What is a Custom Domain?
Your own web domain used in place of a generic one, often for branded short links.
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Quick Answer
A custom domain is a domain that you own and use for your own purposes, like yourbrand.com or link.yourbrand.com. In the context of URL shorteners, a custom domain replaces the shortener’s generic domain so your short links carry your brand instead of the shortener’s name.
Full Definition
A custom domain is any domain registered by a business or individual for their own use. The domain might be a primary brand domain (yourbrand.com), a subdomain of one (link.yourbrand.com or go.yourbrand.com), or a separate short domain registered specifically for shortened links (yourbrnd.co).
To use a custom domain with a URL shortener, you point the domain’s DNS records at the shortener’s servers, then verify the domain in the shortener’s dashboard. Once verified, the shortener generates short links on that domain instead of its default one.
Why It Matters
A short link on a custom domain looks completely different from a short link on a generic shortener. Where a generic link might look anonymous and unknown, a branded link visibly belongs to a business, which signals trust and intentionality. Click-through rates on branded links are consistently higher than on generic ones.
Custom domains also let businesses operate multiple brands or run client services. An agency managing several clients can use a separate custom domain for each client, so client-facing links never mix brands.
How ShortifyMe Handles It
ShortifyMe supports custom domains on every paid plan. Starter at $7.99/month includes 1 custom domain, Basic at $19.99/month includes 3, and Premium at $49.99/month includes 10. To add a domain, you enter it in the Custom Domain section of your dashboard, add the DNS records shown to your domain provider, and click Verify. Once verified, the domain appears in the domain dropdown when you create new short links.
Related Terms
Branded Short Link
A short link built on your own domain so every link reinforces your brand.
Vanity URL
A short, easy-to-remember URL chosen for branding rather than auto-generated.
URL Shortener
A tool that turns a long web address into a clean, short, shareable link.
Subdomain
A prefix added to your main domain (like link.yourbrand.com) that creates a separate web address using the same domain registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. URL shorteners work fine on their default domains. A custom domain is for businesses that want to brand their links.
Yes. Many businesses use a short subdomain (link.yourbrand.com or go.yourbrand.com) for short links, keeping their main domain separate.
Short links published on that domain stop working until you set up a redirect at your domain provider. If you have printed materials with those links, plan carefully before removing the domain.
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