[For Beginners] What is a root domain? An easy-to-understand explanation of the differences and usage compared to www!
Many people have probably heard the terms "root domain" and "subdomain" but honestly don't quite understand them, right?
In this article, we will explain the difference between the basics of domains, "root domains" and "subdomains," and how to actually use them, using concrete sample URLs.
✅ What is a root domain?
A root domain is a pure domain name that does not have a subdomain like "www" attached to it .
Example:
OOOO.com ← This is the root domain
www.OOOO.com ← This is a subdomain
shop.OOOO.com ← This is also a subdomain
As the name "root" implies, it refers to the most basic form of that domain.
✅ Difference from subdomains
What is often compared to a root domain is a "subdomain."
A subdomain is created by adding a name like "www" or "shop" before the root domain to branch it out for different purposes.
For example, if the root domain is OOOO.com, the following would be subdomains:
www.OOOO.com (for website display)
shop.OOOO.com (exclusively for online shops)
mail.OOOO.com (for mail servers)
These are all like "branch families" managed under the original root domain (OOOO.com).
Simply put, if the root domain is a "family surname," then subdomains are like individual "first names." Even though the house is the same, you can operate them with different roles and personalities.
✅ Summary
The basic rule when using domains is to think about the roles of the root domain and subdomains separately.
First, the root domain (e.g., OOOO.com) is often used for email address usage and mail server settings, and MX records and SPF records are also set for this domain. If you are currently using OOOO.com for sending and receiving emails, this setting should be maintained as is.
On the other hand, if you want to use a custom domain for an online shop service like BASE, it is best to use a subdomain such as "www.OOOO.com".
This is because the CNAME record settings required by BASE cannot be configured for a root domain, and they would conflict with other settings (especially email).
In other words, by using OOOO.com for email and www.OOOO.com for your shop separately, you can achieve the ideal setup of
**"being able to use email" and "displaying your shop with a custom domain"**
at the same time.
By making good use of subdomains, you can divide functions and make efficient use of a single domain. If you are struggling with domain settings, please try building your setup based on this approach.
#CustomDomain #RootDomain #Subdomain #BASEShop #DomainSettings #ForBeginners #OnlineShopManagement #DNSsettings #WebBeginner #EmailSettings