Up to this point we have gone through how to choose your blogging platform and how to install your domain. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to install wordpress I wanted to share with you some other fun things you can do with your domain.
These tips are perfect if you already have a domain (existing website) and want to keep your main web address.
There are three main ways to extend the life of your domain:
- Subdomain example ????.thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca
- Create a subdirectory example www.thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca/????
- Redirect. A redirect will allow an additional domain name to direct to your existing website.
Warning: Adding a subdomain and/or subdirectory will create separate and unique websites off of your existing domain.
Subdomain Installation
Step 1
Log into cpanel. To access cpanel – yourwebaddress.com/cpanel
Step 2
Under ‘Domains’ click on ‘Subdomains’
Step 3
If you have more than one domain choose the domain you would like to create a subdomain for. Enter the name you would like your subdomain to be. For example: ‘family’.
Step 4
You will receive a confirmation if your subdomain has been created successfully.
Subdirectory Installation
Step 1
Log into cpanel. To access cpanel – yourwebaddress.com/cpanel
Step 2
Under ‘Files’ click on ‘File Manager’.
Step 3
Select ‘Document Root For’ and the domain you would like to modify.
Step 4
A new window for the File Manager will open. At the top right of the page click on ‘New File’.
Step 5
Create your new file name. If you are adding a blog to your website use the word blog. Whichever word you choose will be your subdirectory domain name. For example www.thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca/blog.
Redirect
Redirecting a domain name will not add a new separate web space as the above did. A redirect is perfect if you want to have an easier to remember domain name without making any changes to your website. It also allows you to direct other searched terms to your website. For example if your website is funwithcolour.net you may also want to have funwithcolor.net direct to your website.
To better understand what I mean open a new window and type www.totsbusiness.com in the address bar. Once our webpage loads you will see the address thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca. We have set up totsbusiness.com to redirect to thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca.
Step 1
Complete the steps as outlined in the Installing a Domain post.
Step 2
Log into cpanel. To access cpanel – yourwebaddress.com/cpanel
Step 3
Under the ‘Domain’ section click on ‘Redirects’.
Step 4
Choose the existing domain you want to create a redirect for. Besides ‘redirects to’ write in the new domain you would like to redirect to the original one.
Note: Make sure you click on ‘Redirect with or without www.’ This will ensure people will get to your website whether or not they type www. in the address bar.
Click ‘Add’ and you are done!
You have now created new website space from an existing domain. In the next episode I will show you how to install wordpress on your new domain.
Want To Blog? Series
Episode 1 – Worpress Vs. Blogger
Episode 2 – Installing a Domain
Episode 3 – Having Fun With Domains
Great step by step instructions…. Thank you for sharing….
These are great instructions! Im pinning this for later use!