First I am going to assume that you have registered a domain name. This is because addon domains and sub domains work if one has an already existing domain name? Do you know that you can add another domain name on top of the domain name you already own?
You can do this through a sub domain name and an add-on domain name. Don't mistake these two to be the same thing. We will later on note the differences that do exist between a sub domain name and an add-on domain name on this article.
A good domain name is the one that is easy to grow with. New projects can be started using the same domain name without encountering any difficulties. If you visit a website like Yahoo.com you will realize that it deals with many products like yahoo answers, yahoo news, sports, dating, movies, health etc. These products are under a single domain name that is yahoo.com. Do you think Yahoo Company was able to start and run these products because of possessing a good domain name?
For you to be able to run a number of projects ensure that you register a domain name that is good. Remember also that you have to aggressively market your domain name. Your website needs to have a continuous traffic. If you lack traffic, then it means you won't have buyers. Lack of traffic is a big challenge that should be tackled. How do you market a domain name so as to acquire traffic? Below is a link, click it to visit a page that contains nine domain name marketing tips.
Sub-domains and addon domains don't have their own control panel. When using a sub-domain and an addon domain you'll be required to create a sub-directory which you'll add to your main hosting. By doing this an addon domain name and a sub domain name will have its own index file and CGI bin folder.
To get addon domains is not difficult; all you have to do is find available domain names that you can register. After the registration log in your account where you're provided with hosting services. Go to the control panel, while there find addon domains feature. Thereafter fill your addon domain name so as to start its installation.
Difference Between Addon Domains and Sub Domains
Here are two differences between addon domains and sub domains:
1.) Sub domains are for free (you don't pay anything). On the other hand addon domains are not for free, you'll be required to register them just like normal domain names and thereafter be renewing them when they're about to expire.
2.) Addon domains always have their own independent URL while sub domain names don't have. Sub domain names are always linked to primary (main) domain name.
Example of addon domain name: http://www.nikenya.com
Example of a sub domain name: http://www.forums.nikenya.com
Why should you use a sub domain name? You can use it when adding more pages on the parent directory. For instance, if you want to add a forum on your website (main domain name) then you can use a sub domain name to enable you do this. It will appear like this:
http://www.forums.nikenya.com.
Note that you can create as many sub domain names as you can since web hosting companies don't limit the number of sub domain names that their clients can create.
Advantages of Using Addon Domains
1.) Since you use the same hosting account you're able to save money.
2.) Using addon domains you're able to share the same resources with the main website.
3.) Through add domains directory you'll be able to upload forums, blogs, etc.
4.) Addon domains have their own independent FTP manager. You can create many domain names to use in running several websites using the same web hosting account.
If you want to run other websites or start new projects on your already existing website, then go ahead and use addon domains.