Adding a subdomain in GoDaddy takes about five minutes and happens in your domain's DNS settings, not in a separate menu

A subdomain is a prefix you add to your main domain name — for example, blog.yoursite.com or shop.yoursite.com. GoDaddy does not charge extra to create subdomains. You add them by editing your domain's DNS records, specifically by creating an A record or CNAME record that points the subdomain to a web server or service.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are pointing the subdomain to a GoDaddy-hosted service (like GoDaddy Website Builder) or to an external service (like Shopify or a third-party email provider). Both routes start in the same place: your domain's DNS management page.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your GoDaddy account, find your domain, and click the DNS button to reach the DNS records editor.
  • Create a new A record or CNAME record with your chosen subdomain name and the IP address or target domain your subdomain should point to.
  • DNS changes take 24 to 48 hours to spread across the internet, though they often work within minutes.
  • If you are using a GoDaddy service like Website Builder, GoDaddy may create the subdomain automatically when you connect it to your domain.

How to access your domain's DNS settings

Start by signing into your GoDaddy account at godaddy.com. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select Products. Find your domain in the list and click it.

On the domain details page, scroll down to the DNS section and click the Manage DNS button. This opens the DNS records editor, where you will see a list of existing records (usually including an A record, MX records for email, and others). This is where you add your subdomain.

Creating an A record for a subdomain

An A record points your subdomain to a specific IP address. Use this method if you know the IP address of the server where your subdomain's content lives — for example, if you are hosting a website on a third-party server or your own server.

In the DNS records editor, click the Add button. Select A from the record type dropdown. In the Name field, type only the subdomain prefix — for example, type blog (not blog.yoursite.com). In the Value field, enter the IP address of the server. Leave the TTL (time to live) at the default value. Click Save.

Creating a CNAME record for a subdomain

A CNAME record points your subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP address. Use this method when you are connecting your subdomain to a service like Shopify, Mailchimp, or another third-party platform that gives you a target domain to point to.

In the DNS records editor, click Add and select CNAME from the dropdown. In the Name field, type the subdomain prefix only (for example, shop). In the Value field, paste the target domain that the service provided. Click Save.

Do not create a CNAME record for the root domain (the bare domain without any prefix). GoDaddy and most registrars do not allow this because it conflicts with other required records.

Using GoDaddy Website Builder or other GoDaddy services

If you are using GoDaddy Website Builder, GoDaddy often creates the subdomain automatically when you connect your domain to your website. You do not need to manually add DNS records in most cases.

When you set up your website in Website Builder, the system prompts you to choose whether to use your main domain or a subdomain. If you select a subdomain, GoDaddy handles the DNS setup for you. Check your DNS records a few minutes later to confirm the record was created.

For other GoDaddy services like GoDaddy Email or GoDaddy Hosting, the same principle applies — the service usually sets up the necessary DNS records when you connect your domain.

How long DNS changes take to work

After you save a new DNS record, the change does not take effect immediately everywhere. DNS changes propagate across the internet over 24 to 48 hours, though in practice they often work within minutes or a few hours.

During this waiting period, some people may reach your subdomain while others still see an error. If you are testing the subdomain right away, try clearing your browser cache or using a different device. If it still does not work after a few hours, double-check that you entered the IP address or target domain correctly in the DNS record.

Troubleshooting subdomains that do not work

If your subdomain is not working after 24 hours, verify three things. First, check that the Name field contains only the subdomain prefix (like blog), not the full domain. Second, confirm that the Value field has the correct IP address or target domain — typos here are the most common cause of failure. Third, make sure you are using the right record type: A records for IP addresses, CNAME records for domain names.

If you are still stuck, visit GoDaddy's DNS management help page or contact GoDaddy support. They can confirm whether your records are set up correctly and whether the problem is on GoDaddy's side or with the service your subdomain points to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create multiple subdomains pointing to different places?

Yes. You can create as many subdomains as you want, each with its own DNS record pointing to a different IP address or service. For example, you could have blog.yoursite.com pointing to one server and shop.yoursite.com pointing to Shopify, all under the same main domain.

Do I need to buy a separate domain for a subdomain?

No. A subdomain uses your existing domain, so there is no additional purchase. You only need the main domain registration.

What is the difference between a subdomain and a subfolder?

A subdomain is a separate address like blog.yoursite.com, while a subfolder is a path like yoursite.com/blog. Subdomains require DNS records; subfolders are just folders on your web server. Subdomains are useful when you want to host content on a different server or service.

Can I delete a subdomain I created?

Yes. Go back to your DNS records, find the record for that subdomain, and click the delete or trash icon. The subdomain will stop working once DNS propagates, usually within a few hours.

What if GoDaddy is not my registrar but I use GoDaddy hosting?

You will need to add the DNS records at your actual registrar, not in GoDaddy. Contact your registrar's support or log into their DNS management page and follow the same steps — create an A or CNAME record with your subdomain name and the IP address or target domain GoDaddy provides.