How To Connect A Subdomain

Link: https://support.brilliantdirectories.com/support/solutions/articles/5000682662

In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, a subdomain is a domain that forms part of a larger primary domain. For example, a business with a main domain of:

example.com

may create a subdomain such as:

shop.example.com

Subdomains are commonly used to organize content, host independent sites, or connect with external services such as blogs, media hubs, or online stores.

In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, a subdomain is a subdivision of a primary domain. For example:

• Primary domain: example.com

• Subdomain: members.example.com

Subdomains are commonly used to organize content, host additional sites, or connect with third-party services.

Subdomain Setup Scenarios

Two common subdomain use cases exist within the Brilliant Directories ecosystem:

Scenario 1: Hosting a second Brilliant Directories website on a subdomain

The subdomain (e.g., members.example.com) will serve as the primary domain of a separate Brilliant Directories website. This setup is often used when a business operates multiple directories under the same brand or domain.

Scenario 2: Connecting a subdomain to an external service while the primary domain is hosted on Brilliant Directories

In this scenario, the subdomain (e.g., media.example.com) must be pointed to an external blog, media room, or other third-party service. The DNS record is managed within the existing domain settings in Brilliant Directories, but the subdomain’s content is hosted externally.

1. Hosting a Second Brilliant Directories Website on a Subdomain

Choose one of the following two options:

1.A – Domain is Hosted on Brilliant Directories (Nameservers Point to BD)

This setup is common when one Brilliant Directories (BD) website is already live on the main domain (e.g., example.com), and a second, separate BD website is to be launched on a subdomain (e.g., members.example.com).

Since both domains are managed in BD, the subdomain must be created via the cPanel Zone Editor, and an A Record must be added to point the subdomain to the IP address of the second BD site.

Instructions:

1. Navigate to:
   Developer Hub > cPanel Dashboard > Zone Editor

2. Select the domain (e.g., example.com) and click Manage.

3. Use an A Record when the IP address of the destination is known.

   This IP Address can be found inside the Domain Manager:

1.B – Domain DNS is Managed Externally (Nameservers Do Not Point to BD)

When domain DNS is managed externally (e.g., via GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains), the subdomain must be created within the registrar’s dashboard.

Helpful links:

• Namecheap – How to create a subdomain

• GoDaddy – Add a subdomain

• Google Domains – Features

Instructions:

1. Access the DNS management section of the domain registrar.

2. Create a new A Record to define the subdomain.

• Use an A Record when the IP address of the destination is known.

  This IP Address can be found inside the Domain Manager:

  
  

2. Connecting a Subdomain to an External Service

Choose one of the following two options:

2.A – Domain is Hosted on Brilliant Directories

In cases where the domain is managed within the Brilliant Directories system, subdomain setup must be done through the cPanel Zone Editor.

Note: Subdomains are not hosted within BD. The DNS record is created in the BD account, but the content or destination of the subdomain must be hosted externally.

Helpful links:

• Namecheap – How to create a subdomain

• GoDaddy – Add a subdomain

• Google Domains – Features

Steps for Creating DNS Records via cPanel:

1. Navigate to:
   Developer Hub > cPanel Dashboard > Zone Editor
   
   
   
   

2. Select the appropriate domain and click Manage.

3. Create a new record, using either:

   • A Record – to point the subdomain to a specific IP address

   • CNAME Record – to point to another domain

Example – A Record

Type	Name	Record
A	media.example.com	123.45.67.89

Example – CNAME Record

Type	Name	Record
CNAME	media.example.com	externa.examplehost.com

2.B – Domain DNS is Managed Externally

When domain DNS is managed externally (e.g., via GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains), the subdomain must be created within the registrar’s dashboard.

Instructions:

1. Access the DNS management section of the domain registrar.

2. Create a new A Record or CNAME Record to define the subdomain.

Type	Host	Value
A	media	IP address of target site

• Use an A Record when the IP address of the destination is known.

• Use a CNAME Record when pointing to another domain name (e.g., externalplatform.com).

DNS Propagation Time

Once the DNS changes have been applied, allow up to 72 hours for the records to propagate globally.