How to Use Wildcard Subdomains

What is a wildcard subdomain?

A domain is your website address, like example.com. A subdomain is a name added in front, like blog.example.com. A wildcard uses a star (*) to mean "anything". So *.example.com catches blog.example.com, shop.example.com and any other name, even ones you never made.

Why use it?

• Give every user of your app their own address, like anna.example.com.
• Catch typing mistakes and send them to your main site.
• Run many small sites from one set of files.

Steps in cPanel

cPanel is a popular control panel. Your plan may use a different one. Ask Hostvento support if you cannot find these menus.

1. Log in to your hosting control panel.
2. Open Domains or Subdomains.
3. In the subdomain name box, type *.
4. Choose your domain from the list.
5. Check the Document Root. This is the folder the visitors will see. Change it if needed.
6. Click Create.

Check your DNS

DNS is the internet's phone book. It must also know about the star name.

1. Open Zone Editor in your control panel, or the DNS page where your domain's DNS is managed.
2. Add a new A record. An A record points a name to an IP address.
3. Set the name to *.
4. Set the address to your server's IP address. You can find it in your welcome email or ask support.
5. Save the record.

DNS changes can take some time to spread.

Things to know

• A normal subdomain you made yourself wins over the wildcard.
• Your website must have code to read the name if each subdomain should show different content.
• Normal SSL certificates cover only the exact names. A wildcard certificate covers *.example.com. Ask support if it is available.

Quick recap

• A wildcard subdomain uses * to match any name before your domain.
• Create a subdomain named * in your control panel.
• Add an A record with the name * in DNS.
• Wait for DNS to spread, then test a random name.