A subdomain refers to the characters on the left side of a web address. The middle part is called the root domain, and the characters at the end are known as the top-level domain (TLD). Here’s a breakdown of these components using Divsly as an example.
Components of a Web Address
Let's take a look at the URL for the Divsly Help Center: help.divsly.com
- Subdomain: help
- Root Domain: divsly
- Top-Level Domain: com
Using a Subdomain as Your Custom Domain
You can effectively use a subdomain as your custom domain. This approach allows you to utilize a version of your website's domain while still maintaining a unique branded presence for your short links. For example, the New York Times uses the subdomain nyti.ms for their short links, providing a clear and concise branding that is easily recognizable.
Here's how you can do the same with Divsly:
- Subdomain Example: If your main website is yourwebsite.com, you can use a subdomain like links.yourwebsite.com for your custom short links. This helps keep your brand consistent while offering a clear distinction between your main site and your link management.
Exception to Note
There is one key exception: While www.yourwebsite.com is technically a subdomain of yourwebsite.com, the general convention is that it should contain similar or the same content as the root domain. Therefore, using www as a subdomain for custom links is not advisable.
Benefits of Using a Subdomain for Custom Links
- Brand Consistency: Maintaining your brand's identity across different platforms.
- Ease of Management: Simplifying the management of your short links within the existing domain structure.
- User Trust: Enhancing user trust by providing recognizable and consistent URLs.
