What a subdomain is and why you might need one

A subdomain is a prefix you add to the front of your main domain name. If your domain is example.com, a subdomain might be blog.example.com or shop.example.com. Each subdomain can point to a different website, email system, or service without buying a separate domain.

You might create a subdomain to run a blog separately from your main site, set up a store on a different platform, host a knowledge base, or point to a third-party service like a help desk or scheduling tool. GoDaddy lets you add subdomains directly from your account without extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your GoDaddy account, find your domain in the product list, and click the DNS button to access the records where subdomains live.
  • Add a new A record with your subdomain name (the part before your main domain) and point it to the IP address of the server where your subdomain content will live.
  • If you are pointing the subdomain to a third-party service like Shopify or WordPress.com, use a CNAME record instead and enter the address that service provides.
  • DNS changes take 15 minutes to a few hours to work across the internet, so test the subdomain after waiting rather than when ready.
  • You can create as many subdomains as you need, and each one can point to a completely different service or website.

How to access your DNS records in GoDaddy

Open your GoDaddy account and look for the Products section. Find the domain you want to add a subdomain to and click on it. You will see a row of buttons across the top — click the one labeled DNS. This opens the page where all your domain's records live, including the ones that tell the internet where your subdomains point.

If you do not see a DNS button, look for a gear icon or settings menu on the domain page. Some GoDaddy accounts show the DNS option there instead. Once you are in the DNS section, you will see a list of existing records — these usually include an A record for your main domain and possibly some MX records for email.

Adding a subdomain with an A record

If you are pointing your subdomain to a server you control or to a hosting provider that gave you an IP address, you will use an A record. Scroll to the bottom of your DNS records list and click the button to add a new record. GoDaddy will ask you to choose the record type — select A.

In the Name field, type only the subdomain prefix — if you want blog.example.com, type blog. Leave off your main domain name; GoDaddy adds that automatically. In the Value field, paste the IP address your hosting provider gave you. Leave the TTL (time to live) at the default unless your provider told you to change it. Click Save.

Test the subdomain after 15 minutes to an hour by typing it into your browser. If it does not work yet, wait longer — DNS changes can take up to a few hours to spread across the internet. You can check the status using a free DNS lookup tool like MXToolbox or What's My DNS.

Adding a subdomain that points to a third-party service

If you are pointing your subdomain to Shopify, WordPress.com, Squarespace, or another hosted service, you will use a CNAME record instead of an A record. These services provide you with a special address (often something like shops.myshopify.com or yourname.wordpress.com) that you point your subdomain toward.

Go to your DNS records and add a new record. Select CNAME as the type. In the Name field, type your subdomain prefix (shop, blog, etc.). In the Value field, paste the address the service gave you — this is usually in their domain setup instructions. Click Save and wait 15 minutes to an hour for the change to take effect.

Some services require you to verify ownership of the domain before the subdomain will work. They may ask you to add a specific TXT record or to check a box in their settings once you have pointed the subdomain. Follow their instructions — verification usually takes a few minutes once the DNS record is in place.

Setting up email for a subdomain

If you want email addresses at your subdomain (like contact@shop.example.com), you need to add an MX record that points to your email provider. This is separate from the A or CNAME record that makes the subdomain's website work.

In your DNS records, add a new MX record. In the Value field, enter the mail server address your email provider gave you — this might look like mail.example.com or a numbered address like mail1.google.com. The Priority field tells the internet which mail server to try first if you have multiple; use the number your provider specified, usually 10 or 20.

If you are using GoDaddy's own email service, you may not need to add anything — GoDaddy sometimes sets up MX records automatically. Check your email provider's documentation or contact their support to confirm what records you need.

Troubleshooting subdomains that do not work

If your subdomain does not load after an hour, first check that you typed the record correctly. Go back to your DNS records and verify that the Name field shows only your subdomain prefix and the Value field shows the correct IP address or CNAME target. A single typo will break it.

Clear your browser's cache or try the subdomain in a different browser or on your phone. Sometimes your computer holds onto old DNS information. You can also use a command-line tool like nslookup or dig to see what the internet thinks your subdomain points to — if it shows the wrong address, your DNS record is incorrect.

If the record looks right but still does not work, check with your hosting provider or the third-party service. Confirm that the IP address or CNAME target they gave you is correct and that they have set up their end to receive traffic from your subdomain. Some services require you to add your domain to their system before the subdomain will work.

Managing multiple subdomains

You can create as many subdomains as you need under one domain. Each one gets its own record in your DNS list. If you plan to run several subdomains, keep a document with the name of each subdomain, what it points to, and when you created it — this makes it much easier to troubleshoot or update them later.

If you no longer need a subdomain, go back to your DNS records and delete its A or CNAME record. The subdomain will stop working within a few hours. You do not need to do anything else — the domain itself stays active and you can reuse the subdomain name for something else whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a subdomain without hosting anything on it?

Yes. You can point a subdomain to any IP address or service, including one that is not active yet. Once the DNS record is in place, you can update it later to point somewhere else without deleting and recreating it.

Do I have to pay extra to add a subdomain?

No. GoDaddy includes unlimited subdomains with any domain registration. You only pay for the main domain itself.

How long does it take for a subdomain to start working?

DNS changes usually take 15 minutes to an hour, though it can occasionally take up to 24 hours for all servers on the internet to see the change. If it has been more than an hour, check that your record is spelled correctly.

Can I point a subdomain to a different registrar's nameservers?

Yes. If you want to use a different company to manage your subdomain's DNS, you can change your domain's nameservers in GoDaddy to point to that company instead. This affects your entire domain, not just one subdomain.

What is the difference between a subdomain and a subfolder?

A subdomain (blog.example.com) is a separate DNS record that can point anywhere. A subfolder (example.com/blog) is a folder on the same server as your main site. Subdomains are better for running completely separate services; subfolders are better for organizing content on the same site.