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Setting Up Your Custom Domain

This guide shows you exactly how to set up a custom domain so your users see your brand instead of Nudj’s. For example, instead of yourcompany.nudj.cx, your users will visit community.yourcompany.com.
Time to Complete: 30-60 minutes total (including waiting for DNS to update) Technical Level: Basic - no coding required Support: We’re here to help at [email protected]

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What You’ll Need Before Starting

Before you begin, make sure you have:

A Domain Name

You need to own a domain (like yourcompany.com). If you don’t have one, you can buy one from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.

DNS Access

You need login credentials for wherever you manage your domain’s DNS settings (usually the same place you bought the domain).

Subdomain Decision

Decide what subdomain you want to use. Popular choices: community, engage, rewards, app.

15 Minutes

Time to follow the steps and configure DNS. Most of the 30-60 minutes is just waiting for DNS to update.
First time doing this? Don’t worry - this guide assumes no technical knowledge. We’ll walk you through each step with screenshots and examples.

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Why Use a Custom Domain?

Brand Ownership

Users see your domain, not Nudj’s. Builds trust and feels like your platform.

SEO Benefits

Search engines credit your domain for the content and engagement.

Email Alignment

Can match your organization’s email domain for consistency.

Professional Appearance

Full control over how your platform looks to the outside world.

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How It Works: The 3-Step Process

Here’s what you’ll do (Step 1), what happens automatically (Step 2), and when to contact us (Step 3):
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Step 1: Add DNS Record (You do this - 5 minutes)

You’ll add a CNAME record at your domain provider. This tells the internet that your custom domain points to Nudj’s servers.What you’ll enter:
  • Type: Choose CNAME from the dropdown
  • Name/Host: Your subdomain only (examples: community, engage, rewards)
  • Value/Points to: cname.vercel-dns.com (copy this exactly)
  • TTL: Leave as default or choose 3600
Example: If your domain is yourcompany.com and you want users to visit community.yourcompany.com:
  • Name/Host: community
  • Value: cname.vercel-dns.com
Different providers use slightly different labels:
  • Name might be called: Host, Hostname, or Alias
  • Value might be called: Points to, Target, or Destination
  • TTL might be automatic or hidden
Don’t worry - as long as you select CNAME and enter the subdomain and cname.vercel-dns.com, you’re good!
See detailed instructions below for:
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Step 2: Wait for DNS to Update (Automatic - 5-30 minutes)

After you save the DNS record, it needs time to spread across the internet. This is called “DNS propagation” and happens automatically.How long to wait:
  • Usually ready in 5-30 minutes
  • Sometimes takes up to 2 hours
  • Very rarely can take up to 24 hours
How to check if it’s ready:Go to https://dnschecker.org and enter your full domain (e.g., community.yourcompany.com). If you see cname.vercel-dns.com showing up in the results, you’re ready for Step 3!
Pro tip: Make a cup of coffee or take a break. Most DNS updates complete within 10-15 minutes. No need to constantly refresh - it won’t make it go faster!
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Step 3: Email Us to Activate (You do this - 2 minutes)

Once DNS is updated, send us an email so we can activate your domain.Email template (copy and paste):
To: [email protected]
Subject: Custom Domain Setup - [YourDomain.com]

Hi Nudj Team,

I've configured the DNS for my custom domain and it's ready to activate.

Domain: community.yourcompany.com
Organization: [Your Organization Name]

The DNS is showing cname.vercel-dns.com when I check it.

Please activate when ready. Thank you!
What happens next:
  • We’ll verify your DNS is configured correctly
  • We’ll activate your domain (usually within 1 business hour)
  • We’ll email you back when it’s live
  • Your users can then access your platform at your custom domain
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST. If you email outside business hours, we’ll activate first thing the next business day.
Important: Your custom domain won’t work until we activate it (Step 3). The DNS configuration alone isn’t enough - you must email us to complete the setup.

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Domain Architecture

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System Domains (Protected)

Nudj automatically provisions system domains that cannot be removed. These serve as your permanent access points:

API Domain

api.{subdomain}.nudj.cx Used for all programmatic access and integrations.

User Domain

{subdomain}.nudj.cx Default end-user access. Serves as a fallback if your custom domain fails.

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DNS: The Technical Part

When you add a domain, you’ll get specific DNS instructions.
Record TypeUsageRecommended?
CNAMESubdomains (e.g., community.brand.com)✅ Yes
A RecordRoot domains (e.g., brand.com)⚠️ Only if required
CNAME Record (Most Common)
  • Used for subdomains like community.yourcompany.com
  • You point your domain to our servers using a CNAME value
  • Example: community.yourcompany.com → cname.vercel-dns.com
  • Easy to set up, easy to revert
A Record (For Root Domains)
  • Used when you want the bare domain like yourcompany.com (no subdomain)
  • Points directly to our IP address
  • We’ll provide the exact IP you need
  • Less common but fully supported

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Detailed Setup Instructions by Provider

Choose your domain provider below for step-by-step instructions with screenshots:

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GoDaddy Step-by-Step

Step 1: Log in to GoDaddy
  • Go to godaddy.com
  • Click “Sign In” in the top right
  • Enter your username and password
Step 2: Access Domain Settings
  • After logging in, hover over your name in the top right and click “My Products”
  • Scroll down to the “Domains” section
  • Find your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com)
  • Click the “DNS” button next to your domain (it might say “Manage DNS”)
Step 3: Add the CNAME Record
  • Scroll down to find the “Records” section
  • Click the “Add” button
  • A popup will appear with these fields:
    • Type: Select “CNAME” from the dropdown
    • Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., community)
    • Value: Enter cname.vercel-dns.com
    • TTL: Leave as default (600 seconds is fine) or select “1 Hour”
  • Click “Save” button
Step 4: Confirm It’s Saved
  • You should now see your new CNAME record in the list
  • It will show: community points to cname.vercel-dns.com
  • That’s it! Now wait 5-30 minutes and move to Step 2 above
Common GoDaddy Issue: If you see @ in the Name field, that’s for the root domain. Make sure you enter your subdomain (like community) instead.

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Cloudflare Step-by-Step

Step 1: Log in to Cloudflare
  • Go to dash.cloudflare.com
  • Enter your email and password
  • If you have multiple domains, select the one you want to use
Step 2: Go to DNS Settings
  • Click on “DNS” in the left sidebar menu
  • You’ll see “DNS management for yourcompany.com”
  • Click “Add record” button
Step 3: Add the CNAME Record
  • A form will appear with these fields:
    • Type: Select “CNAME” from the dropdown
    • Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., community)
    • Target: Enter cname.vercel-dns.com
    • Proxy status: Click the cloud icon to make it gray (DNS only)
    • TTL: Select “Auto”
  • Click “Save” button
Step 4: IMPORTANT - Turn OFF the Proxy
  • Look at your new CNAME record in the list
  • You’ll see a cloud icon - make sure it’s GRAY not orange
  • If it’s orange, click it to turn it gray
  • Gray cloud = “DNS only” which is what we need
Critical: The cloud icon MUST be gray (DNS only). An orange cloud (proxied) will prevent your domain from working with Nudj.
Step 5: Confirm It’s Saved
  • Your record should now show in the list with a gray cloud
  • That’s it! Now wait 5-30 minutes and move to Step 2 above

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Namecheap Step-by-Step

Step 1: Log in to Namecheap
  • Go to namecheap.com
  • Click “Sign In” in the top right
  • Enter your username and password
Step 2: Access Domain Settings
  • After logging in, hover over “Account” in the top right
  • Click “Domain List”
  • Find your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com)
  • Click the “Manage” button next to it
Step 3: Go to Advanced DNS
  • On the domain management page, click the “Advanced DNS” tab
  • You’ll see “HOST RECORDS” section
Step 4: Add the CNAME Record
  • Click “Add New Record” button
  • A new row will appear with these fields:
    • Type: Select “CNAME Record” from the dropdown
    • Host: Enter your subdomain (e.g., community)
    • Value: Enter cname.vercel-dns.com
    • TTL: Select “Automatic”
  • Click the green checkmark (✓) to save
Step 5: Confirm It’s Saved
  • Your new CNAME record should now appear in the list
  • It will show: community.yourcompany.com points to cname.vercel-dns.com
  • That’s it! Now wait 5-30 minutes and move to Step 2 above
Namecheap Note: Don’t include the full domain in the Host field. If your full domain is community.yourcompany.com, just enter community.

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Google Domains Step-by-Step

Step 1: Log in to Google Domains
  • Go to domains.google.com
  • Sign in with your Google account
  • Click on your domain (e.g., yourcompany.com)
Step 2: Access DNS Settings
  • Click on “DNS” in the left menu
  • Scroll down to “Custom resource records”
Step 3: Add the CNAME Record
  • In the Custom resource records section, you’ll see fields:
    • Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., community)
    • Type: Select “CNAME” from the dropdown
    • TTL: Leave as default (1H is fine)
    • Data: Enter cname.vercel-dns.com
  • Click “Add” button
Step 4: Confirm It’s Saved
  • Your new CNAME record should appear in the list above
  • It will show: community CNAME cname.vercel-dns.com
  • That’s it! Now wait 5-30 minutes and move to Step 2 above

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Other DNS Providers

If your domain is with a different provider (like AWS Route 53, Squarespace, Wix, etc.), the process is similar:General Steps:
  1. Log in to wherever you manage your domain
  2. Find “DNS Settings”, “DNS Management”, or “Name Servers”
  3. Look for “Add Record” or “Manage Records”
  4. Create a new CNAME record with:
    • Name/Host: Your subdomain (e.g., community)
    • Type: CNAME
    • Value/Target: cname.vercel-dns.com
    • TTL: Default or 3600
Need help? Email us at [email protected] with the name of your DNS provider and we’ll send you specific instructions.

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Multiple Domains

You can add as many custom domains as you want:
  • Main domain: community.yourcompany.com (your primary entry point)
  • Regional domains: eu.yourcompany.com, apac.yourcompany.com
  • Campaign domains: summer2025.yourcompany.com (limited-time events)
Each domain works independently. If one goes down, the others stay live. Good for resilience.

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SSL/TLS: Automatic & Always On

Your custom domains are automatically protected with SSL/TLS certificates. You don’t need to do anything:
  • 🔒 HTTPS is always enabled
  • 🔄 Certificates auto-renew before expiry
  • 🛡️ All user data is encrypted in transit
  • ✅ Search engines prefer HTTPS sites
It just works.

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Managing Your Custom Domain

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The Setup Process

  1. Choose your subdomain (e.g., community.yourcompany.com)
  2. Configure DNS at your domain provider (see provider guides above)
  3. Verify DNS using nslookup or similar tool
  4. Contact Nudj support at [email protected] with:
    • Your full domain name
    • Confirmation that DNS is configured
    • Any special requirements

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After Activation

Once Nudj support activates your domain:
  • HTTPS is automatically enabled with SSL certificate
  • Users can access your platform at your custom domain
  • Your original yourorg.nudj.cx domain continues to work as a fallback

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Removing a Domain

If you need to remove a custom domain:
  • Contact [email protected] to request removal
  • Important: Users accessing that domain will see a “not found” error after removal
  • Communicate changes to your users before removing domains

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Common Questions & Troubleshooting

This is totally normal! DNS changes take time to spread across the internet.What to do:
  1. Wait 10-15 minutes after saving your DNS record
  2. Check if DNS is ready using dnschecker.org
  3. If you see cname.vercel-dns.com showing up, you’re ready to email us (Step 3)
  4. If after 2 hours it’s still not showing, double-check your DNS settings
Most common mistakes:
  • Forgetting to click “Save” after adding the record
  • Entering the full domain (community.yourcompany.com) instead of just the subdomain (community)
  • Typo in cname.vercel-dns.com (like cname.vercel.com without the -dns)
Easy way (no technical knowledge needed):
  1. Go to dnschecker.org
  2. Enter your full custom domain (e.g., community.yourcompany.com)
  3. Select “CNAME” from the dropdown
  4. Click “Search”
  5. Look at the results - if you see cname.vercel-dns.com, you’re ready!
What you’re looking for:
  • ✅ Green checkmarks next to cname.vercel-dns.com = Ready to go!
  • ❌ Red X’s or different values = DNS not updated yet, wait longer
If it’s been over 2 hours and still showing red:
  • Go back to your DNS provider and verify you saved the record
  • Check for typos in cname.vercel-dns.com
  • Email us and we’ll help: [email protected]
Don’t worry - this is part of the process!Here’s our typical timeline:
  • During business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST): Usually activated within 1 hour
  • Outside business hours: Activated first thing the next business day
  • Weekends: Activated Monday morning
What we’re doing on our end:
  1. Verifying your DNS is configured correctly
  2. Activating your domain in our system
  3. Setting up SSL certificates (this happens automatically)
  4. Testing that everything works
You’ll know it’s done when:
  • You receive an email from us saying it’s activated
  • You can visit your custom domain and see your platform
  • You’ll see the secure padlock icon (HTTPS is automatic)
Different providers use different labels for the same fields. Here’s a translation guide:“Name” field might be called:
  • Host
  • Hostname
  • Alias
  • Subdomain
“Value” field might be called:
  • Points to
  • Target
  • Destination
  • Content
What you’re entering is always the same:
  • Name/Host = Your subdomain only (like community)
  • Value/Target = cname.vercel-dns.com
If you’re still stuck, email us at [email protected] with a screenshot of what you’re seeing and we’ll guide you through it.
Yes, but we recommend against it. Here’s why:Recommended: community.yourcompany.com (subdomain)
  • ✅ Easier to set up (CNAME record)
  • ✅ More flexible if you want to move hosts later
  • ✅ Faster DNS updates
  • ✅ Better for having multiple services
Not recommended: yourcompany.com (root/apex domain)
  • ❌ Requires A record with specific IP address
  • ❌ Harder to change if our infrastructure changes
  • ❌ Slower DNS updates
  • ❌ Locks your root domain to one service
If you must use the root domain: Contact us at [email protected] and we’ll provide the A record details and help you set it up.
No, your email will keep working fine.DNS records are independent:
  • Your custom domain uses a CNAME record we’re adding
  • Your email uses MX records that already exist
  • They don’t interfere with each other
Example:
  • community.yourcompany.com → Your Nudj platform
  • [email protected] → Your email (still works)
The only time there’s a conflict is if you try to use your exact root domain (yourcompany.com) for both Nudj and email, which is why we recommend using a subdomain instead.
No, and here’s why that’s actually a good thing:Your yourorg.nudj.cx domain is permanent and cannot be removed. It serves as:
  • ✅ A fallback if something goes wrong with your custom domain
  • ✅ A way for our team to access and help you
  • ✅ An admin access point that always works
What users will see:
  • They can access your platform at BOTH domains
  • You can give them your custom domain
  • The default domain still works but you don’t have to advertise it
Think of it as a safety net - it’s always there if you need it.
No problem, but be aware of the impact:To change your domain:
  1. Configure DNS for the new domain (follow this guide again)
  2. Email us at [email protected] with the new domain
  3. We’ll activate the new one and can remove the old one
Important impact:
  • ⚠️ Old bookmarks will break - users need the new URL
  • ⚠️ Old links you shared will stop working
  • ⚠️ Users will need to be told about the new domain
Best practice: Choose your custom domain carefully at the start. Changing it later causes confusion for your users.
Nope! It’s completely automatic.Once we activate your domain:
  • ✅ SSL certificate is generated automatically
  • ✅ HTTPS works immediately (you’ll see the padlock)
  • ✅ Certificate auto-renews before it expires
  • ✅ Both HTTP and HTTPS work (we redirect HTTP to HTTPS)
You don’t need to:
  • Buy an SSL certificate
  • Install anything
  • Renew anything manually
  • Configure anything
It just works automatically.

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Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help! Setting up a custom domain is usually straightforward, but every setup is a little different.

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When to Email Us

You should email us when:
  • ✅ You’ve completed Steps 1 & 2 and DNS shows cname.vercel-dns.com
  • ✅ You’re stuck and need help with your specific DNS provider
  • ✅ It’s been over 2 hours and DNS still isn’t updating
  • ✅ You have a unique situation (like using a root domain)
  • ✅ You want us to double-check your setup before going live

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How to Reach Us

Email: [email protected] For fastest help, include:
  1. Your full custom domain (e.g., community.yourcompany.com)
  2. Your organization name in Nudj
  3. What DNS provider you’re using (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.)
  4. Where you’re stuck or what error you’re seeing
  5. Screenshot if it helps explain the issue
Response time:
  • Business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST): Usually within 1 hour
  • Outside business hours: First thing next business day

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What Happens After Activation

Once we activate your domain, here’s what you get:

Automatic HTTPS

Your custom domain automatically gets an SSL certificate. The padlock icon appears instantly.

Both Domains Work

Your custom domain AND your original yourorg.nudj.cx domain both work.

Instant Updates

Any platform updates you make appear immediately on your custom domain.

Full Branding

Users only see your domain and brand - no mention of Nudj anywhere.

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Quick Checklist

Before you start, make sure you have:
  • Decided on your subdomain (e.g., community, engage, rewards)
  • Login credentials for your DNS provider
  • 15 minutes to follow the steps
  • 30-60 minutes total for DNS to update
After you finish:
Planning ahead? Set up your custom domain before you launch to your users. That way, they only ever know your custom domain and you never have to migrate or update links.
Ready to start? Scroll back up to Step 1 and let’s get your custom domain set up!