Understanding Subdomains: Their Functions and Types

Do you know what a subdomain is? A subdomain is a component of a domain. A domain itself is a website address, or URL, that you typically enter to visit a site. Examples of domains include www.google.com, www.facebook.com, and others.

Each domain consists of three components: the subdomain, the Second-Level Domain (SLD), and the Top-Level Domain (TLD). In this article, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of everything related to subdomains.

As additional information, you’ll also get a brief explanation of each component to help you understand domains as a whole. Let’s take a look at the full review below.

What Is a Subdomain?

As mentioned in the introduction to this article, a domain consists of three components, one of which is the subdomain. What is a subdomain? A subdomain is the term used for the front or left part of a domain.

For example, in the domain www.google.com, the part referred to as the subdomain is “www.” What about the rest? The “Google” part is called the Second-Level Domain, and the “.com” part falls under the Top-Level Domain.

From the example above, do you now understand what a subdomain is? The concept of a subdomain is very easy to grasp, isn’t it? Essentially, in every domain, the leftmost part of the URL is the subdomain.

{{blogcard id=”41″}}

What Are the Different Types of Subdomains?

Subdomains come in various types tailored to their respective functions. What are the different types of subdomains? Below are at least 7 types of subdomains you’re most likely to encounter when visiting Google’s SERP (Search Engine Results Page).

1. Blog

The “www” subdomain is indeed the most common in website addresses. However, you’ve likely also come across blog subdomains containing information ranging from tips and tricks to brief reviews written by the website owner.

2. Info

A website may be dedicated solely to providing information about products or services for sale, as well as information about a brand. On websites using the “info” subdomain, you can find all the information that visitors typically need or want to know.

3. News

When visiting a website, you’ve surely noticed a “news” subdomain, haven’t you? For example, news.detik.com. Websites with a “news” subdomain are designed to present all the latest information related to social life.

Through this website, you can get the latest news about recent events in a matter of seconds, based on the current situation or conditions. It can be said that the “news” subdomain is one of the fastest to update on a website.

4. Store

If you want to use a website for commercial purposes, you can directly use a “store” subdomain. Typically, this subdomain is used by companies that want to create a subsidiary website dedicated to sales. Thus, their main website is focused solely on presenting information related to a specific company or brand.

5. FAQ

FAQ, which stands for Frequently Asked Questions, is one of the most commonly used subdomain types by companies and brands. The purpose of this subdomain is to provide answers to questions frequently asked by customers.

If you run a business in the sales sector, it’s a good idea to create a website with an FAQ subdomain. Its purpose is to help customers find the answers they need when they want to make a purchase or look for information about a product.

6. Contact

Where can customers find you or contact you? To provide information about your company’s contact details, you can create a “contact” subdomain.

Through this subdomain, customers can access the information they need if they wish to contact or visit your company or store.

7. id./en.

Some websites use language-specific subdomains such as “id.” (short for Indonesia) and “en.” (short for English). These subdomains indicate that the website is available in two languages: Indonesian and English.

{{blogcard id=”166″}}

What Is the Purpose of a Subdomain?

You need to use subdomains according to your needs and their intended functions. Subdomains shouldn’t be chosen arbitrarily or used generically—such as simply using “www.”

Why should you choose the right subdomain? What is the function of a subdomain? Here are some functions you need to understand.

1. Creating a Website with a Specific Purpose

You can create a subdomain name tailored to your company’s website needs. If you need a website for selling products, you can simply use the “store” subdomain. If your website has a dedicated section for presenting content, you can use the “blog” subdomain.

Using subdomains with their respective functions will help you focus more effectively on optimizing your website, thereby generating high traffic. Internet users will also find it easier to understand the purpose of your website’s content.

2. Optimizing Your Website for Mobile Viewing

The website layout you see on a computer screen will naturally differ from what’s displayed on a mobile device. If your website doesn’t display well on mobile or has excessively long loading times, it needs to be reoptimized and should use the “m” subdomain—which stands for “mobile.”

3. Reaching a Wider Market in the Digital World

Using subdomains also helps you reach a wider market in the digital world. How is that possible? It’s because internet users can instantly find information about your company with just a single tap online.

You can also tap into the global market by using subdomains for two or more languages. Internet users from any country will ultimately be able to understand the purpose and content of your company’s website.

When Should You Use a Subdomain?

You might be wondering whether you should use different subdomains when creating a company website. The answer depends on your needs.

To understand what’s required, you need to know the right times to use subdomains, as follows:

1. Segmenting Target Markets

Do you have multiple target markets to reach due to the wide variety of products you offer? If so, use subdomains to help you segment the internet users visiting your website.

2. Improving User Experience Across Different Device Types

The internet can be accessed via various types of devices, but not all websites are fully optimized to adapt to these different devices. The solution is to use subdomains to tailor the website to your company’s needs.

3. Conducting A/B Testing

Websites must be updated periodically to align with current user needs. To ensure your website remains accessible during maintenance, you can use subdomains to conduct A/B testing.

What Are the Benefits of Subdomains?

Subdomains offer various benefits for your website. Here are the benefits of subdomains that you can enjoy:

1. No Additional Costs

Creating a subdomain won’t cost you a single penny. This also applies when you create additional subdomains.

2. Customizable Subdomain Names

As mentioned earlier, you can customize subdomain names to suit your needs. This allows you to organize your website’s structure more neatly and easily.

3. Features Similar to the Main Domain

The subdomains you create will have features similar to those of the main domain. Therefore, you won’t need to go through the hassle of installing plugins or other tools when creating a subdomain.

What’s the Difference Between a Domain and a Subdomain?

Do you now understand what a subdomain is? And do you understand the difference between a domain and a subdomain? In the next section, you can read a summary of the differences between subdomains and domains for a clearer explanation.

1. Difference in Function

A domain is the entire URL address, whereas a subdomain is just one part of the entire domain. Therefore, a subdomain requires a domain and cannot exist on its own.

2. Cost Differences

You don’t need to pay anything to use a subdomain. However, for the entire domain—from the SLD to the TLD—you’ll need to pay a subscription fee that varies depending on the website’s specific needs.

{{blogcard id=”165″}}

3. SEO Differences

A website has a significant impact on SEO results. Search engine results pages (SERPs) don’t just look at the content of your articles—they also consider your website’s subdomains. If you use the right subdomain, your SEO performance will be rated positively. Using the domain as a whole, however, won’t affect the website’s SEO performance.

Now you understand what a subdomain is and how it works, right? Make sure you use the right subdomain based on your needs. Additionally, use the right cloud server to optimize your website’s performance.

If your website isn’t performing well, please contact Cloudmatika right away. We’ll help with everything needed to improve your website’s performance using one of our best services: Cloud Virtual Private Server.