# How to connect my Hostgator subdomain with Short.io

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It is not necessary to register a new domain name for shortening links if you own one that works properly. Create a subdomain using a domain you already have.

**Note**

Before using Hostgator for a subdomain, enable the service for your main domain.

When your main domain is active in Hostgator, add a subdomain.

## Hostgator **configurations**[​](#hostgator-configurations "Direct link to hostgator-configurations")

***

1. Sign in to your [Hostgator](https://www.hostgator.com/) account.

2. In the Dashboard, click on **Domains**:

   ![HostGator dashboard with Domains menu highlighted](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-screenshotfrom2024-09-1915-05-57-3dd61d3d-d4c181c2690aa94d6709afae08326d43.png)

3. Navigate to the **Advanced Tools** panel and click on **Manage** next to **Advanced DNS Records**:

   ![HostGator Advanced Tools panel with Manage button for Advanced DNS Records](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-screenshotfrom2024-09-1915-10-43-869a71a3-6b8250eaaa95fd3cad8f144bd02b356b.png)

4. In the **Mange Advanced DNS Records** screen click on **Add Record**:

   ![HostGator Manage Advanced DNS Records page with Add Record button](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-screenshotfrom2024-09-1915-18-14-e7b7c474-57e053226a03eb0e797bcd648e91091e.png)

5. In the records settings provide the following information:

   * **Type**: CNAME

   * **Refers to**: Other Host

   * `<your-subdomain-name>`, ***for example***: mysubdomain

   * **Alias to**: cname.short.io

   * **TTL**: *select a period based on your preferences*

   ![HostGator Add Advanced DNS Record form with CNAME and cname.short.io values](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-screenshotfrom2024-09-1915-24-53a-e5a18093-edea30905e4ee86b2d53a9cef6f449ab.png)

6. Click on **Add**.

The DNS record is added to your domain settings:

![HostGator CNAME record list showing subdomain pointing to cname.short.io](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-untitled-1d6b53b1-429f685135a454f16eab9f0e57ed1372.png)

## Short.io configurations[​](#shortio-configurations "Direct link to Short.io configurations")

***

1. Sign in to your [Short.io](https://short.io/) account.

2. Click on **Add domain** and then on **Add own domain**:

   ![Short.io domain selection page with Add own domain highlighted](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-image-99ba2109-22e9b37ccf5dc9683f6959df80f8cd3f.png)

3. Enter your domain name and click on **This is domain I already use for website or blog**:

   ![Add own domain form with subdomain name options and Add Domain button](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-image-c51e8739-70dd5135cb974f7cb94da64d74ad7b01.png)

4. Select an option according to your subdomain name and click on **Add domain**.

5. Open the **Domain settings** and check if the domain is in status **Active**:

   ![Short.io Domain Settings showing Active status for subdomain](/assets/images/subdomain-setup-guides-how-to-connect-my-hostgator-subdomain-with-short.io-screenshotfrom2024-08-0716-52-12c-8ec761c9-77ee8042d7369fda10bbc2b9ab1c7e30.png)

**Important note**

If the domain is **Inactive** then wait for a few hours and click on **Refresh** to check if the status has changed.

You will receive an email from the **Short.io** team informing you that the domain is now configured. Feel free to shorten your links and enjoy **Short.io**.