours.

Common problems

Common problems with managing subdomains on Webhosting include:

• Error 500 on a subdomain
• The application installer cannot create a subdomain
• Incompatible .htaccess of the main website
• HTTPS does not work on a subdomain with www

# 301 redirect www.sub.domain.tld -> sub.domain.tld
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.([^.]+\.[^.]+\.[^.]+)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^ https://%1%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]

Frequently Asked Questions