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
- 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.
- Make sure you have the login credentials for the system where you purchased the domain, which is called a domain name registrar.
- The first bit of setup will take place in Splash and the second bit will take place in your domain name registrar's system
- Once the setup is complete, it can take up to an hour for the domain to connect on all systems.
Ready? Let's go!
Setup
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. Head to the 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.
* This can be entered at the time of purchase or edited later within the Settings tab of your toolbar, shown below in the Vanity URL field. Type the domain that you own in the field and don't include www. or http://. This part will automatically be included. Don't forget to click Save!
4. Check your domain type:
- Regular domain, e.g. splashthat.com or splashthat.events
- Subdomain, e.g. events.splashthat.com or support.splashthat.com
- Directory, e.g. splashthat.com/webinars or splashthat.com/product
5. Visit the website where you purchased the domain and log in.
6. Go to the settings of the domain name you want to connect.
7. Navigate to the specific domain's DNS Settings.
Need help finding DNS? Check the Help Center of your domain name registrar's site. Avoid any option that says "redirect".
8. Based on your domain type in Step 4, continue below:
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.
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.
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 records that are not directing to Splash.
11. Save the Zone File or DNS Settings again if necessary.
10. IMPORTANT: Delete any previously listed A Host records that are not directing to Splash.
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.
2. Click Add New Record.
3. The Add DNS Record window displays.
4. From the Record type list, select CNAME.
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!
Important note about CNAME records and subdomains: Thinking about purchasing an SSL Certificate for your domain? CNAME records should always point to domains.splashthat.com UNLESS there is an SSL installed on the domain. In that case, you would need to point your domain to our vanity IP: 54.84.134.174 just like you would for regular domains.
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?