Domains and subdomains allow people to find your website online. At first glance, both of them look the same, but they are used to serve different purposes. The domain names allow you to create the main and subdomains of your website. To clarify their purpose and differentiate their usage, we will discuss when both of them are used and which one is best for you.
What is a Domain?
Each web page has its main domain name, through which visitors can access the contents over the internet. Web servers use IP addresses to provide access to the right website when called upon. But IP addresses consist of very long numbers that are not so easy to remember.
There’s no need to know each of the IP addresses, as the Domain Name System (DNS) allows giving each domain a name. Selecting a well-chosen domain helps your brand to be remembered, followed by credibility and reliability.
What is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a section of your site that displays a certain page. Subdomains can also be used to systemise content, implement different projects or to reach a special audience or a particular region. As an example, a firm may use support.example.com to handle customer support. The ease of use gives companies the ability to create a new website without purchasing a new domain.
Key Differences Between Domains and Subdomains
Before you choose between domain vs. subdomain, it is important to understand how both of them differ in functions and impact. The table below highlights the major differences to help you compare them side-by-side:
| Aspect | Domain | Subdomain |
| Ownership & Identity | It acts as the primary brand’s identity. | It functions as an extension or category of the website. |
| SEO Impact | Builds authority about the website and brand. | It may or may not share authority with the main domain. |
| Usability & Structure | Clean and brand-focused presence. | Useful for organising projects like blogs, support, or stores. |
When to Use Domains and Subdomains?
Domains are used to create fresh websites, which define your brand and the base of your online presence. They provide a quick way to establish credibility and trust with your visitors. You can also use keywords with your domain to gain visibility in the search results and gain more traffic to your web pages.
On the other hand, subdomains are used to create a specific webpage within your website. It helps to reduce the cost of purchasing a separate domain for your website. You can create a subdomain to list down all your blogs, services, about section, customer support, etc.
How Do Domains and Subdomains Work in DNS?
The DNS can be compared with the phonebook of the internet, as it translates human-readable names into IP addresses that are used by computers in order to connect. The DNS interprets an entered domain to direct it to the right servers. In the meantime, the subdomain operates identically to that of the domain, but with an added prefix to present a different section of the website.
Every domain is handled uniquely in DNS records, though all these domains are addressed through a common root domain. This structure gives you the opportunity to have multiple projects under one domain and yet keep them organised.
Conclusion
Domain names play an essential role in running a website. The domain is the main branch of the website, which shows the brand’s identity on the internet. Meanwhile, a subdomain is connected to your main domain, and it can act as an independent website. Subdomains are used to organise multiple pages of your website and to separate customer support, about section, blogs, etc. Depending on your needs, you can choose between domain and subdomain.