CUSTOM_DOMAIN_SETUP - Alphabiz Docs

Custom Domain Setup Guide

This guide explains how to set up a custom domain for your white-label listings site.

Overview

Partner organizations can use their own domain (e.g., listings.yourcompany.com) to display business listings with your branding. We handle all the technical infrastructure including SSL certificates and hosting.

What You Get

Setup Process

Step 1: Choose Your Domain

Decide on the subdomain you want to use for listings:

Example Domain Description
listings.yourcompany.com Most common choice
properties.yourcompany.com For real estate focused sites
businesses.yourcompany.com Alternative option

Note: We recommend using a subdomain rather than your root domain.

Step 2: Request Domain Setup

Contact your account manager or submit a request through the dashboard with:

  1. Domain name: The full subdomain you want to use
  2. Organization name: Your company name for branding
  3. Logo: Your logo file (PNG or SVG preferred)
  4. Brand colors: Primary and secondary colors (hex codes)

We’ll configure the domain on our end and provide you with a CNAME target.

Step 3: Configure Your DNS

Once we provide your CNAME target, add a DNS record with your domain registrar:

Field Value
Type CNAME
Name listings (or your chosen subdomain)
Target d1234567890.cloudfront.net (we provide this)
TTL 300 (5 minutes)

Example DNS Configuration

Type:   CNAME
Name:   listings.yourcompany.com
Value:  d1234567890.cloudfront.net
TTL:    300

Common DNS Providers: - GoDaddy: DNS Management → Add Record → CNAME - Cloudflare: DNS → Add Record → CNAME (disable proxy/orange cloud) - Route 53: Hosted Zone → Create Record → CNAME - Namecheap: Advanced DNS → Add New Record → CNAME

Step 4: SSL Certificate Provisioning

After you configure DNS, we automatically:

  1. Verify DNS - Confirm your CNAME points to us
  2. Issue SSL Certificate - Provision HTTPS for your domain
  3. Activate Domain - Enable your custom domain

This process typically takes 15-30 minutes after DNS propagation.

Step 5: Verification

Once setup is complete, you can:

  1. Visit https://listings.yourcompany.com
  2. Verify SSL certificate shows as valid (padlock icon)
  3. Confirm your branding appears correctly
  4. Test that listings display properly

What We Handle

Component Description
SSL Certificates We provision and renew certificates automatically
Hosting All infrastructure is managed by us
CDN Global content delivery via CloudFront
Updates Platform updates apply automatically
Security DDoS protection and security monitoring

Publishing Listings to Your Domain

Once your domain is active, you can publish listings to it:

  1. Go to a business profile’s Share page
  2. Click Add URL
  3. Select your organization’s domain
  4. Choose a custom URL slug (optional)
  5. Click Publish

The listing will now be accessible at:

https://listings.yourcompany.com/your-listing-slug

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS changes typically propagate within 5-30 minutes, but can take up to 48 hours in rare cases.

Can I use my root domain (yourcompany.com)?

We recommend using a subdomain. Root domains require additional DNS configuration (A records or ALIAS records) which varies by provider.

What if I already have a website on listings.yourcompany.com?

The CNAME will redirect all traffic for that subdomain to our platform. If you have existing content there, it will no longer be accessible at that URL.

Can I have multiple custom domains?

Yes, organizations can have multiple domains. Contact your account manager to add additional domains.

How do I update my branding?

Branding changes can be made through the organization dashboard or by contacting your account manager.

What happens if my SSL certificate expires?

We automatically renew certificates before expiration. No action is required on your part.

Troubleshooting

Domain not loading

  1. Check DNS: Verify CNAME record is configured correctly
  2. Wait for propagation: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours
  3. Check for typos: Ensure domain name matches exactly
  4. Contact support: If issues persist after 24 hours

SSL certificate errors

  1. Wait for provisioning: SSL setup takes 15-30 minutes after DNS
  2. Clear browser cache: Old certificates may be cached
  3. Check DNS: SSL requires correct CNAME configuration

Branding not appearing

  1. Hard refresh: Press Ctrl+Shift+R (Cmd+Shift+R on Mac)
  2. Clear cache: Try incognito/private browsing mode
  3. Verify setup: Confirm branding was configured correctly

Support

For assistance with custom domain setup:

For technical API documentation, see Partner Organization Signup.