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Introduction

Creating a subdomain in Plesk is a straightforward process that allows you to add new sections to your website, such as a blog or a shop, without needing to set up a separate domain. This guide is ideal for website administrators, developers, and business owners who want to expand their online presence efficiently. We’ll cover how to set up a subdomain and secure it with an SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following:

• You have access to the Plesk control panel with administrative privileges.
• Your domain is already configured and active in Plesk.
• An SSL certificate is available or you plan to use Let’s Encrypt for securing the subdomain.

Step 1: Log In to Plesk

• Access the Plesk Control Panel
  Log in to your Plesk control panel using your username and password.
• Navigate to Websites & Domains
  From the left-hand menu, click on Websites & Domains to view your domain list.

Step 2: Add the Subdomain

• Click Add Subdomain
  In the Websites & Domains section, click on Add Subdomain.
• Enter Subdomain Details
  • Subdomain Name: Enter the name of the subdomain (e.g., blog if you want to create blog.yourdomain.com).
  • Parent Domain: Select the main domain under which the subdomain will be created.

• Document Root:
  • Optionally, you can specify a custom document root if needed, or leave it as the default (usually subdomain_name.domain.com).

Step 3: Secure the Subdomain (Optional but Recommended)

1. Select Let’s Encrypt
   To secure your subdomain with an SSL certificate, check the box labeled Secure the domain with Let’s Encrypt.
2. Configure SSL Settings
   • Ensure the subdomain and the main domain are selected.
   • You may also opt to include the “www” version of the subdomain if applicable.

Step 4: Finalize the Subdomain Creation

• Click OK
  Click the OK button to create the subdomain. Plesk will process your request and return to the Websites & Domains overview.
• Verify the Subdomain
  Once the process is complete, the subdomain should be listed under the main domain in the Websites & Domains section.

Conclusion

You have successfully created and secured a subdomain in Plesk. This subdomain can now be used to host different sections of your website or even a completely separate website. Remember to configure DNS settings if required and upload any necessary content to the subdomain’s document root.

Note: If you’re using an older version of Plesk, some steps or options may differ. It’s recommended to keep your Plesk instance updated to the latest version for optimal security and features.

Article posted on 24 February 2020 by Louis