How to choose between a subdomain, website alias, forwarding, and private nameservers

These features solve different problems. Choose the one matching your intended result before changing DNS or your hosting setup.

For a subdomain or alias:

1. Check that the hosting plan and your Virtualmin permissions permit the intended extra website or alias.
2. Create or request the matching hosting configuration.
3. Add the required records at the authoritative DNS provider.
4. Configure HTTPS for the additional name and test the address directly. Cloudflare's subdomain-record guidance explains the DNS portion; DNS alone does not create the website.

For URL forwarding: Open the managed domain's Forwarding section. Registrar forwarding is available only with eligible registrar DNS. If another provider is authoritative, use that provider's forwarding facility or a redirect on the web host. Test the root domain, www, and HTTPS separately. A CNAME is a DNS alias, not a browser redirect, and forwarding does not move email.

For private nameservers: Ask support whether they are needed. If you actually operate the DNS service, open Private nameservers, enter the assigned hostname and real server addresses, and use the available create or update action. Registering glue does not install DNS software, populate a zone, or change the domain's delegation. The DNS glue specification explains its role in reaching nameservers.

If something is missing or does not work: Check plan permission, authoritative DNS, web-host configuration, and certificate coverage separately. Do not create private nameservers merely to connect ordinary hosting, and do not delete a private nameserver while domains still depend on it.

Related: Website DNS records, Nameservers, Find the DNS editor.