Using Your Custom Domain for URL Shortening

Overview

With Urllix, you can use your own custom domain instead of our generic domain (urllix.com) for a more branded experience. This guide walks you through the setup process.

Note: Urllix is hosted on Render, which is why you'll see urllix.onrender.com in the setup process. This is completely normal and ensures everything runs smoothly.

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Step 1: Choose a Good Domain or Subdomain

When selecting a domain for your URL shortener, consider:

• Short & Memorable: Keep it as short as possible (e.g., your.ly, brand.link).
  
• Brand Relevance: Use your brand name or an abbreviation.
  
• Avoid Confusing Characters: Avoid numbers and hyphens unless necessary.
  

Choosing a Subdomain (Recommended)

Most users prefer using a subdomain (e.g., short.example.com) instead of buying a new domain. This allows you to:

• Maintain brand identity while using a dedicated shortener.
  
• Keep your main website unchanged while benefiting from custom URLs.
  
• Easily manage DNS settings without affecting your primary domain.
  

Good subdomain examples:

• go.example.com
  
• link.example.com
  
• short.example.com
  

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Step 2: Update Your DNS Records

Remove any AAAA records from your domain while configuring DNS. AAAA records map to an IPv6 address, and Render uses IPv4. These records can cause unexpected behavior for your custom domain.

Before adding your domain to Urllix, you must configure your DNS settings:

• Add an A record pointing to Render’s IP: 216.24.57.1
  OR
  
• Add a CNAME record pointing to urllix.onrender.com

Important: DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate.

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Step 3: Add Your Domain in Urllix

1. Log in to your Urllix account.
2. Go to Brand Domains, then click on Add a brand domain button.
3. Enter your domain or subdomain in the provided form.
4. Submit – we will automatically add it to our system.
5. Click Verify Domain to check if the setup is complete.
6. Once verified, you can add multiple custom domains and choose the one you want when generating short URLs.

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Important Notes

• Once configured, your domain will be used exclusively for URL shortening.
• You can add multiple custom domains and select which one to use for each short URL.
• Make sure you do not use this domain for other websites or services.
• If you need help, mail us on contact@urllix.com

That's it! You're all set up. 🚀