How to Set Up Subdomains in StackCP: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

What You’ll Need Before Starting

• A StackCP hosting account
• At least one domain already added to your hosting package
• The domain’s DNS managed through StackCP (most users have this by default)

Step 1: Log In to StackCP

1. Go to your StackCP login page.
2. Enter your username and password.

Step 2: Navigate to the Subdomains Section

1. In the left sidebar (or main dashboard), click Manage Hosting.
2. Click Manage next to your hosting package.
3. Look for and click the Subdomains icon (it’s often grouped under Domains or in the main tools area).

Step 3: Create the Subdomain

1. In the Subdomain field, type the prefix you want (e.g., blog, shop, app).
2. Select the parent domain from the dropdown if it’s not already selected.
3. (Optional but recommended) Set the Document Root.
   • This is the folder where the subdomain’s files will live.
   • Example: Type public_html/blog to keep files in a blog folder inside your main public_html directory.
   • You can leave it blank for the default location.
4. Click Create Subdomain.

That’s it! StackCP will automatically:

• Create the subdomain
• Add the necessary DNS records
• Create the folder (if specified)

Note: Changes to the Document Root can take up to 15 minutes to fully apply.

After creation:

1. Go back to Manage Hosting → Manage.
2. Click the File Manager icon (under Web Files).
3. Navigate to the folder you set as the Document Root (e.g., public_html/blog).
4. Upload your website files here (HTML, WordPress files, images, etc.).

You can also connect via FTP using the credentials shown in your StackCP dashboard.

Step 5: Test Your Subdomain

1. Wait a few minutes for everything to propagate.
2. Visit your-subdomain.yourdomain.com in your browser.
3. You should see your uploaded content.

If it doesn’t load immediately, clear your browser cache or check DNS propagation using a tool like whatsmydns.net.

From the same Subdomains section you can:

• View all your subdomains
• Edit the Document Root
• Delete a subdomain (this removes the DNS record but keeps the files — delete files manually if needed)

Advanced: Wildcard Subdomains (*.yourdomain.com)

This usually requires:

1. Adding a wildcard DNS record (* A record pointing to your server IP) in Manage Domains → Manage DNS.
2. Proper server configuration (often handled automatically in StackCP, but check with your host if needed).

For most users, creating individual subdomains is simpler and more reliable.

Common Troubleshooting

Pro Tips

• Use clear, descriptive names (blog, store, docs, staging).
• Keep subdomains organized in separate folders for easier management and backups.
• Subdomains are great for staging sites, client portals, or separating different projects.
• Always back up before making changes (StackCP has easy backup tools).

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