How to Create Shopify Subdomains With This Simple Process

Creating a subdomain can help point your website’s users in the right direction and organize your site into different sections. If you want your Shopify store to impress visitors and capture leads, you will need to use subdomains to your advantage. Even adding one subdomain to your existing site can make it easier for site visitors to find what they are looking for.

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If you need to create a subdomain for Shopify, you will be pleased to know it is a relatively simple process. You can also create multiple Shopify subdomains using the same steps.

What Is a Subdomain?

If you’ve visited most websites, you’ve probably noticed the URL in your search bar changes a bit based on the site location or webpage you are viewing. For example, when you visit the website hubspot.com, you can view and access all the tools and services offered by the website.

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On the other hand, if you visit blog.hubspot.com, you will be taken to a blog. Although you are still on the HubSpot website, you are on a different section of the website, which is still under HubSpot’s root domain. In short, subdomains function as pieces of additional information added to the beginning of a website’s existing domain name.

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This additional information allows websites to organize and separate content for a certain function – such as an online store or blog – from the rest of the website.

Subdomain Examples

Domain names consist of two distinct parts – the top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain (SLD). The top-level domain is the extension, such as .com or .gov. The second-level domain is the identifying part of the domain name, typically a brand name or business.

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In shopify.com for example, .com is the TLD and Shopify is the SLD. The subdomain is the part before the SLD, usually www, an abbreviation for World Wide Web. This subdomain is so frequently used that most domain registrars include it when a person or organization purchases a domain name.

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When the domain name and subdomain name are combined with a protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS at the beginning, you have a full URL.

How to Use Shopify Subdomains

As previously stated, a subdomain is simply an extension of a domain. Subdomains can be extremely useful when it comes to separating content, and with a Shopify subdomain, you can do just that. Subdomains for Shopify can also be utilized in other ways, including:

1. Sell to Specific Countries, States, or Regions

Subdomains can help you cultivate location-specific experiences when you sell products or services internationally. You can use the abbreviation for a country, region, or continent as your subdomain name.

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For example, if you want to sell products to customers in the United States, you might use the web address us.website.com for American customers. By utilizing different subdomains for different locations, you can appear more legitimate and relevant, giving shoppers in that area a concrete reason to trust your brand.

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It is possible to use multiple subdomains if you sell products or services in multiple locations.

2. Offer Products or Services in Multiple Languages

You can use subdomains to reach customers who speak different languages. For example, the French version of your website can be denoted as fr.website.com, while the Spanish version can be es.website.com.

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Depending on where you want to sell, accommodating different languages using subdomains can be a wise idea, especially if you are selling in a country or region that has multiple languages.

3. Test Your Website

If you want to create a testing site, you can take advantage of subdomains. Subdomains allow users to test their websites or individual pages before letting them go live. Testing is immensely important because it allows you to uncover and address any problems or bugs before the site reaches the public’s eyes.

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By testing your website, you can launch with confidence knowing it is free of any issues or errors. Testing can also be useful if you are still working on your website or you aren’t ready to invest in it. For example, Shopify allows you to select a free plan that provides a website with myshopify.com at the end as the domain name. The name of your brand or Shopify store will be the subdomain.

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When you are ready, you can upgrade to a paid plan with your own domain name and have the power to create new subdomains later if you choose.

4. Create a Seamless Mobile Experience

Subdomains can improve the mobile version of your website. If you have ever shopped online using your smartphone, you have probably noticed the letter “m” at the beginning of some sites’ URLs. This “m” signifies that a site uses a mobile subdomain for individuals on smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

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It is extremely important to tailor mobile eCommerce experiences to individuals using mobile devices, not those using desktop browsers. When many customers consider shopping at an online store, they will expect a high degree of mobile responsiveness.

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Unfortunately, users who shop using mobile devices have a much higher cart abandonment rate than those who shop using desktop browsers.

5. Launch eCommerce

Not all eCommerce websites start as eCommerce websites. Some sites are originally built for different reasons. For example, if your website started as a blog, there may come a time when you choose to monetize it through eCommerce. Some site owners eventually launch affiliate sites with eCommerce arms.

Many websites migrate to another software platform created specifically for eCommerce, but others do not. Those that don’t often create a dedicated subdomain to act as an eCommerce platform.

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Often, websites will simply use the words “buy” or “shop” as their subdomain. Using subdomains in this manner can be especially helpful if people often visit your site to do something besides shop.

6. Install a Client Portal

Many businesses now utilize websites that feature client portals. A client portal allows customers to sign onto a website and check their order status or view previous orders, loyalty program status, or current promotions. Having a client portal can save you a considerable amount of time and energy, primarily because customers won’t have to contact you directly to find out the status of their orders – they can simply log into their portal and view their orders when they need to.

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Using a subdomain dedicated to exchanges and returns can also be a great idea. It should be limited in functionality if you choose to dedicate a subdomain solely to exchanges and returns. In other words, it should only have one specific purpose.

7. Create a Blog

Blogging is a great way to build relationships with your customers, provide relevant information, and establish yourself as an authority on a specific topic. Blogging is all the rage now and even the smallest stores have begun blogging to lure in customers with important information.

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Using a subdomain, you can separate your blog from the rest of your website. Simply use the word “blog” as your subdomain to direct site visitors.

8. Target Different Audiences

Did you know that you can use subdomains to target different audiences? By creating subdomains dedicated to specific customer demographics, you can increase your rank for specific keywords and generate interest among certain customer segments.

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For example, if you have a site that sells to wholesale customers, as well as regular customers, your site address may be wholesale.store.com while your overall site address is store.com.

How to Install Shopify in Cpanel

The steps you need to take to create a subdomain will primarily depend on your web host. Creating a subdomain typically requires you to make some slight alterations within the settings of your domain registrar or hosting provider. When creating a subdomain, you may encounter terms such as Cpanel and record.

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If you are using Shopify, take the following steps to create a subdomain quickly and easily:

Go to Settings > Domains from your Shopify admin.
Click “Manage” for the domain you want to alter.
In the Subdomains section, choose “Add Subdomain.”
Enter the prefix of your choosing.
Choose “Add Subdomain.”

Once you add a subdomain, Shopify’s default CNAME will be instantly added to your DNS settings. If you need to create multiple subdomains, just repeat the previously mentioned steps.

Creating a Unique Subdomain for Shopify eCommerce Sites

Creating a subdomain for your Shopify store can be instrumental in your eCommerce website’s overall success. Here at elk marketing, we understand the importance of having an exceptional website, and that is why we offer premium SEO and content development services.

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‍Contact us today to find out how we can help you take your website to the next level.