Oktoberfest Sale: Use code Savemore50 for 50% off all hosting plans!
Client Area
View Categories

How to Connect a Subdomain to OzSpeed Website Development

7 min read

Connecting a subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com) to your OzSpeed website allows you to create separate sections of your website or host additional content, such as a blog or e-commerce store. You can easily set this up using your domain’s DNS settings and OzSpeed’s hPanel. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you connect a subdomain to OzSpeed.

Step 1: Decide on the Subdomain #

Before starting, decide on the name of the subdomain you want to connect (e.g., blog, shop, store). This subdomain will be used to access a specific section of your website (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com).

Tip: #

  • Choose a subdomain name that clearly indicates its purpose (e.g., blog for a blog, store for an e-commerce site).

Step 2: Log in to hPanel #

  1. Go to ozspeed.com.au and log in to your hPanel Dashboard.
  2. Click on My Websites and select the website where you want to connect the subdomain.

Step 3: Add the Subdomain in hPanel #

  1. In hPanel, go to Domains > Subdomains.
  2. Click “Add Subdomain”.
  3. Enter the name of your subdomain (e.g., blog) in the Subdomain Name field.
  4. Choose the domain you want to attach the subdomain to (e.g., yourdomain.com).
  5. Click “Create” to add the subdomain.

Tip: #

  • After creating the subdomain, a folder for the subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com) will be created in the public_html directory.

Step 4: Point the Subdomain to OzSpeed via DNS #

To make your subdomain accessible, you need to update your DNS records at your domain registrar or DNS provider.

Option 1: Using A Record #

  1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
  2. Go to the DNS Management section.
  3. Click Add New Record and choose A Record as the type.
  4. Enter the following details:
    • Name: Enter the subdomain name (e.g., blog).
    • Value: Enter the IP address of your OzSpeed hosting (found in hPanel under DNS Settings).
    • TTL: Set to Auto or 3600 (default).

Example A Record:

TypeNameValueTTL
Ablog203.0.113.123Auto
  1. Click Save to apply the changes.

Option 2: Using CNAME Record #

If you prefer, you can use a CNAME record to point your subdomain to your OzSpeed website.

  1. Log in to your domain registrar and go to DNS Management.
  2. Click Add New Record and select CNAME as the type.
  3. Enter the following details:
    • Name: Enter the subdomain name (e.g., blog).
    • Target: Enter the URL of your OzSpeed website (e.g., yourwebsite.ozspeed.com).
    • TTL: Set to Auto or 3600.

Example CNAME Record:

TypeNameContentTTL
CNAMEblogyourwebsite.ozspeed.comAuto
  1. Click Save to update the record.

Tip: #

  • It may take up to 24-48 hours for the DNS changes to propagate fully.

Step 5: Verify the Subdomain Connection #

Once the DNS changes have propagated, you can verify the connection.

How to Test: #

  1. Open your browser and visit the subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com).
  2. Check that your subdomain loads the content you’ve set up on your OzSpeed hosting.

Tip: #

  • Use a DNS checker tool like DNSChecker to confirm that the subdomain points to the correct IP address or CNAME target.

Step 6: Enable SSL for the Subdomain #

Ensure your subdomain is secure by enabling SSL/TLS.

How to Enable SSL: #

  1. In hPanel, go to Security > SSL/TLS.
  2. Click Enable SSL for your subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com).
  3. Wait for the SSL certificate to be issued and activated.

Tip: #

  • If your subdomain shows a “Not Secure” warning, clear your browser cache and recheck the SSL settings.

Step 7: Set Up Website Content for the Subdomain #

After connecting the subdomain, you can upload content or install a CMS (e.g., WordPress) to manage the subdomain’s site.

How to Upload Content: #

  1. In hPanel, go to Files > File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the folder created for your subdomain (e.g., blog folder in public_html).
  3. Upload your website files or install a CMS to start building the content for your subdomain.

Troubleshooting Tips #

  1. Subdomain Not Loading:
    • Ensure the DNS record is configured correctly and allow time for propagation.
    • Clear your DNS cache (ipconfig /flushdns on Windows or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache on Mac).
  2. SSL Certificate Error:
    • Reissue the SSL certificate in hPanel if it hasn’t been applied automatically.
    • Make sure the subdomain is listed in the SSL configuration.
  3. “Server Not Found” Error:
    • Verify that the subdomain DNS record points to the correct IP address or CNAME target.
    • Double-check the spelling of the subdomain in the DNS settings.
  4. Slow Loading Times:
    • Enable caching in hPanel and use a CDN (e.g., Cloudflare) to improve the loading speed of your subdomain.

Additional Tips: #

  • Use Analytics: Set up Google Analytics for your subdomain to track visitor behavior and performance separately from your main domain.
  • Create a Staging Environment: Use a staging subdomain (e.g., staging.yourdomain.com) for testing changes before deploying them to the live site.
  • Optimize for SEO: Ensure your subdomain has its own meta tags and sitemap for better visibility in search engines.

Would you like more detailed assistance with DNS settings or need help configuring content for your subdomain?

You said: #

• How to Preview a Website

ChatGPT said: #
GPT

How to Preview a Website on OzSpeed Using hPanel #

Previewing your website before it goes live is an essential step in the development process. It allows you to review the design, test functionality, and make adjustments without exposing the site to the public. With OzSpeed’s hPanel, you have several options for previewing your website safely. Here’s how to do it.

Method 1: Use the hPanel Preview Feature #

OzSpeed provides a built-in preview tool that lets you view your website directly from hPanel.

Step 1: Log in to hPanel #

  1. Go to ozspeed.com.au and log in to your hPanel Dashboard.
  2. Click on My Websites and select the website you want to preview.

Step 2: Open the Preview #

  1. In the website management section, click on “Preview Website”.
  2. A new tab will open, showing you a preview of your website as it currently looks.

Tip: #

  • The hPanel preview tool shows the website as it would appear to visitors, including any recent changes that haven’t been published yet.

Method 2: Use a Temporary URL #

If your domain isn’t connected yet, you can use a temporary URL provided by OzSpeed to preview your website.

Step 1: Find the Temporary URL #

  1. Log in to hPanel and go to Domains > DNS Settings.
  2. Look for the Temporary URL (e.g., yourwebsite.ozspeed.com).

Step 2: Access the Temporary URL #

  1. Copy the temporary URL.
  2. Paste it into your browser’s address bar and press Enter.
  3. Review your website and check for any issues.

Tip: #

  • The temporary URL is useful for testing your site before your custom domain is fully connected.

Method 3: Preview the Website Using a Local Hosts File #

If your DNS changes haven’t propagated yet, you can preview your website by editing your hosts file. This method temporarily overrides your DNS settings on your local computer.

Step 1: Find Your Website’s IP Address #

  1. Log in to hPanel and go to Hosting Account > DNS Settings.
  2. Copy the IP address of your website.

Step 2: Edit the Hosts File #

  1. Open your computer’s hosts file:
    • On Windows, go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
    • On Mac, open Terminal and type sudo nano /etc/hosts.
    • On Linux, use a text editor like Nano (sudo nano /etc/hosts).
  2. Add the following line to the hosts file:csharpCopy code[IP Address] yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com

Example:

Copy code203.0.113.123 yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com
  1. Save the file and close the editor.

Step 3: Preview Your Website #

  1. Open your browser and go to yourdomain.com.
  2. You should see your website as it appears on OzSpeed’s server.

Tip: #

  • Remember to remove the entry from your hosts file after you finish previewing the website.

Method 4: Use a Staging Environment #

If you want to test changes without affecting your live website, use a staging environment.

How to Create a Staging Environment: #

  1. In hPanel, go to Development > Staging.
  2. Click “Create Staging Site” and select the website you want to clone.
  3. Wait for the staging site to be set up (it may take a few minutes).
  4. Access the staging site using the provided URL (e.g., staging.yourwebsite.com).

How to Preview and Test: #

  1. Make changes to the staging site and review them.
  2. Once you’re satisfied, you can push the changes to the live website.

Tip: #

  • Use the staging environment to test major updates, new plugins, or design changes without affecting your live site.

Method 5: Preview the Website Using a CMS Plugin (For WordPress) #

If you’re using WordPress, you can use a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode or Coming Soon Page to preview your website while keeping it hidden from the public.

How to Set Up Preview Mode: #

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
  3. Search for WP Maintenance Mode and click Install Now, then Activate.
  4. Go to Settings > WP Maintenance Mode.
  5. Enable the Preview Mode and configure the settings.

How to Preview: #

  1. Click on “Preview Page” to see how your website looks.
  2. Only users logged in as admin can see the full preview, while visitors will see a maintenance page.

Tip: #

  • Use this method if you want to preview your WordPress site without exposing it to the public.

Troubleshooting Tips #

  1. Website Not Showing Updates:
    • Clear your browser cache and reload the page.
    • Use a private or incognito window to check if the changes are visible.
  2. Cannot Access Temporary URL:
    • Ensure your website is hosted on OzSpeed and the DNS settings are correct.
    • Check your internet connection and try accessing the URL from a different browser.
  3. Preview Looks Different from Live Site:
    • Verify that you’re using the latest version of your theme and plugins.
    • Disable any caching plugins temporarily and refresh the preview.

Additional Tips: #

  • Enable Browser Developer Tools: Use the Inspect feature (F12) in your browser to check for layout issues or errors in the console while previewing your site.
  • Test Responsiveness: Use the Responsive Design Mode in your browser’s developer tools to preview how your website looks on different devices (e.g., mobile, tablet, desktop).
  • Get Feedback: Share the preview URL with team members or clients to gather feedback before going live.
Updated on November 12, 2024

What are your Feelings

  • Happy
  • Normal
  • Sad

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *