About the Custom Domain Name Feature
Groupsites offer a Custom Domain Name premium feature included in many of our premium plans, and also in use by customers with grandfathered Groupsite Pro and add-on subscriptions. This handy feature allows you to map any domain name you own to your Groupsite (for instance, replace mydomainname.groupsite.com with mydomainname.com).
- The custom domain name will appear on all non-https pages of your Groupsite. Learn more.
- A custom domain name cannot be used in conjunction with Enhanced Security, the site-wide, 128-bit SSL encryption feature. Learn more.
Before you can map your domain, you must register it through a domain name registrar. You also need to make sure you have a DNS service provider for your domain name, including the ability to set up domain forwarding. These services are also often provided by domain registrars.
Because some providers don't offer the ability to customize your DNS in the way that's required for custom domain mapping to work, we suggest these registrars: GoDaddy, Network Solutions and Register.com.
Once you've registered your domain, subscribe to Groupsite.com's "Custom Domain Name" premium service:
- Sign in to your Groupsite.
- Click on the MANAGER tab and then the "Upgrade Groupsite" subtab.
- Select the premium plan ( large, collaboration or social community) to which you want to subscribe.
- Choose "continue" to make your purchase. Choose monthly or annual payments, and enter a credit card to be charged for the service. Follow all other prompts until you see a yellow alert message confirming your purchase:
If you are in Enterprise plans, or some premium plans of 300+ members, payment is not by credit card and your premium features are enabled during account set-up.
How to Map a Custom Domain Name
These general instructions use mydomainname.com as your custom domain name. Different providers will have different tools for setting up your DNS records.
1. If you haven't done so already, purchase your domain name from a domain registrar, such as: GoDaddy, Network Solutions or Register.com.
If you already own your domain and you've previously changed its nameserver, make sure you change it back to point to your registrar's default nameservers.
2. Through your DNS provider, create a CNAME (alias) record entry for your custom domain name, www.mydomainname.com, being certain to include the host www. The record will need to point to your Groupsite: mydomainname.groupsite.com.
3. Through your DNS service provider, create a redirect to http://www.mydomainname.com. This ensures visitors get to your Groupsite, even if they don't enter www when browsing to your web address. Your provider will need to allow you to set up forwarding to go to http://www.mydomainname.com (with the www).
4. Next, add your custom domain name to your Groupsite.
Log-in to your Groupsite. Go to MANAGER>Group Settings>Domain Name. Scroll down and type in your domain name, including "www" and click "Update."
A system message confirming your request is automatically emailed to all Groupsite Managers and Groupsite.com.
Once we can detect the CNAME record (usually within 24 hours), Groupsite.com can complete your domain name mapping. Please allow two business days for completion of your domain name mapping. Our support staff will let you know once your domain name mapping completely takes effect.
Once completed, anyone accessing your domain name will be directed to your Groupsite.
Have more questions? Visit our Custom Domain Name Q & A. Or, ask us at support@groupsite.com.