Subdomains are powerful tools for organizing your website, making it easier to navigate, and even sending users to entirely different websites (by pointing the subdomain to a different IP address). With such potential, we’d like to show you how to create subdomain in GoDaddy.
Once you’ve finished this tutorial, you’ll be able to use something like blog.example.com or support.example.com to specify unique areas of your website with GoDaddy.
Let’s get started!
What you need to create a subdomain in GoDaddy
Follow the steps below to create a subdomain in GoDaddy. Later, we explain how to delete and edit subdomains.
The setup
There are a few requirements before learning how to create subdomain in GoDaddy:
👉 You must have a GoDaddy account and a domain name already managed in the GoDaddy dashboard.
There are two ways to achieve this:
- Purchase a domain name through GoDaddy (which subsequently makes a GoDaddy account for you)
- Transfer a domain name to an existing GoDaddy account
To purchase a domain, log into your GoDaddy account. Under My Products, use the Search for a new domain field to find a suitable domain name and buy it.
Already have a domain registered with a different company? To transfer it to GoDaddy, open the Domain Portfolio by clicking My Account > Domains. Choose Transfers, then Transfer to GoDaddy.
⚠️ Note: GoDaddy provides a free subdomain on the GoDaddy Sites domain (example.godaddysites.com) when you use the GoDaddy Website Builder. If you want to have a domain name of your own with its own subdomains, however, you’ll have to pay for it.
Once a top-level domain name is registered with GoDaddy, you’re ready to learn how to create subdomain in GoDaddy.
How to create subdomain in GoDaddy
- Step 1: Find the domain name for which you’d like to attach a subdomain
- Step 2: Open the DNS settings for that domain
- Step 3: Add an A record to point a subdomain to an IP address
- Step 4: Add a CNAME record to point the subdomain to a domain name
- Step 5: Test and use the subdomain
Step 1: Find the domain name for which you’d like to attach a subdomain
There are several ways to locate the list of domain names currently linked to your GoDaddy account.
One method is to click on the My Account button. In the dropdown menu, choose Domains.
Another quick method is to locate the Domain section under All Products and Services. Click Manage All.
This opens your Domain Portfolio, where you can adjust DNS settings and add subdomains.
Click the domain name for which you’d like to add a subdomain.
Step 2: Open the DNS settings for that domain
The DNS (domain name system) settings dictate things like servers used for domain names, along with records to add subdomains.
Once you open a domain name in GoDaddy, open the DNS tab.
You’ll find a collection of DNS Records, all of which work to control specific things.
Step 3: Add an A record to point a subdomain to an IP address
There are various types of records you can add to the DNS area. The ones you need to know for how to create subdomain in GoDaddy are A and CNAME records.
An A record can be used to point a new subdomain to an IP address (usually the IP address from your hosting company).
Begin by clicking on the Add New Record button in the DNS section.
This opens the New Records creator in GoDaddy.
Here’s how to fill it out:
- Type: A
- Name: Whatever you want as the subdomain (the part before your domain name, like store, blog, or support) to produce something like this: store.example.com (don’t put any dots in this field)
- Value: The IP address you’d like to point the subdomain at (usually the IP of your hosting company)
- TTL: Choose 1 hour—that’s the default for the DNS server to refresh data
Once that’s all typed in, click Save.
You’ll see a new A record in the list with the subdomain chosen and IP address value.
Step 4: Add a CNAME record to point the subdomain to a domain name
An alternative to pointing a subdomain to an IP address is to utilize a CNAME record (instead of an A record). This allows you to point the new subdomain at a domain name, creating a type of alias, instead of linking it to your hosting account IP.
To begin that process, click on the Add New Record button under DNS Records in GoDaddy.
Fill out these fields:
- Type: CNAME
- Name: Your desired subdomain, such as blog, store, or support (which would result in something like shop.example.com)
- Value: The domain name you’d like to point the subdomain to
- TTL: You can usually pick 1 hour, as this is the default for the server to cache data
Click on the Save button once you’re done.
Step 5: Test and use the subdomain
Whether you opt for a CNAME record or A record, a successful DNS record appears in the list.
For instance, we can see a CNAME record that points to our domain name, adding a subdomain that starts with “blog.”
Tips on creating and managing a subdomain in GoDaddy
Learning how to create subdomain in GoDaddy requires simple DNS record manipulation, but there are other things to keep in mind while making and managing subdomains.
How long does it take the DNS to update?
Some users get frustrated when they can’t access their subdomain immediately after creating an A or CNAME record in GoDaddy.
You must keep in mind, however, that all new and modified DNS records take about one hour to update. On rare occasions, a global update can take up to two days. Our best advice is to be patient, and contact GoDaddy customer support if it takes too long.
Managing/changing an existing subdomain record in GoDaddy
At some point, you may find that you no longer need a subdomain in GoDaddy, or perhaps you’d like to edit its DNS records.
To edit any previously created DNS records in GoDaddy, open the Domain Portfolio, and click on DNS. Choose to view the DNS records for the desired domain name.
Under DNS Records, locate the one you’d like to modify. Click the Edit (Pencil) icon.
This opens editable fields for the DNS record. You are welcome to modify elements like Type, Name, Value, or TTL.
Click Save.
Deleting a subdomain record in GoDaddy
To delete a subdomain in GoDaddy, you must remove the DNS record that created it in the first place.
In the GoDaddy Domain Portfolio, navigate to DNS, then pick the relevant domain name.
In the DNS Record panel, scroll to the CNAME or A record that establishes a subdomain for your domain name. Next to that listing, click the Delete (Trash Can) icon.
GoDaddy shows a popup to confirm the deletion. Click Delete Record.
Find the ideal domain for GoDaddy
🏗️ Ready to start building your website?
Begin with our domain name generator for AI-assisted domain ideas. Then, you can transfer the domain to GoDaddy, and use this guide on how to add a subdomain!
