# Custom domains

Your platform provides hosted web experiences, right out-of-the-box, for certain features like Story Explorer. These experiences live on a domain that looks like **`yourpropertyname.stories.travel`**.

If you'd prefer to blend these platform experiences into your own website, you can do this by setting up **a custom domain** in just a few steps.

## Before you begin

A custom domain serves platform experiences using your domain, providing a cohesive brand experience and the best search engine optimization (SEO).

{% hint style="info" %}
**A common approach is to create a subdomain.**

For example: for the primary domain *yourproperty.com*, create a subdomain like *stories.yourproperty.com* to serve Flip.to experiences. Any subdomain name can be used.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
There are two requirements:

1. **The custom domain must be configured on a domain that you own and maintain.** Below, see how to point the domain to Flip.to's servers by creating a CNAME record in the domain registrar’s DNS records.
2. **This custom domain must be dedicated to Flip.to.** Since pointing to Flip.to, no other content will be served through the subdomain.\
   \&#xNAN;*(Also since using a subdomain, only this subdomain must be dedicated to Flip.to, and the primary domain and all other subdomains are not affected.)*
   {% endhint %}

## Set up a custom domain

There are two steps to set up a custom domain. First, a CNAME record must be configured with your domain registrar to point to Flip.to’s servers. Second, your custom domain must be added to your Flip.to account.

### Step 1: Head over to your domain registrar to add a CNAME

Add a CNAME record in your domain registrar’s DNS records.

* **Name** will be your custom domain, such as **`stories.yourwebsite.com`**
* **Value** (sometimes called points-to, not redirect) will be **`hub.flip.to`**

{% hint style="info" %}
Your domain registrar might be your website hosting provider, or a domain registration company such as Network Solutions, Cloudflare, or GoDaddy.\
\
Optionally, if your provider supports it, you can set up a http proxy as well. A proxy allows you to secure your custom domain with your own SSL certificate. Follow your registrar’s instructions to add a cname record.
{% endhint %}

### Step 2: Sign in to your Flip.to account to set up your domain

#### Adding a domain

In your account, go to **Platform → Domains** and add a domain. Type the custom domain name exactly as it was configured in your CNAME record, and save.

The platform checks that the custom domain is properly pointing to Flip.to’s servers. If configured correctly the custom domain will be turned on and is ready-to-go.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If the custom domain is not connecting to Flip.to’s servers, the record will be saved, but will remain switched off. Check the configuration with your registrar. It can take up to 24 hours for DNS changes made with the registrar to propagate.
{% endhint %}

#### Testing the server connection

On the platform, you can test, or re-test, to check the connection at any time.

#### Mapping properties to the custom domain

Your custom domain will include all properties associated with your account automatically.

Alternatively, you can assign specific properties to a custom domain. Here are examples of different ways it can be configured:

* Each property can have its own custom domain
* Groups of properties can be organized into a shared domain
* A single property can be associated with more than one domain

{% hint style="info" %}
If you need help setting up your account, reach out to [Customer Success](/docs/support/customer-success.md) and we'll be happy to get you up and running.
{% endhint %}

## 🎉 Explore your new custom domain!

Once your custom domain is set up, visit the URL you created and explore your platform experiences right from your own website.\
\
\ <br>


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