This article deals with setting up a subdomain on Webhosting. Typically, this is a subdomain that you run on the same service as the main domain. To set up a subdomain in DNS (for example, for a site on another provider), follow the DNS - Subdomains tutorial.
In this article you will learn:
- When to set up subdomains on Webhosting
- How to create a subdomain:
- How to set up HTTPS on a subdomain
- Common problems
- Frequently Asked Questions
Subdomains on Webhosting
You can create any number of subdomains with separate websites on the Webhosting with the main domain name. Make sure you meet the following conditions:
- In your domain's DNS records, you have A (or AAAA) records with the name * or specific subdomains that point to Webhosting.
- You use the default .htaccess file in the www folder, or the routing rules added in the WEDOS directory structure at the end of the custom .htaccess.
- In the www folder on the FTP you have domains and subdomains directories according to the requirements of the Webhosting directory structure.
If the domain does not use our DNS, check with the DNS server provider you actually use.
Create a subdomain via FTP
You can create subdomain sites via FTP in the www/domains or www/subdom folder. This option affects the behavior of subdomains relative to aliases. If you do not use aliases, we recommend using the www/domains folder.
For instructions on how to manage files via FTP, see Webhosting - File Management.
To create a subdomain via FTP, follow these steps:
- Log in to FTP, for example via the WebFTP client ⧉(Manual).
- Enter the www/subdom or www/domains folder.
- Create a new directory according to the instructions for the folder.
- Upload the site files, including index.html or index.php.
Subdomains in www/subdom
The sites in the www/subdom folder are common subdomains of all alias domains. You create a new subdomain here by creating a directory with the name of the subdomain itself without the domain extension. For example, on the domena.tld web host, you create a subdomain named shop.domena.tld by adding a folder named shop to the www/subdom folder.
Subdomains in www/domains
Sites in the domains folder are displayed only on the 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 domena.tld web host, you create a subdomain named obchod.domena.tld by adding a folder named obchod.domena.tld to the www/domains folder.
To create a subdomain with the application installer
If you are using an application installer to create your site, you do not need to manually create the subdomain folder in FTP. Just make sure that if it exists in www/domains, it is empty (otherwise the installer will return an error).
To install the application on a subdomain, just enter the subdomain name between http:// and the domain name in the first step of the installation. For example, on the domena.tld web host, you create the subdomain store.domena.tld by entering the word store in the field between http:// and domena.tld.
Setting up HTTPS on a subdomain
It usually takes up to 90 minutes to get HTTPS fully operational (activation and certificate signing).
To activate HTTPS on webhosting, follow the instructions Webhosting - Quick HTTPS Setup. Then follow the instructions Webhosting - Manual HTTPS Setup to enter domain and subdomain management.
Add subdomains to the certificate using the following procedure:
- Click the Add Domains button.
- At the bottom of the form, enter a list of subdomains (without the main domain name) separated by commas.
- Confirm the addition by clicking Add Domains at the bottom of the form.
If no error occurs, HTTPS will be active for subdomains within 1.5 hours.
Common problems
Common problems with managing subdomains on Webhosting include:
- Error 500 on subdomain
- Application Installer fails to create a subdomain
- Incompatible .htaccess of the main site
Error 500 on subdomain
Problem: After creating a subdomain in the domains and subdomain folder, Error 500 Internal Server Error is displayed.
Cause: you must create the subdomain in either the domains folder or the subdomain folder, not both.
Solution: Delete one of the conflicting folders in domains/subdomain.
Cannot create a subdomain folder with the installer
Problem: The application installer reports an error: The destination directory /www/domains/sub.domain.tld is not empty.
Cause: the installer detected an existing installation or remnants of an existing installation on FTP.
Solution: Log in to FTP and delete the entire subdomain folder in the domains folder. Do not create a new one.
Incompatible .htaccess of the main site
Problem: The .htaccess file of my content management system is not compatible with the default .htaccess of WEDOS, so the subdomains do not work.
Cause: editing systems located in the www folder may override the .htaccess file with their own rules, or their rules may not be compatible with those in the default .htaccess.
Solution: If you have a problematic main site in the www folder, move it to the www/domains/domena.tld folder, where domain.tld is the domain of the main site. Then restore the default .htaccess.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I create a subdomain in both domains and subdomains, which will show up?
Error 500 will occur. Select one location for your subdomain and delete the duplicate subdomain.
What should the default .htaccess file look like in the subdomain folder?
The default .htaccess file is found only in the www folder. You can have any .htaccess files in the subdomain folders. If any .htaccess file conflicts or if you enter a prohibited command, Error 500 will occur.
Where does a visitor who enters a non-existent subdomain go?
If the subdomain does not exist in the subdomains folder, the content from the www folder is displayed.