How to install WordPress on a subdomain

A subdomain is a component of a domain that is subordinate to the domain name, it is also called a second-level domain. Consequently, a subdomain can also be referred to as a third-level domain. It precedes the domain name and is separated by a period. The following graphic shows the subdomain’s placement in the example.org URL.

The exact procedure for creating and installing a subdomain on WordPress and others depends on which provider you host your project with. Many providers allow such configurations via the web-based tool cPanel. IONOS customers can create any subdomains as follows:

1. Log into the cloud panel via the Login page.
2. Click on the “Domains & SSL” heading.
3. Choose the domain you want to create a subdomain for.
4. Open the “Subdomains” tab.
5. Press the “Create Subdomain” button.
6. Choose the desired name for the subdomain and click “Save”.

Firstly, you download your chosen version of WordPress. Go to the official WordPress download page and click on the “Download WordPress x.x.x” button to get the latest version. You will find older versions under the “Releases” page.

If you have not already done so, create the desired subdomain as described above. However, once you have created a subaddress, you still need to create a new DNS entry for it. You can do this in the IONOS Cloud Panel using the following steps:

1. Log in using the IONOS Login page.
2. Click on the “Domains & SSL” button.
3. Choose the domain for which you have created a subdomain on WordPress.
4. Click on the “DNS” tab.
5. Click on “Add a DNS record” and choose type “A”.
6. Add the relevant information. Type in the address of your new subdomain under “Host Name”.
7. Then save your work.

You need a new database to install WordPress on a subdomain. IONOS users can also easily create these in the Cloud Panel. After logging into the customer area, take the following steps:

1. Switch to the “WP Business” section.
2. Click the “Manage” button in the “Databases” entry.
3. Click on “Create database”.
4. Choose your desired database type (Standard: MySQL).
5. Insert a description and password.
6. Click “Save”.

Look for the ./public.html/subdomain directory and upload the unzipped WordPress program files to this folder.

If you can’t find the directory, it is possible that the subdomain isn’t connected to the online storage. If so, take the following steps on IONOS Cloud Panel:

1. Go to the “Domains & SSL” section.
2. Choose the domain your subdomain runs under.
3. Click the “Subdomains” tab and then click on the “use domain” button.
4. Choose the “Connect to webspace” option and confirm this change by clicking “Save”.

You will find a file named wp-config-sample.php in your uploaded files. Rename the file wp-config.php and open it in any text editor. Finally, add the data from the third step into the corresponding spots:

• DB_NAME: Database name
• DB_USER: Username
• DB_PASSWORD: Password
• DB_HOST: Hostname

IONOS enables you to install WordPress on your subdomain with 1 click using the following steps:

1. Log into cloud panel through the login page.
2. Go to the “Domains & SSL” section and choose the domain your subdomain runs under.
3. Click the “subdomains” tab and then click on the “use domain” button.
4. Choose the “create website” option
5. Click on “flexible & complete” and choose WordPress.
6. Give the installation a title and click on “Create website”.
7. Create a user and then choose “Continue with WordPress”.
8. In the last step, assign the subdomain once again and WordPress will be installed and set up automatically.