The Difference Between Subdomains, Addon Domains, and Aliases Print

  • Domain, Subdomain, Addon Domain, Alias (Parked) Domain
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When hosting with LyteHosting, you can manage multiple types of domains under a single account. Whether you want to organize content, host a brand-new website, or redirect additional domains to your main site, cPanel gives you flexible options. The three most common are subdomains, addon domains, and alias (parked) domains. Understanding how they work will help you choose the right setup for your needs.

What is a Subdomain?

A subdomain is an extension of your main domain that acts like a separate section of your website. It does not require registering a new domain name since it uses your existing domain. Subdomains are often used to organize content or create different areas of a site.

Example:

  • blog.domain.com - for a blog section
  • store.domain.com - for an online shop
  • support.domain.com - for a help desk

Subdomains are ideal for businesses that want to separate services or content while keeping everything under one main domain.

What is an Addon Domain?

An addon domain allows you to host a completely different website from your primary domain, using a domain name you’ve already registered. This means you can manage multiple websites from one LyteHosting account without needing to purchase another hosting plan.

Example:

  • Primary Domain - domain.com
  • Addon Domain - otherdomain.com (with its own website and content)

Addon domains are perfect if you own multiple businesses, blogs, or brand websites and want to manage them all in one place.

What is an Alias (Parked) Domain?

An alias domain (also called a parked domain) is not a separate website. Instead, it points directly to your primary domain, showing the same content. This is often used to protect your brand and capture visitors who may type your domain name incorrectly.

Example:

  • Primary domain - domain.com
  • Alias domains - mydomain.com, domain.net, domian.com (common misspelling)

Aliases are useful if you have multiple versions of your domain name or want to ensure visitors always land on your main site.

Comparing the Three Options

Here’s how to decide which one suits your needs:

  • Use a subdomain when you want a dedicated section of your site, like a blog, store, or support page, without registering a new domain.
  • Use an addon domain when you want to host a completely separate website with its own unique content, but still manage it from the same LyteHosting account.
  • Use an alias domain when you want multiple domain names to point to the same website, ensuring visitors always reach your primary domain no matter what they type.

Managing domains effectively ensures your visitors find you easily and that your websites stay organized. With LyteHosting’s cPanel tools, you can set up subdomains, addon domains, or aliases in just a few clicks.

If you need help managing domains or setting them up, kindly reach out to our 24/7 support team.


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