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

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Kristen Lott
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This article breaks down to set up a Vanity URL, a feature available with a paid Splash plan.

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Before you get started

Domain types

Domain set up

3.1        Regular domains

3.2        Subdomains

3.3        Directories

SSL Certification

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 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!
  3. Make sure you have the login credentials for the system where you purchased the domain, which is called a domain name registrar.
  4. Be sure to deactivate any CDNs you may have enabled through your domain settings. Fastly, our CDN provider is built into all of your pages to help ensure your guests see the most up-to-date design changes and information.
  5. The first bit of setup will take place in your domain name registrar's system and the second bit will take place in Splash.
  6. Once the setup is complete, it can take up to an hour for the domain to connect on all systems.

Watch our overview video then jump into figuring 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 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. Reminder: these steps need to be completed prior to entering the domain into the Vanity URL field in Splash. 

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Note: These steps will differ depending on the registrar used, so be sure to check the specific site's instructions before moving forward. 

 

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, enter "@" 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 hub pages

Typically, the steps are:
  1. Double check you're in the DNS Settings section.
  2. Click Add New Record and the Add DNS Record window will display.
  3. Determine whether you'll be proceeding with SSL certificate installation to display this site as secure. This determines how to set your DNS records.

If you'll be proceeding with SSL certificate installation:

  1. Create an A record.
  2. For Host Name, enter the subdomain for your event, like "events" for "events.splashthat.com".
  3. In the "Points to" or "IP Address" field, enter: 54.84.134.174
  4. Under TTL (Time to Live), leave the default setting.
  5. Click Add Record, OK, or Save - whatever pops up!
  6. IMPORTANT: Delete any previously listed conflicting A Host, AAAA, or IPv6 records that are not directing to Splash. These could prevent your website from loading properly.
  7. Save the Zone File or DNS Settings again if necessary. 
  8. Proceed directly to the SSL Certification Installation section below.

If you will not be installing an SSL certificate: 

  1. Create a CNAME record.
  2. For Host Name, enter the subdomain for your event, like "events" for "events.splashthat.com".
  3. For Target Name enter "domains.splashthat.com". Yep, literally enter domains.splashthat.com.  
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.

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Link: 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.

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

  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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