Customize the Domain and Sub-Domains

In this article, we'll establish how you can create a fully custom domain. This is beneficial for marketing purposes. 

Please note that the leadPops Support team will do this for you! Email support@leadpops.com with the domain name information as well as the exact form you would like it changes to and we'll complete this free of charge.

For example: let's say I'm doing some print marketing or a radio advertisement, and I want to send my prospects directly to a leadPops form. It makes a lot more sense to send someone to "www.iApproveSD.com" over "i-approve-SD.secure-clix.com." While the latter works great in digital campaigns - a user simply needs to click the link - it's not nearly as memorable or as easy for a user to physically type into their browser if they hear or see the url.

Let's get to it and start with the basics.

Which URL do I use?

To start, think about the URL you'd like to use for your form. It could be a fully custom domain, or it could be a subdomain of your primary website. For example, if our website was "leadpops.com," we might want to use a subdomain like "refinance.leadpops.com" for our refinance form. 

For more information on domains, subdomains, and how to purchase them, check out our guide here. 

Setting up your custom form domain or subdomain

1. Log in to your Domain Registrar and access your DNS Settings

This depends on your domain registrar, and we like to use GoDaddy as an example because it's a great service for most of our clients. If you're using GoDaddy, we recommend checking out their full guide here.  But typically, finding your DNS settings should look something like this:

2a. Option for Domain: point the A Record to 184.106.100.178

You can think of each "record" as a rule. This rule is what will tell your domain what to do. 

There are probably a bunch of records in your account. Look for either the domain or the @ symbol under "Name" or "host." For reference, the @ symbol signifies "at itself." 

Each record typically has four components. Make sure that the four components are the following:

• Type = A Record 
• Name or Host = this is where your domain should be. 
• Value or Points To = 184.106.100.178
• TTL (Time To Live) = whatever the default is in your account. Typically its listed as 1 hour in GoDaddy. Many other companies use 14400, meaning 14400 seconds or 4 hours.  

2b. Option for Subdomain: point the A Record to 184.106.100.178

You can think of each "record" as a rule. This rule is what will tell your subdomain what to do. 

In this case, you'll need to "Add A New Record" to create a new subdomain. Typically this process is free.

Once you add a new record, you'll want to make sure the components are the following:

• Type = A Record 
• Name or Host = this is where your subdomain should be. For example, if you want the form to be refinance.leadPops.com, this field should simply say "refinance". 
• Value or Points To = 184.106.100.178
• TTL (Time To Live) = whatever the default is in your account. Typically its listed as 1 hour in GoDaddy. Many other companies use 14400, meaning 14400 seconds or 4 hours.  

3. Check your work

You can use third party services such as https://www.whatsmydns.net/ or https://mxtoolbox.com/DNSLookup.aspx. Paste your domain into the blank field.  If all goes well, you should get a green check mark and our IP address 184.106.100.178 will populate.

4. Log in to your leadPops Admin Panel 

Click on your form > Edit > Domains

5. Add your custom domain

Select "Domain type: domain" > Add your own domain name > enter the URL into the box > Save

Congrats! Your form should now be live on your custom domain.  

5. Add SSL

By default, when a custom domain or subdomain is added to an individual form, it is not SSL secure. SSL security refers to the "https" at the beginning of your URL, instead of "http"

Consumers will reward you with their trust by submitting their info at a higher rate because you’ve taken the extra measure to safeguard their information with an added level of landing page security.

Adding SSL is a one-time setup of $97 per form. Contact support@leadPops.com if you'd like to have this added and our team will take care of it in 2-3 business days.

Now you'll be learning how to customize the sub-domain on your form.

We typically recommend one of two options:

• Customize the sub-domain to match the traffic source / ad
  
  For example, if you’re sending out an email blast to your potential home buyers about a down payment assistance program, customize the sub-domain to say something like:
  
  https://down-payment-eligibility-check.secure-clix.com
  
  
• Customize the sub-domain so it's relevant to your marketing partners
  
  For example, if it’s a real estate agent you’re partnering with, let’s say it’s KW Elite Partners, set it up to be:
  
  https://kw-elite-partners-xyz-mortgage.secure-clix.com

Let's begin! Watch the video, or follow along with the instructions below:

1) Log into your leadPops account here -- app.leadpops.com

2) Below the Select the Funnel that you want to edit (i.e. 203k Home Finder)

3) Click on the Edit link on your form to show more options and select Domains

4) On the Domains page, click into the Sub-domain Name field. Next, type in your new sub-domain. It might be a good idea to add your partner's name (if it's a co-branded form) and/or campaign information (e.g. Newsletter, Facebook, etc.) into this field for tracking purposes. Refer to the beginning of this article to see examples.

5) Click the Save button to save your changes

6) Nice work! You just learned how to edit the subdomain on your leadPops form.