Setting up a custom short domain can help to make your links pop when your customers are reviewing your Social Media channels. To utilize this customizable feature, follow the steps below.
1. Register a domain
You need to have ownership and control of your domain. If you don’t already own a domain, you’ll need to register one. For ideas & suggestions for a short domain based on your brand, try the domain name suggestion service, domai.nr. You can also consult the list of top-level domains (TLDs) on Wikipedia for ideas.
We recommend using a domain that is 5-10 characters in length – this allows for optimal branding while conserving space for the text of your posts.
2. Update your custom domain’s DNS settings
You will need to make one of the following DNS changes:
a. Set a DNS A Record making your custom short domain point to 54.213.66.64
Example:
yourdomain.com. IN A 54.213.66.64
...or...
b. If you are using a subdomain (subdomain.your-custom-domain.com) for your custom short domain, add a CNAME record in your DNS that points your subdomain to dlvr.it
Example:
short.yourdomain.com. IN CNAME dlvr.it.
It can take up to 24 hours or more for changes to your DNS settings to take effect, though many updates are completed much faster. Until the changes take effect, you will not be able to set up and use your custom short domain in dlvr.it. This protects against publishing broken links.
More info on DNS propogation.
3. Add your Custom Short Domain to dlvr.it
Log into your dlvr.it account and go to Socials → Short Links → Add a Shortener.
On the drop down menu, click Custom Domain
Fill in the information on the prompt. Enter your custom short domain. And select a) if you would like it to be used for all of your existing routes, and/or b) used as the default for all accounts you create in the future. Click Save. (Note: the Root Redirect that we are looking for is the domain that we are sending the viewer to. For example, www.example.com. This function does not support more complex URLs at this time, for example, http://example.com/bravo.)
If your DNS settings have not yet taken effect, you will not be able to complete the set up in dlvr.it. This protects against publishing broken links. It can take up to 24 hours or more for changes to your DNS settings to take effect, though many updates are completed much faster.
More info on DNS propogation.
One custom short domain can be connected to a dlvr.it account.
For tips on how to use your custom domain to its potential, check out our blog article, 6 Easy Ways You Can Make a URL Shortener Helpful Again.