Are you looking to expand your Shopify store’s online presence? Adding a subdomain might just be the answer! Subdomains can help you create separate sections of your website for different purposes, such as a blog or an additional storefront.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of subdomains and show you how to add one to your Shopify store. Plus, we’ll outline some pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not adding a subdomain is right for your business. Let’s get started!
Subdomain Basics: What is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is essentially a subsection of your main domain name. It allows you to create separate web pages with unique content that can be distinguished from other pages on your website. For example, if you have a Shopify store called “MyStore.com,” you could create a subdomain for your blog such as “Blog.MyStore.com.”
Subdomains are commonly used to organize different types of content or sections of a website. They can also help improve SEO by providing targeted keywords and phrases in the domain name.
Additionally, adding a subdomain doesn’t require purchasing a new domain name. You simply add the subdomain before your existing domain (e.g., blog.mystore.com) and configure it accordingly.
It’s important to note that while subdomains may offer many benefits, they also come with some drawbacks. One potential issue is that they can dilute the overall authority of your main domain if not properly managed.
Understanding what a subdomain is and how it works can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to add one to your Shopify store.
Why Would You Add a Subdomain to Your Shopify Store?
There are several reasons why you might want to add a subdomain to your Shopify store. One of the most common is if you have a blog or other content on your site that you want to separate from your main store.
By creating a subdomain, such as blog.yourstore.com, you can keep your content organized and distinct from the products and services you offer in your online store. This can help customers easily find the information they need without having to navigate through multiple pages on your website.
Another reason to use a subdomain is for marketing or branding purposes. If you have different product lines or offerings within your business, creating unique subdomains for each one can help establish brand identity and make it easier for customers to remember and access those specific pages.
Additionally, using a subdomain can also improve SEO by helping search engines better understand the structure of your website and how its various parts relate to each other. Adding a subdomain can be an effective way to enhance organization, branding, and SEO for any ecommerce business operating on Shopify.
How to Add a Subdomain to Your Shopify Store
Adding a subdomain to your Shopify store is easy and can be done in just a few steps. First, you’ll need to log in to your Shopify account and navigate to the “Online Store” section of your dashboard.
Under the “Domains” tab, click on “Manage domains.” Here you will see any existing domains connected to your store as well as options for adding new ones.
To add a subdomain, click on the “Add domain” button and select “Subdomain.” Enter the name of your desired subdomain (e.g., blog.yourstorename.com) and click “Next.”
You will then be prompted to set up DNS records with your domain provider. This step may vary depending on which provider you use, but typically involves creating a CNAME record that points to your Shopify store’s URL.
Once you have set up the DNS records, return to Shopify and confirm that everything is working correctly by clicking on the newly added subdomain under the “Domains” tab.
That’s it! Your new subdomain should now be live and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Pros and Cons of Adding a Subdomain to Your Shopify Store
Adding a subdomain to your Shopify store has both its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.
Pros:
1. Enhanced Branding: With a subdomain, you can create a unique URL that is specific to your brand, which helps in building brand awareness.
2. Improved SEO: A subdomain can help in improving the search engine ranking of your website by targeting specific keywords.
3. Separate Content Management: You can use different content management systems for your main domain and subdomains, making it easier to manage large amounts of content.
4. Targeted Audience: By using targeted messaging on each subdomain, you can create personalized experiences for different segments of your audience.
Cons:
1. Increased Cost: Adding a subdomain could increase the cost of maintaining your website as it requires more resources and maintenance.
2. Complicated Analytics Tracking: Managing analytics tracking across multiple domains could be complicated, leading to inaccurate data.
3. Duplicate Content Issues: If not managed properly, adding a subdomain could result in duplicate content issues that may negatively affect SEO efforts.
While adding a subdomain offers benefits such as improved branding and SEO capabilities, it also comes with added costs and complexities that must be considered before making any changes to an existing Shopify store.
Conclusion
In summary, adding a subdomain to your Shopify store can be a great way to expand your online presence and showcase different aspects of your brand. While it does require some technical knowledge, the process is relatively straightforward with the right guidance.
Before deciding whether or not to add a subdomain to your Shopify store, it’s important to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, it will depend on your specific business needs and goals.
If you do decide to proceed with adding a subdomain, make sure you follow all the necessary steps carefully and test everything thoroughly before making it live. With proper planning and execution, you can successfully incorporate a subdomain into your Shopify store strategy for greater success in today’s competitive ecommerce landscape.
