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:
may create a subdomain such as:
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 root domain. For example:
Root domain:
example.comSubdomain:
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.
Use Case 1: Set Up a Second Brilliant Directories Site 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.
Use Case 2: Point a Subdomain to an External Service
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.
Use Case 1: Set Up a Second Brilliant Directories Site on a Subdomain
Choose one of the following two options.
Scenario A: Domain is using Brilliant Directories Nameservers
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 a CNAME Record must be added to point the subdomain to the target URL of the second BD site.
Instructions:
Navigate to:
Developer Hub > cPanel Dashboard > Zone EditorSelect the domain (e.g.,
example.com) and click Manage.Use a CNAME Record, which can be found inside the Domain Manager:
| Type | Name | Record |
| CNAME | members.example.com | Target URL |
Scenario B: Domain is managed outside of Brilliant Directories
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:
Instructions:
Access the DNS management section of the domain registrar.
Create a new CNAME Record to define the subdomain.
| Type | Host | Value |
| CNAME | media.example.com | Target URL |
Point the CNAME Record to the target URL, which can be found inside the Domain Manager:
Use Case 2: Point a Subdomain to an External Service
Choose one of the following two options:
Scenario A: Domain is using Brilliant Directories Nameservers
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:
Steps for Creating DNS Records via cPanel:
Navigate to:
Developer Hub > cPanel Dashboard > Zone Editor
Select the appropriate domain and click Manage.
Create a new record, use:
CNAME Record – to point to another domain
| Type | Name | Record |
| CNAME | media.example.com | external.examplehost.com |
Scenario B: Domain is managed externally
Instructions:
Access the DNS management section of the domain registrar.
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.
