Custom Domains

Use your own branded domains for short links. Build trust, reinforce your brand, and maintain complete control over your link presence.

Why Custom Domains?

Generic short link domains work, but branded domains work better. Custom domains transform your links from anonymous URLs into branded assets that build recognition and trust with every share.

Benefits of Custom Domains

Setting Up a Custom Domain

Step 1: Choose Your Domain

You can use any domain you own. Popular patterns include:

• go.yourcompany.com - Simple and clear
• link.yourcompany.com - Self-explanatory
• yourcompany.link - Modern TLD option
• short.yourcompany.com - Descriptive

Step 2: Add Domain in Dashboard

1. Go to Custom Domains in your dashboard
2. Click Add Domain
3. Enter your domain name (e.g., go.yourcompany.com)
4. Click Add Domain to save

Step 3: Configure DNS

Point your domain to ShrinkLink by adding a DNS record at your domain registrar:

Step 4: Verify Domain

After adding the DNS record, return to ShrinkLink and click Verify on your domain. Verification usually takes a few minutes, but DNS propagation can sometimes take up to 48 hours.

Step 5: SSL Certificate

ShrinkLink automatically provisions an SSL certificate for your domain once verified. All your custom domain links will work over HTTPS automatically.

Common DNS Providers

Here's where to add DNS records for popular providers:

Using Root Domains

Want to use a root domain like yourbrand.link instead of a subdomain? Root domains require an A record instead of CNAME:

Multiple Domains

Add as many custom domains as you need. Common reasons for multiple domains:

• Different Brands: Separate domains for each brand in your portfolio
• Departments: Different domains for marketing, sales, support
• Campaigns: Dedicated domains for major campaigns
• Regional: Country-specific domains for international audiences

Setting a Default Domain

Set your preferred custom domain as the default for all new links:

1. Go to Custom Domains
2. Click the star icon next to your preferred domain
3. New links will automatically use this domain

You can still select a different domain when creating individual links.

Custom 404 Pages

Configure what visitors see when they visit a non-existent link on your custom domain:

• Default 404: Standard "link not found" message
• Custom URL: Redirect to your own 404 page
• Homepage Redirect: Send visitors to your main website

Troubleshooting

Domain Won't Verify

• Double-check DNS record values (no typos)
• Ensure you added CNAME, not A record (for subdomains)
• Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours)
• Check for conflicting DNS records
• Use dnschecker.org to verify propagation

SSL Certificate Issues

• Verify domain DNS is pointing correctly
• Wait 15-30 minutes after verification for SSL provisioning
• If using Cloudflare, ensure SSL mode is "Full" not "Flexible"
• Contact support if certificate doesn't appear within 1 hour

Cloudflare Users

If using Cloudflare, set the proxy status to "DNS Only" (gray cloud) initially. After verification, you can enable proxying if desired.

Best Practices