You've purchased your domain and you now need to point your URL to the WhiteLabelDating platform. You're ready to set up your CNAME record. Here's how...
When you have purchased a domain it’s time to connect it to the White Label Dating platform. You will use a CNAME record to do this.
A CNAME record is a way of pointing a domain name to a platform like WhiteLabelDating.com.
It allows you to mask our platform domain so your traffic will see only yours. For example, if your domain is JustSingles.com, creating a CNAME will allow your site to appear as app.JustSingles.com with no reference to WhiteLabelDating.com in the URL.
This is also great for user experience, as when your traffic leaves your landing page and ends up on our platform (your WLD site) they feel as though they're in the same place.
Below we will guide you through how to set up a CNAME record and point it to the White Label Dating platform.
You’ll need to complete the following steps before you create your member's area in Dating Dashboard.
Before you begin
You’ll need to have purchased a domain from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or 123-reg.co.uk (there are others available but these are the most popular options). To have purchased a domain you will have needed to create an account with the domain registrar. When you’re logged into your account, you’re ready to follow the steps to create a CNAME.
This article uses images from GoDaddy. These may vary slightly if you’re using another provider.
- Create a CNAME record
- Check the CNAME is set up correctly
Step 1: Create a ‘CNAME record’
After you’ve logged into your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain) you are able to manage the settings for the domain.
- From the list of domains you own, select the one you’d like to display your dating site on.
- Click ‘Manage my domain’ (this may vary depending on which domain registrar you’re using. If you can’t find the domain settings, use the registrars support docs to help you).
- When you’re in your domain settings, select ‘Manage DNS’, sometimes called ‘Advanced DNS’ or ‘DNS settings’.
- Select ‘Add’ to create a new DNS record.
- The ‘Type’ will be CNAME
- The ‘Host’ or ‘Hostname’ will be whatever you wish to appear in the dating site’s URL.
We’d recommend using something like app, dating or members. For geographic sites you could use uk, au or us for example, if you’re planning to expand your brand internationally.
This hostname will be displayed before your domain, so when using the members area the member would see app.yourdomain.com if we were to name the host app. - The CNAME record will ‘Point to’ alias2.whitelabeldating.com.
This will be the same for all sites pointing to the White Label Dating platform. - ‘TTL’ means ‘time to live’ and can be left at the default setting.
- Click ‘Save’.
Step 2: Check the CNAME is set up correctly
- Enter your CNAME into a web browser, for example, app.yourdomain.com.
If the page appears like below, your CNAME is working correctly. This page will show until your member's area has been approved.
The CNAME record usually starts working immediately, but sometimes you may need to wait a few hours so don’t worry if the page doesn’t display straight away. Check again in a few hours if you’re confident you’ve followed all the steps correctly. If after 24 hours the page still isn’t working contact your domain registrar’s support team for assistance.
Your CNAME is now created and will point to your site on the WhiteLabelDating platform. Don't worry if you can't see your site straight away - it won't appear until it has been approved by our Partner Support team. For more information about site approval check out our Site Submission Checklist.