What is Domain and Subdomain: A Complete Guide for Beginners

If you are new to the world of web development, you might have heard the terms domain and subdomain, but what do they mean and how do they affect your website? In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about domain and subdomain, including their definitions, examples, advantages, and disadvantages. We will also show you how to use a tool called Ahrefs’ Content Explorer2 to find and analyze popular articles on any topic, and how to use them for your own content creation.

Daftar Isi

What is a Domain?

A domain is the unique name of a website that identifies it on the internet. For example, google.com, facebook.com, and wikipedia.org are all domains. A domain consists of two parts: a domain name and a top-level domain (TLD). The domain name is the part that you choose and register, such as google, facebook, or wikipedia. The TLD is the part that comes after the dot, such as .com, .org, .net, etc. The TLD indicates the purpose or category of the website, such as commercial, non-profit, network, etc. Some TLDs also indicate the country or region of the website, such as .uk, .ca, .au, etc.

A domain is the main address of your website, and it is connected to every page of your website. For example, if your domain is example.com, your homepage URL will be example.com, your about page URL will be example.com/about, your contact page URL will be example.com/contact, and so on. A domain is also the basis for your email address, such as name@example.com.

What is a Subdomain?

A subdomain is a part of a domain that creates a separate section or category on your website. For example, blog.example.com, store.example.com, and support.example.com are all subdomains of example.com. A subdomain is also a domain, but it is a child of the main domain. A subdomain has its own domain name and TLD, but it also has a prefix that comes before the main domain name, such as blog, store, or support.

A subdomain functions like a separate website from the main domain. It can have its own content, design, platform, analytics, and SEO. A subdomain can be useful for organizing your website content into different sections, such as a blog, an online store, a support forum, etc. A subdomain can also be used for targeting different audiences, such as different languages, locations, or niches.

Domain vs Subdomain: What are the Differences?

There are several differences between a domain and a subdomain, such as:

URL structure: a domain URL looks like example.com, while a subdomain URL looks like subdomain.example.com.
Hosting: a domain can be hosted on any server, while a subdomain can be hosted on the same server as the main domain or a different server.
Registration: a domain has to be registered and paid for, while a subdomain can be created for free under an existing domain.
Management: a domain can be managed by one or more people, while a subdomain can be managed by a different person or team from the main domain.
SEO: a domain affects the overall SEO of your website, while a subdomain is treated as a separate entity by search engines and has its own SEO.

Domain vs Subdomain: Which One is Better for SEO?

There is no definitive answer to whether a domain or a subdomain is better for SEO, as it depends on your goals, resources, and preferences. However, there are some general pros and cons of each option that you should consider before making a decision.

Pros of Domain

A domain is easier to remember and type than a subdomain.
A domain can build a stronger brand identity and recognition than a subdomain.
A domain can benefit from the domain authority and backlinks of the entire website, which can boost its ranking and visibility.
A domain can avoid the risk of subdomain takeover, which is when a hacker or a malicious actor gains control of a subdomain and redirects it to a different website.

Cons of Domain

A domain can be more expensive and competitive to register than a subdomain.
A domain can be harder to organize and navigate than a subdomain, especially if the website has a lot of content and sections.
A domain can dilute the focus and relevance of the website, which can affect its ranking and user experience.

Pros of Subdomain

A subdomain can create a clear and logical distinction between different sections or categories of a website, which can improve the user experience and navigation.
A subdomain can target a specific audience or niche, which can increase the relevance and conversion rate of the website.
A subdomain can have its own platform, design, analytics, and SEO, which can give more flexibility and control to the website owner or manager.

Cons of Subdomain

A subdomain can be harder to remember and type than a domain, which can affect the traffic and brand awareness of the website.
A subdomain can have a lower domain authority and backlinks than the main domain, which can affect its ranking and visibility.
A subdomain can require more resources and maintenance than a domain, such as hosting, security, and SEO.

Conclusion

Domain and subdomain are two important terms that you should know and understand if you want to create and optimize your website. A domain is the main address of your website, while a subdomain is a part of a domain that creates a separate section or category on your website. Both options have their pros and cons, and you should choose the one that suits your goals.