# Domain Settings Control how customers access your Powerlily site with custom domain options. Choose between a Powerlily subdomain or use your own custom domain for complete brand control. ## Domain Options Powerlily offers two domain configurations: ### 1. Powerlily Subdomain (Default) Your site is hosted at `yourcompany.powerlily.io` **Format:** `subdomain.powerlily.io` **Example:** `greenenergy.powerlily.io` **Advantages:** - **Instant Setup** - Works immediately, no DNS configuration - **SSL Included** - Automatic HTTPS security - **No Cost** - Included in your subscription - **Easy to Remember** - Simple, clean URL **Best For:** - Getting started quickly - Testing and development - Companies without existing web infrastructure ### 2. Custom Domain Use your own domain like `portal.yourcompany.com` **Format:** `subdomain.yourdomain.com` **Examples:** - `portal.greenenergy.com` - `solar.greenenergy.com` - `quotes.greenenergy.com` - `design.greenenergy.com` **Advantages:** - **Full Branding** - Completely your domain - **Professional** - Reinforces brand identity - **Trust** - Customers see your company domain - **Consistency** - Matches other company systems **Best For:** - Established businesses with websites - Maximum brand consistency - Professional enterprise image ## Setting Your Subdomain ### Powerlily Subdomain 1. Go to **Company Settings** > **Domain** 2. Enter your desired subdomain in the **Subdomain** field 3. Click **Save** **Requirements:** - Lowercase letters (a-z) - Numbers (0-9) - Hyphens (-) - Must be unique across all Powerlily accounts **Examples:** - ✅ `solar-innovations` - ✅ `greenenergy2024` - ✅ `smith-solar` - ❌ `Solar_Innovations` (no underscores) - ❌ `Green Energy` (no spaces) ### Your Subdomain Affects **Quote Links:** - All quote URLs use your domain - Example: `yourcompany.powerlily.io/quotes/proposal-123` **Public Pages:** - Equipment catalog - Knowledge base - Contact form - Client portal **Email Links:** - Links in quote emails - Client invitations - System notifications > **Important:** Changing your subdomain breaks existing links. Only change if necessary. ## Setting Up Custom Domain Use a subdomain of your own domain (e.g., `portal.yourcompany.com`) instead of Powerlily's domain. ### Prerequisites 1. **Own a Domain** - You must own the domain (e.g., yourcompany.com) 2. **DNS Access** - Ability to add DNS records 3. **Subdomain Choice** - Pick a subdomain (portal, solar, quotes, etc.) ### Configuration Steps #### Step 1: Choose Your Subdomain Decide what subdomain to use: - `portal.yourcompany.com` - Most common - `solar.yourcompany.com` - Solar-specific - `quotes.yourcompany.com` - Quote-specific - `design.yourcompany.com` - Design tool focus #### Step 2: Add DNS Records Log into your DNS provider (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.) and add these records: **CNAME Record:** ``` Type: CNAME Name: portal (or your chosen subdomain) Value: [Powerlily will provide this] TTL: 3600 (or default) ``` **Common DNS Providers:** - **Cloudflare** - DNS > Add record > CNAME - **GoDaddy** - Domain settings > DNS Management > Add - **Namecheap** - Advanced DNS > Add New Record - **Google Domains** - DNS > Custom records #### Step 3: Configure in Powerlily 1. Go to **Company Settings** > **Domain** 2. Enter your custom domain in the **Custom Domain** field 3. Format: `subdomain.yourdomain.com` 4. Click **Save** **Requirements:** - Format: `subdomain.apex.tld` - Example: `portal.company.com` - Must include subdomain (not just `company.com`) - Lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens only #### Step 4: Verify & Wait DNS propagation takes time: - **Minimum:** 30 minutes - **Typical:** 2-4 hours - **Maximum:** 48 hours Check status at: `https://dnschecker.org` #### Step 5: SSL Certificate Powerlily automatically provisions SSL certificates: - **Timing:** Within 1 hour of DNS propagation - **Type:** Let's Encrypt SSL - **Renewal:** Automatic - **HTTPS:** Enabled by default ### Troubleshooting Custom Domain **Domain Not Working:** - Verify DNS records are correct - Check DNS propagation status - Ensure using subdomain (not apex domain) - Wait full 48 hours if recently changed **SSL Certificate Issues:** - DNS must be fully propagated first - Certificate provisions automatically - Allow up to 1 hour after DNS works - Contact support if persistent **Old Links Still Work:** - Old Powerlily subdomain links continue working - Customers can use either domain - Both redirect to same content ## Best Practices ### Subdomain Selection **For Powerlily Subdomain:** - Use your company name - Keep it short and memorable - Avoid numbers unless part of brand - Check availability before promoting **For Custom Domain:** - `portal` - Most professional, clear purpose - `solar` - Industry-specific, clear - `quotes` - Descriptive, functional - Avoid: `www`, `app`, `secure` (often reserved) ### Communication **When Changing Domains:** 1. Notify all team members 2. Update marketing materials 3. Update email signatures 4. Update website links 5. Inform active clients **Promote Your Domain:** - Add to business cards - Include in email signatures - Link from main website - Mention in sales calls ### Security **HTTPS Only:** - All traffic encrypted automatically - SSL certificates managed by Powerlily - No action required from you **Domain Privacy:** - Keep DNS credentials secure - Use strong passwords for DNS provider - Enable 2FA on DNS account if available ## Migration Guide ### Changing Subdomains **Before You Change:** - ⚠️ Existing links will break - ⚠️ Update all marketing materials - ⚠️ Notify clients of change **Migration Steps:** 1. Plan transition date 2. Create list of all places domain appears 3. Update domain in Powerlily 4. Update all materials same day 5. Monitor for broken links ### Moving to Custom Domain **Advantage:** Old Powerlily subdomain still works **Steps:** 1. Set up DNS records 2. Add custom domain in Powerlily 3. Wait for propagation 4. Test thoroughly 5. Update materials gradually 6. Old links continue working ### Moving from Custom Domain **Going Back to Powerlily Subdomain:** 1. Remove custom domain from settings 2. Reverts to Powerlily subdomain 3. Custom domain stops working immediately 4. Update all external links ## Technical Details ### DNS Record Format **CNAME Record Structure:** ``` Host/Name: [your-subdomain] Type: CNAME Value/Points to: [provided-by-powerlily] TTL: 3600 ``` ### Supported Configurations **✅ Supported:** - `portal.yourcompany.com` - `sub.domain.yourcompany.com` (nested subdomains) - Any TLD (.com, .io, .net, etc.) **❌ Not Supported:** - `yourcompany.com` (apex domain without subdomain) - `www.yourcompany.com` (use custom subdomain instead) - IP addresses ### SSL/TLS Details **Certificate Type:** Let's Encrypt (Domain Validated) **Encryption:** TLS 1.2 and 1.3 **Renewal:** Automatic every 90 days **Wildcard:** Not required ## FAQ ### Can I use my main domain without a subdomain? No, you must use a subdomain (e.g., `portal.yourcompany.com`). This is for technical and security reasons. ### Will my old links stop working? For **custom domain**: No, your Powerlily subdomain continues working. For **changing subdomain**: Yes, old subdomain links will break. ### How long does setup take? **Powerlily Subdomain:** Instant **Custom Domain:** 2-4 hours (DNS propagation) + 1 hour (SSL) ### Can I change my domain later? **Powerlily Subdomain:** Yes, but breaks existing links **Custom Domain:** Yes, anytime. Old domains can stay configured. ### Do I need to renew SSL certificates? No, SSL certificates renew automatically. You don't need to do anything. ### What if I don't own a domain? Use the Powerlily subdomain. It's professional and included. Consider purchasing a domain if you want maximum branding control. ### Can I use multiple domains? Currently, one domain configuration per account. Contact support for enterprise multi-domain needs. --- **Next:** Learn about [[Quote Customization]] to personalize your proposals.