I use Squarespace to manage morgantaveras.com and its DNS, but my other WordPress sites are hosted on Namecheap Stellar Plus shared hosting. This is how I create a new subdomain like wiki.morgantaveras.com without disturbing my main site.
1. Create the subdomain in Namecheap
Log into Namecheap.
Go to:
Dashboard → Hosting List → Stellar Plus → Go to cPanel
In cPanel, go to:
Domains → Domains → Create A New Domain
Enter the complete subdomain, for example:
wiki.morgantaveras.com
Make sure “Share document root” is UNCHECKED. The new site needs its own folder rather than sharing files with another site.
cPanel should create/suggest a document root resembling:
/home/[username]/wiki.morgantaveras.com
Create the domain.
2. Point the subdomain to Namecheap
My DNS is managed through Squarespace, so creating the subdomain in Namecheap isn’t enough. I also have to tell the internet where wiki.morgantaveras.com lives.
Go to:
Squarespace → Domains → morgantaveras.com → DNS Settings
Create an A record:
Host: wiki
Type: A
Data / Value: the IP address for my Namecheap shared hosting
How do I find the IP again?
I do not need a new IP for every subdomain.
My sites on the same Namecheap shared-hosting account can point to the same shared IP address. Namecheap/cPanel figures out which website to serve based on the requested domain.
Two easy ways to find it:
- In cPanel → General Information → Shared IP Address
- Or look at the existing Squarespace A record for
me.morgantaveras.comand copy its IP.
So me and wiki can have separate A records pointing to the same IP.
Mental model: The IP address is the house. me. and wiki. are different doors into the house. cPanel knows which room/site belongs behind each door.
3. Install WordPress
Once the subdomain exists and points to Namecheap:
cPanel → Softaculous Apps Installer → WordPress → Install
Choose:
wiki.morgantaveras.com
Leave “In Directory” BLANK so WordPress installs directly at wiki.morgantaveras.com, not something like wiki.morgantaveras.com/wp.
Create the WordPress admin login and install.
DNS changes can take a little time to propagate, so the new address may not work immediately.
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