When you add a new section to your site, such as a blog, shop or help centre, you can put it on a subdomain (blog.example.com) or in a subdirectory (example.com/blog). Both work; the choice affects setup, maintenance and SEO.
In short
- A subdirectory is just a folder of the main site.
- A subdomain is a separate hostname with its own DNS record and can run on a different server or platform.
- For content that should strengthen the main site, a subdirectory is usually the simpler choice.
Comparison
| Subdirectory | Subdomain | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | example.com/shop | shop.example.com |
| Setup | Create a folder or install an app in it. | Create a subdomain and DNS record; see create a subdomain in cPanel. |
| Hosting | Same server as the main site. | Can point anywhere (SaaS, another server). |
| SEO | Shares the main site's authority directly. | Often treated more like a separate site; authority builds separately. |
| SSL | Covered by the main certificate. | Needs its own name on a certificate (AutoSSL adds it automatically on MdmHost). |
| Cookies and logins | Shared with the main site. | Isolated unless configured otherwise. |
When to use which
- Blog, guides, product pages: subdirectory.
- Separate app or platform (help desk SaaS, client portal, staging site): subdomain.
- Languages or countries: subdirectories like
/de/are simplest; ccTLDs give the strongest local signal.
Common questions
Can I switch later? Yes, but moving content between a subdomain and a subdirectory changes every URL. Plan 301 redirects from each old address to the new one so visitors and search rankings follow.
Do subdomains cost extra? No. Subdomains of a domain you own are free to create in cPanel; they only use your plan resources.