Set up a Custom Domain

Table of Contents
DNS records are vital for allowing users to access the services that run under your domain. If you currently have important services running under your domain, pay close attention at every step of this guide. Incorrectly modifying DNS records can cause your existing services to become inaccessible.

Introduction #

Custom domains are a great way to strengthen your brand, improve click-through rates, and provide the most seamless experience for your audience. You can use any domain (or subdomain thereof) that you own as a custom domain. There are two prerequisites for creating a custom domain:

  1. The domain or subdomain cannot be used for another purpose. This means that if your website is hosted at example.com, you cannot use example.com as a custom domain. You could, however, use a subdomain of example.com, such as go.example.com.
  2. You must be able to modify the DNS records for your domain. If you are using a subdomain (e.g., go.example.com) as your custom domain and the root domain (e.g., example.com) is currently being used for another purpose, take extra care to not accidentally modify any DNS records for the root domain. Doing so could cause your root domain to stop functioning properly.

Step 1: Add the domain or subdomain #

In the SpiffyLinks dashboard, navigate to Settings → Custom Domains and create a new custom domain. Enter just the domain (e.g., example.com, go.example.com). Do not include a scheme (e.g., https://) or anything else.

Step 2: Create the TXT Record #

After you add the domain, a TXT record value will be generated. This record must be created in your domain’s DNS settings – it allows us to verify that you own the domain.

  1. Copy the TXT record value.
  2. Navigate to your domain’s DNS settings and create a record with the following properties:
    • Type: TXT
    • Name/Hostname/Host: [your custom domain]
      • Depending on the registrar, you may be prompted to enter your custom domain in full or to enter only the subdomain portion. Pay close attention to what is prompted.
        • If you are prompted only for the subdomain portion, leave it blank if your custom domain is the root domain (i.e., blank for example.com) or fill it in if your custom domain is a subdomain (i.e., go for go.example.com).
        • If you are prompted for the complete domain, enter the complete custom domain.
    • Value: [your TXT record value]
    • TTL: 300 seconds
  3. Go back to the SpiffyLinks dashboard and click the “Verify TXT Record” button. Our system will check your DNS records for the TXT record. Note that DNS records can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate, but typically take less than 5 minutes.

Step 3: Set the NS Records #

Once your TXT record has been verified, it is time to add the NS records.

a.ns.spiffylinks.com
b.ns.spiffylinks.com
c.ns.spiffylinks.com
d.ns.spiffylinks.com
  1. Copy the NS record values above.
  2. Navigate to your domain’s DNS settings and set the NS records for your custom domain. If your custom domain already has NS records defined, you should modify those existing records instead of creating new ones.
    • Type: NS
    • Name/Hostname/Host: [your custom domain]
      • Depending on the registrar, you may be prompted to enter your custom domain in full or to enter only the subdomain portion. Pay close attention to what is prompted.
        • If you are prompted only for the subdomain portion, leave it blank if your custom domain is the root domain (i.e., blank for example.com) or fill it in if your custom domain is a subdomain (i.e., go for go.example.com).
        • If you are prompted for the complete domain, enter the complete custom domain.
    • Values:
      • a.ns.spiffylinks.com
      • b.ns.spiffylinks.com
      • c.ns.spiffylinks.com
      • d.ns.spiffylinks.com
    • TTL: 300 seconds
  3. Head back to the SpiffyLinks dashboard and click to confirm that you have set the NS records.

Step 4: Wait for setup to complete #

After you click to confirm that the NS records have been created, the automated setup process will begin. This typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. Your custom domain will be active once the setup process is complete.