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 root domain. For example:

• Root 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.

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.

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

Scenario A: Domain Uses Brilliant Directories Name Servers (Recommended)

If the main domain (e.g., example.com) is already pointed to Brilliant Directories name servers, subdomains are automatically handled within the BD platform.  There's no need to manually create the subdomain in cPanel or DNS.

Steps:

1. Log in to the Admin area of the BD site that should use the subdomain (e.g., Site 2).

2. Go to Settings > Domain Manager.

3. Select Connect My Own Domain > CNAME Method

4. Enter the desired subdomain (e.g., members.example.com) and save.

5. The subdomain will be automatically recognized and routed correctly.

Notes:

• Do not manually create the subdomain in cPanel or your registrar dashboard, this is not needed since the main domain already points to our servers.

• If the subdomain was previously added manually, delete that DNS record to avoid conflicts.

• Once the domain is saved, allow some time for propagation. Then install the SSL certificate from Settings > Domain Manager > SSL.

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:

• 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 CNAME Record to define the subdomain.

• 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:

• 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, use:

   • CNAME Record – to point to another domain

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

Scenario B: Domain is managed externally

When the 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.