Custom Domain Setup

Take your brand to the next level by connecting your own custom domain to Tapzy. This guide covers everything from understanding the benefits to complete DNS configuration and troubleshooting.

Why Use a Custom Domain?

While Tapzy provides free subdomains (e.g., tapzy.co/yourname), connecting your own domain offers several advantages:

Benefits of Custom Domains:

• Brand Control: Reinforce your brand with your own domain (e.g., links.yourbrand.com or bio.yourname.com)
• Professional Image: Custom domains appear more trustworthy and established
• SEO Benefits: Better search engine visibility and brand recognition
• Flexibility: Easily migrate to different platforms while keeping the same URL
• Analytics: Easier to track across multiple marketing channels
• Memorability: Shorter, branded URLs are easier for your audience to remember

Tapzy Subdomain vs. Custom Domain

Tapzy Subdomain (tapzy.co/yourname)

Perfect for: Quick launches, testing, personal projects, side hustles

Pros:

• Free on all plans
• Instant setup (no configuration needed)
• Automatically managed SSL/HTTPS
• No additional costs

Cons:

• Less professional appearance
• Tapzy branding in URL
• Limited brand control
• Harder to remember long usernames

Custom Domain (yourdomain.com)

Perfect for: Businesses, established creators, agencies, professional brands

Pros:

• Complete brand control
• Professional and memorable
• SEO benefits
• Platform independence
• Custom email possibilities

Cons:

• Requires paid Tapzy plan
• Domain registration cost ($10-15/year)
• DNS configuration needed
• 24-48 hour propagation time

Domain Name Options

You can use different types of domain configurations:

1. Root Domain (yourdomain.com)

Use your main domain directly for your bio link.

• Example: yourname.com
• Best for: Personal brands, solopreneurs, influencers
• Setup: Requires A record configuration

2. Subdomain (links.yourdomain.com)

Create a subdomain specifically for your bio link page.

• Examples: links.yourbrand.com, bio.yourname.com, go.yourbusiness.com
• Best for: Businesses with existing websites, agencies managing multiple clients
• Setup: Requires CNAME record configuration
• Popular choices: links, bio, go, connect, hello, visit

3. Separate Domain (yourbiolink.com)

Purchase a dedicated domain just for your bio link.

• Example: johndoelinks.com
• Best for: When you want a memorable, purpose-built URL
• Setup: Can use either A record or CNAME

Step-by-Step Domain Setup

Step 1: Purchase a Domain (If You Don't Have One)

Popular domain registrars:

• Namecheap - Great prices, user-friendly
• GoDaddy - Well-known, 24/7 support
• Google Domains - Simple interface, Google integration
• Cloudflare - Best prices, advanced features
• Porkbun - Affordable, privacy-friendly

Step 2: Access Tapzy Domain Settings

1. Log in to your Tapzy account
2. Go to Dashboard → Domains
3. Click "Add Custom Domain"
4. Enter your domain name (e.g., links.yourbrand.com)
5. Click "Continue"

Step 3: Configure DNS Settings

Tapzy will provide specific DNS records to add. The configuration depends on your domain type:

For Subdomains (Recommended):

Add a CNAME record pointing to Tapzy's servers:

For Root Domains:

Add A records pointing to Tapzy's IP addresses:

Step 4: Add DNS Records at Your Registrar

Here's how to access DNS settings at popular registrars:

Namecheap:

1. Log in to Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List → Manage
3. Click "Advanced DNS"
4. Add new record with details from Tapzy

GoDaddy:

1. Log in to GoDaddy
2. My Products → DNS
3. Click "Add" under Records
4. Enter record details from Tapzy

Cloudflare:

1. Log in to Cloudflare
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS settings
4. Add record (turn off proxy/orange cloud for CNAME)

Step 5: Verify Domain Connection

1. After adding DNS records, return to Tapzy
2. Click "Verify Domain"
3. Tapzy will check if DNS is configured correctly
4. If successful, you'll see a confirmation message

SSL Certificate & HTTPS

Tapzy automatically provisions and manages SSL certificates for your custom domain using Let's Encrypt.

What This Means:

• Your custom domain will have HTTPS automatically
• No additional cost or configuration needed
• SSL certificate auto-renews every 90 days
• Secure connection for your visitors

SSL Issuance Timeline:

1. Immediately after DNS verification: Tapzy requests SSL certificate
2. 5-10 minutes: Certificate is issued and installed
3. Result: Your domain is live with HTTPS

Cloudflare Integration

If you use Cloudflare for DNS management, follow these special instructions:

Cloudflare Configuration:

1. Add the CNAME record as specified by Tapzy
2. Important: Turn OFF the orange cloud (set to DNS only/gray cloud)
3. This allows Tapzy to manage SSL certificates properly
4. You can still benefit from Cloudflare's DNS speed

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: "Domain verification failed"

Solutions:

• Wait 1-2 hours for DNS propagation
• Double-check DNS record values (no typos)
• Ensure you added the record at the correct registrar
• Remove any conflicting DNS records
• Try verifying again after waiting

Issue: "DNS not found" or "ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED"

Solutions:

• DNS hasn't propagated yet - wait 4-6 hours
• Check if domain is properly registered and active
• Verify DNS records are published (check with DNS Checker)
• Clear your browser cache and DNS cache

Issue: "Not Secure" or SSL Certificate Error

Solutions:

• SSL certificate is still being issued - wait 15-30 minutes
• Force refresh the page (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Try accessing in incognito/private mode
• If Cloudflare user: ensure orange cloud is OFF

Issue: Domain Shows Old Content or Another Website

Solutions:

• Remove conflicting A or CNAME records
• Ensure only Tapzy DNS records are active for that subdomain
• Check if domain is pointed elsewhere (hosting, website builder)
• Clear browser cache and cookies

Domain Best Practices

Choosing a Domain:

• Keep it short: Easier to type and remember
• Make it brandable: Reflect your brand or name
• Avoid hyphens and numbers: Harder to communicate verbally
• Use .com if possible: Most recognized and trusted
• Consider alternatives: .co, .io, .me also work well for bio links

Security Tips:

• Enable two-factor authentication on your domain registrar
• Enable domain lock/transfer protection
• Use privacy protection to hide WHOIS information
• Set up renewal auto-pay to avoid expiration

SEO Optimization:

• Choose a descriptive, keyword-rich domain when possible
• Keep URLs clean and simple
• Use HTTPS (automatic with Tapzy)
• Submit your domain to Google Search Console
• Build backlinks to your custom domain

Managing Multiple Domains

With Tapzy Agency plan, you can connect multiple custom domains:

Use Cases:

• Multiple clients: Each client gets their own branded domain
• Different campaigns: Separate domains for different marketing campaigns
• Multi-page setup: Different domains for different page types
• International presence: Country-specific domains (.co.uk, .de, etc.)

Domain Management:

1. Each page in your Tapzy account can have its own custom domain
2. Manage all domains from Dashboard → Domains
3. Monitor SSL status and renewal dates
4. Update or remove domains anytime

Migrating Existing Domains

Already using your domain elsewhere? Here's how to migrate to Tapzy:

Scenario 1: Domain Points to Another Website

1. Decide if you want to move the entire domain or use a subdomain
2. For subdomains: Create new DNS record (won't affect main website)
3. For root domain: Update A records (will redirect main domain to Tapzy)
4. Consider using a subdomain if you need to keep your main website active

Scenario 2: Domain Points to Another Bio Link Service

1. Export any important data from old service
2. Update DNS records to point to Tapzy
3. Wait for DNS propagation
4. Verify new setup works before canceling old service

Cost Considerations

Domain Registration Costs:

• .com domains: $10-15/year
• .co domains: $20-30/year
• .io domains: $30-40/year
• .me domains: $15-25/year

Tapzy Plan Requirements:

• Free Builder: No custom domain support
• Personal Plan ($8/mo): 1 custom domain included
• Agency Plan ($39/mo): Multiple custom domains

Total Cost Example:

Personal brand using custom domain:

• Domain registration: $12/year
• Tapzy Personal plan: $8/month = $96/year
• Total first year: $180
• Total subsequent years: $180

Next Steps

Once your custom domain is connected and working:

1. Update your social media bios with your new custom domain
2. Create branded QR codes from your Tapzy dashboard
3. Set up analytics tracking in Google Analytics/Search Console
4. Build backlinks to your custom domain for SEO
5. Monitor performance using Tapzy's built-in analytics

Need Help?

If you encounter issues or need assistance:

• Email Support: support@tapzy.co
• Live Chat: Available in your Tapzy dashboard
• Documentation: Browse our full docs at tapzy.co/docs