A domain is an address that you register and pay for, for example, przyklad.pl, and a subdomain is a part of that address created by the domain owner and added to the beginning, for example, sklep.przyklad.pl. You don't need to register or purchase a subdomain separately. Simply add the appropriate record to your domain's DNS zone. However, a subdomain can point to a completely different website on a different server.
To sum it up
- Domain registered with the registrar, usually for a year or longer, and subject to renewal. Subdomain It is created separately in DNS and does not require separate payment.
- The subdomain is part of the domain : It disappears when the domain expires.
- A subdomain can point to another server and application, other than the main domain, for example, a store, blog, or client control panel.
- Standard SSL certificate for przyklad.pl does not cover automatically Subdomains. You will need a separate certificate for each subdomain or a certificate with a wildcard (*).
What is a domain?
Domain — is a name in the DNS system that replaces the server's hard-to-remember IP address. When you type "przyklad.pl" into your browser, the DNS system checks the IP address where the website is hosted and redirects your connection there.
Domain names are read from right to left, from general to specific. przyklad.pl «".pl" is top-level domain (TLD), and "przyklad" is the name chosen by the owner. Together, they form a second-level domain, which is registered with a registrar (in the case of .pl, through NASK partners) and must be renewed regularly.
What is a subdomain?
Subdomain — is a domain that is part of another, parent domain. In the case sklep.przyklad.pl, «"sklep" is the subdomain name, and "przyklad.pl" is the parent domain. Other levels may be added: pl.pomoc.przyklad.pl — is a subdomain of a subdomain. Each part of the name can contain up to 63 characters, and the entire name can contain up to 253 characters.
Technically, in DNS, every domain is a subdomain of a higher-level domain. Even ".pl" is a subdomain of the root DNS server. However, in practice, when we say "subdomain," we mean an address created within a registered domain.
The owner creates a subdomain by adding a record to the domain's DNS zone, such as an A record (IP address), a CNAME record (an alias for another name), or an NS record (forwarding the subdomain to another DNS server). In hosting control panels, this is usually done in a single form. Popular examples include www , blog , shop , email и en.wikipedia.org .
Domain vs. Subdomain – Differences Table
| Characteristic | Domain | Subdomain |
|---|---|---|
| Example | przyklad.pl | sklep.przyklad.pl |
| How it's done | Register with a domain name registrar | A record in the DNS zone of a domain |
| Expenses | Registration and renewal fees | There is no separate fee for the name itself. |
| Who makes decisions on this issue? | Domain owner | Owner of the parent domain |
| Addiction | Independent | Stops working after domain expiration. |
| Server | Any | May point to a different server than the primary domain. |
| SSL certificate | Certificate in this name | A single certificate, a multi-name certificate, or a wildcard certificate. |
Subdomain, SSL certificate and technical independence
SSL certificate. The certificate issued for przyklad.pl protects only this name and the names listed within it. The subdomain does not automatically inherit it. A solution could be a separate certificate, a certificate with multiple names, or a certificate with a wildcard (*.przyklad.pl). The latter only covers one level of subdomains. It does not protect przyklad.pl itself or, for example, abprzyklad.pl, unless they are also specified.
Independence. A subdomain can run on a different server and with different software than the main website. This allows a store, blog, or booking system to be technically separate from the company's website. This works both ways: a failure in one application won't necessarily affect the other.
Subdomain or subdirectory – which to choose?
When you want to add a new section to your website, you usually have two options: a subdomain ( blog.example.pl ) or subdirectory ( example.pl/blog ). Google's documentation on multilingual websites lists the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions, rather than stating which one is always better.
- Choose subdirectory, if the new section is simply part of the same page, runs on the same system (for example, a blog in the same WordPress), and you want to have one site for maintenance and analysis.
- Choose subdomain, If the section is a separate application or a separate website: a store on another platform, a client control panel, a test version of a website, a website for another country, or an external service that needs to be connected to its own address.
- Register new domain when creating a separate brand or project that will exist independently of your main company.
It's important to remember that analytics tools often treat a subdomain as a separate website. In Google Search Console, the "domain" property includes all subdomains, while the property added with the URL prefix includes only the specific address. Similarly, it's important to ensure that traffic between the domain and subdomain is accurately accounted for in your statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to pay for a subdomain?
It's not about the name itself. A subdomain is created by the domain owner in its DNS zone. However, the hosting service hosting the subdomain may charge a fee, and some hosting plans limit the number of subdomains.
Is www a subdomain?
Yes. www.przyklad.pl is technically a subdomain of przyklad.pl. Typically, both names point to the same page, with one redirecting to the other, but they can be configured independently.
Is it possible to have a subdomain without the main domain?
This isn't your domain, as a subdomain is always part of the domain. However, some services (such as website builders) offer a free address on their own domain, such as nazwa.usluga.pl. In these cases, the subdomain belongs to the provider, not you.
What is a root domain?
Colloquially, this is the domain you registered, such as example.pl, as opposed to the subdomains created within it. It's also called a parent domain or second-level domain.
Does a domain's SSL certificate work on a subdomain?
Not automatically. The certificate must contain the subdomain name: either by including it in the certificate itself or by using a wildcard certificate, *.example.pl, which includes one level of subdomains.
See also
- What is the difference between a company and an enterprise?
- What is the difference between a data flow and a process?
- What is the difference between Windows Pro and Home?
- What is the difference between SEO and SEM in internet marketing?