How to Use a Subdomain for Your Zibster Website
Overview
You can use a subdomain, such as services.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com, or members.yourdomain.com, as the web address for a Zibster website.
This setup is useful when your main domain points to a website hosted somewhere else and you want to use Zibster for another part of your business. You can also use subdomains if you have multiple Zibster websites and want each site to have its own branded web address.
You only need to point the specific subdomain you want to use to Zibster. Your main domain, other subdomains, email, and other DNS services can remain unchanged.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have access to the DNS settings for your domain.
You should also decide which subdomain you want to use. Common examples include:
-
services.yourdomain.com -
events.yourdomain.com -
members.yourdomain.com -
shop.yourdomain.com -
store.yourdomain.com
If another web designer, agency, domain provider, or IT professional manages your DNS, confirm the subdomain with them before making changes.
STEP ONE
Decide which subdomain you want to use for your Zibster website.
For example, if your main domain is:
yourdomain.com
you could use:
services.yourdomain.com
for a separate Zibster website.
You can also use different subdomains for separate Zibster websites. For example:
services.yourdomain.com
events.yourdomain.com
shop.yourdomain.com
Each subdomain can be connected to a different Zibster website.
STEP TWO
Log in to the provider that manages the DNS records for your domain.
Create an A record for the subdomain you selected.
For example, if you want to use:
services.yourdomain.com
add the following DNS record:
Type: A
Host: services
Value: 18.235.135.157
TTL: Lowest available
Your DNS provider may display the Host field differently. Some providers require only the subdomain portion, such as services, while others may display or request the complete hostname.
Only add or update the record for the subdomain you are connecting to Zibster.
Do not change your root @ record, www record, nameservers, email records, or other DNS settings unless those changes are part of a separate domain or website migration.
FINAL STEP
After you save the DNS record, contact Zibster Support and provide the exact subdomain you want connected to your Zibster website.
For example:
services.yourdomain.com
Our Domain Team will confirm that the DNS record is pointing correctly, connect the subdomain to your Zibster website, and generate the SSL certificate for the new web address.
Once the setup is complete and the DNS change has finished updating, your Zibster website will load securely at the subdomain you selected.
Your main domain and any other subdomains can continue pointing to their existing websites or services.
What Your Visitors See
Each subdomain can point to a different website or service.
For example:
yourdomain.com → your main website
services.yourdomain.com → your Zibster services website
events.yourdomain.com → another Zibster website
shop.yourdomain.com → another website or store
These addresses work independently even though they use the same root domain.
If you want visitors to move between the different websites, add links to the appropriate site navigation, buttons, or page content.
Important DNS Notes
A subdomain setup does not require you to move your entire domain to Zibster.
Your domain registration and DNS can remain with your current provider while the selected subdomain points to Zibster.
You also do not need to change your domain's nameservers just to connect a subdomain.
Changing unrelated DNS records can affect your main website, branded email, or other services connected to your domain, so only update the specific subdomain record needed for this setup.
If you are unsure where your DNS is managed, see How to Check Where Your DNS Is Managed.
Helpful Notes
SSL is included. You do not need to purchase or install a separate SSL certificate for the subdomain. After the site is connected and the required DNS record is in place, Zibster will generate the SSL certificate for your Zibster website.
Multiple Zibster websites can use different subdomains. For example, services.yourdomain.com can point to one Zibster website while events.yourdomain.com points to another. Each subdomain must be configured separately.
Your email service is separate. Adding an A record for a subdomain does not require changing your existing MX or other email-related DNS records.
Another provider can make the DNS change for you. If your DNS is managed by a web developer, IT professional, or another provider, you can send them the A record information from this guide and ask them to add the subdomain.
Keep each website's content distinct. If you use multiple websites on different subdomains, give each site useful, relevant content for its specific purpose rather than duplicating the same pages across multiple subdomains. This provides a clearer experience for visitors and helps search engines understand the purpose of each website.
Need Help?
Support Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Support Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
