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How do I set up a Vanity URL to go to my Splash page?

Here we breakdown how the Vanity URL setup works, which is currently available with our Enterprise licenses.
 
Most importantly: Make sure you purchase a custom domain to connect to your Splash page, or contact your company's IT team. We support all domains, especially those ending in .events!
 

Before you get started

  1. This setup is not a redirect. So avoid that word at all costs! It can interfere with your page in some cases. This setup is secure and loyal - like a Golden Retriever instead of a Goldfish.
  2. Make sure you have the login credentials for the system where you purchased the domain, which is called a domain name registrar.
  3. The first bit of setup will take place in your domain name registrar's system and the second bit will take place in Splash.
  4. Once the setup is complete, it can take up to an hour for the domain to connect on all systems.

First, we’ll need to figure out your domain type.

Domain Types

The domain type describes how your custom domain is structured. It will also determine how your DNS Settings will be configured within your Domain Name Registrar.

    • Regular domain: Also referred to as the root domain, these are standard URLs such as companyevent.com or company.events (e.g. splashthat.com). A regular domain is best used for one-time events.

    • Subdomain: A unique URL that extends in front of the purchased regular domain, such as events.company.com or support.companyevents.com. Best for: one-time events and Event Hubs.

    • Directory: A unique URL that extends the end of your purchased regular and/or subdomain; companyevent.com/myfirstevent or events.company.com/product. Best for: event series.

Domain Set Up

Follow the steps below for your corresponding domain type below. Reminder: these steps need to be completed prior to entering the domain into the Vanity URL field in Splash.

Regular Domains (e.g. splashthat.com) Best for: One-time events 

If you'll be using a subdomain like support.splashthat.com or splashthat.com/webinars, scroll down or jump straight to this article.
 
For regular domains, you will need to create an A record that points to our IP address within web host. Sound scary? The domain name registrar should have a Help Center (or support team!) to help you out.
 
Typically, the steps are:
1. Double check you're in the DNS Settings.
2. Click Add New Record.
4. The Add DNS Record window displays.
5. From the Record type list, select A or A (Host).
6. For Host Name type "@" or "*" to point directly to your domain name.
7. In the "Points to" or "IP Address" field, enter: 54.84.134.174
8. Under TTL (Time to Live), leave the default setting.
 
9. Click Add Record, OK, or Save - whatever pops up!
10. IMPORTANT: Delete any previously listed A Host, AAAA, or IPv6 records that are not directing to Splash. These could prevent your website from loading properly.
11. Save the Zone File or DNS Settings again if necessary. 
12. If you'd like your www version of the site to also point to your main site, you can add another A record pointing to the same IP address, shown below.

 
If you've followed these steps and are still having trouble, submit a request at the top of the page and we'll take a look!
 

Subdomains (e.g. events.splashthat.com) Best for: One-time events and Event Hubs

Typically, the steps are:

1. Double check you're in the DNS Settings section.
2. Click Add New Record.
3. The Add DNS Record window displays.
4. From the Record type list, select CNAME. If your subdomain requires an SSL, you’ll need to create an A record and point your A Record to our vanity IP: 54.84.134.174. Check out more in our SSL Certification Installation section below.
5. For Host Name, enter the subdomain for your event, like "events" for "events.splashthat.com".
6. For Target Name enter "domains.splashthat.com". 
Yep, literally enter domains.splashthat.com. 
 
That's it!
 
Image_2018-02-14_at_7.02.01_PM.png
 

Directories (e.g. splashthat.com/webinars) Best for: Event series

To use directories, the root URL needs to point to Splash. Complete this using the regular domain setup above - but the kicker is you don't actually have a Splash page.

We recommend connecting the root domain with a Splash event hub, like splash.events. 

1. Ensure to complete the regular domain setup for the root URL.

2. Double check sure you entered the directory domain into the Vanity URL field in the Settings tab of your Splash page.

Surprise, that's it! Now that you've set up the root domain to point to Splash, you can add any directory for that domain to the Vanity URL field of each Splash event you throw with no further setup.
 
Just check out our "off limits" directories here: Why are some links off limits?
Here's a helpful table to breakdown the different domain types and their requirements:

Record Type

A or CNAME

Host / Hostname
  • Primary domain, use @
  • If covering www as well, create a second record for www
  • Subdomain or subdirectory, use the first part (e.g. party2018)
  • If covering multiple subdomains, use *

Points To / Target / Value

(either 54.84.134.174 or domains.splashthat.com)

TTL / Time to LIve

Either use the default value, or set it to 300 (5 minutes)

SSL Certification Set Up:

The installation of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is a typical requirement to meet the rigorous security standards of many companies. It also enables your Vanity URLs to open with https:// prepended.

If you’ve decided to install an SSL certificate, we can hook it up as an additional service. 

This is a two-step process:

  1. Make sure your DNS settings have an A Record that’s pointed to our vanity IP: 54.84.134.174 just like you would for regular domain. CNAME records should always point to domains.splashthat.com UNLESS there is an SSL installed on the domain.

  2. Next, send us an email at prosupport@splashthat.com with the following information:
  • Custom Domain Name
  • Country Name
  • State or Province Name
  • Locality Name (City)
  • Organization Name (Company)
  • Organizational Unit Name (Section) - This is optional
  • Email - This is optional
  • Should www. be covered in the certificate for the domain as well?
  • Do you want to create an SSL using Let’s Encrypt or traditional SSL?

Need to include more than one domain in your certificate? No problem! Just let us know. We can generate one CSR with multiple domains or a CSR per domain. The choice is completely yours!

Now that we've completed the domain and SSL set up, there's one final step. Adding the domain to the vanity URL field in Splash! 

Splash Set Up

  1. Create the Splash page. Did you know every page gets its own splashthat.com domain? This is totally legitimate and can be used to spread the word. Vanity URLs are best for company branding or that extra special touch.
  2. Go to the  Event Settings tab on your page's toolbar. If you don't see the Vanity URL field, please reach out to have it applied to your page. It's included with all Enterprise licenses!
  3. Enter the custom domain that you would like to connect with the Splash page, e.g. splashthat.com.
  4. Hit Save! You're all set!  
 
 
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