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What's a Branded Domain?

A branded domain (also called a custom domain) is your own domain name used for creating shortened links, instead of using snipzr.com.

What is a Branded Domain?​

By default, your short links use the Snipzr domain:

https://snipzr.com/your-link

With a custom domain, your links use your brand:

https://go.yourbrand.com/your-link
https://link.yourbrand.com/your-link
https://get.yourbrand.com/your-link

Why Use a Branded Domain?​

Brand Recognition​

Builds trust:

  • ✅ Users see your brand name in the link
  • ✅ Increases click-through rates
  • ✅ Looks professional and legitimate
  • ❌ Generic domains may seem suspicious

Example:

Which link would you trust more?

snipzr.com/abc123          ← Generic
go.apple.com/iphone        ← Branded ✓

Professional Appearance​

Branded links look polished in:

  • 📧 Email signatures
  • 💼 Business cards
  • 📱 Social media bios
  • 📊 Marketing materials
  • 🎤 Presentations

Marketing Benefits​

Better recall:

"Visit go.acme.com/demo for a free trial"

Easier to remember and communicate verbally than:

"Visit snipzr.com slash A-P-3-X-K-9 for a free trial"

Brand consistency:

  • All links reinforce your brand
  • Matches your domain strategy
  • Professional across all channels

Security and Trust​

Users are more likely to click links with:

  • ✅ Recognizable brand domains
  • ✅ Consistent domain patterns
  • ❌ Unknown shortener domains

Example:

✉️ Email from: marketing@yourbrand.com
Link: go.yourbrand.com/offer    ← Trustworthy

Link: shorten.er/xyz123              ← Might be phishing?

Analytics and Control​

Full ownership:

  • You control the domain
  • Complete analytics access
  • No dependency on third-party domains
  • Future-proof your links

Types of Branded Domains​

Subdomain Approach​

Use a subdomain of your main domain:

Main site: yourbrand.com
Link domain: go.yourbrand.com

Popular subdomain choices:

  • go.yourbrand.com
  • link.yourbrand.com
  • get.yourbrand.com
  • try.yourbrand.com
  • short.yourbrand.com

Benefits:

  • ✅ No new domain to purchase
  • ✅ Inherits main domain authority
  • ✅ Easy to set up
  • ✅ Matches your brand perfectly

Separate Domain​

Purchase a new, short domain specifically for links:

Main site: yourcompany.com
Link domain: yrc.io

Benefits:

  • ✅ Very short links
  • ✅ Memorable and catchy
  • ✅ Separate branding opportunity
  • ✅ Easier to type

Examples:

  • amzn.to (Amazon)
  • bit.ly (Bitly)
  • t.co (Twitter)
  • youtu.be (YouTube)

How Branded Domains Work​

DNS Configuration​

1. You own: yourbrand.com
2. Create subdomain: go.yourbrand.com
3. Point DNS to Snipzr servers
4. Snipzr handles redirects
5. Links work: go.yourbrand.com/link

SSL/HTTPS​

All branded domains include:

  • 🔒 SSL certificates
  • 🔒 Secure redirects
  • 🔒 Link scanning for security

Setting Up a Branded Domain​

Requirements​

What you need:

  • ✅ Professional Snipzr plan
  • ✅ Domain ownership (or ability to modify DNS)
  • ✅ Access to DNS settings
  • ✅ 5 minutes to 24 hours for DNS propagation

Setup Process Overview​

  1. Choose your domain/subdomain
  2. Add domain in Snipzr "Zones" dashboard
  3. Configure DNS records
  4. Wait for domain ownership verification
  5. Wait for SSL provisioning
  6. Start creating branded links!

Detailed setup instructions: How to Purchase a Domain

Real-World Examples​

E-commerce​

Main: shopexample.com
Links: shop.example.com/sale
       shop.example.com/new
       shop.example.com/deals

SaaS Product​

Main: myproduct.com
Links: try.myproduct.com/demo
       try.myproduct.com/signup
       try.myproduct.com/pricing

Media Company​

Main: newssite.com  
Links: read.newssite.com/story
       read.newssite.com/breaking
       read.newssite.com/opinion

Educational​

Main: university.edu
Links: learn.university.edu/course
       apply.university.edu/now
       visit.university.edu/campus

Best Practices​

Domain Selection​

For subdomains:

✅ Good choices:
- go.yourbrand.com (most popular)
- get.yourbrand.com
- link.yourbrand.com
- visit.yourbrand.com

❌ Avoid:
- links.yourbrand.com (might confuse with "links" page)
- url.yourbrand.com (too technical)
- redirect.yourbrand.com (too long)

For short domains:

✅ Good choices:
- 4-6 characters
- Easy to spell
- Pronounceable
- Brandable

❌ Avoid:
- Look-alike characters (0 vs O, 1 vs l)
- Hard to pronounce combinations
- Trademarked terms

Consistency​

Use patterns:

Marketing: go.brand.com/[campaign]
Support: help.brand.com/[topic]
Resources: get.brand.com/[resource]

Communication​

Make it easy to remember:

"Visit go dot yourbrand dot com slash demo"

Better than:

"Visit snipzr dot com slash X-Z-9-K-2-M"

Cost Considerations​

Cost:

  • ✅ Free if you own the main domain
  • ✅ Only need Professional Snipzr plan
  • ✅ No renewal fees for subdomain itself

Total cost:

  • Professional plan: $X/month
  • Main domain: Already owned
  • Subdomain: Free

New Short Domain​

Cost:

  • 💰 Domain registration: ~$10-50/year
  • 💰 Domain renewal: Annual
  • 💰 Professional plan: $X/month
  • 💰 Premium domains: Can be expensive

Consider:

  • Domain availability
  • Annual renewal cost

Limitations and Considerations​

DNS Propagation​

  • Takes 5 minutes - 24 hours for global DNS updates
  • May work for you before others
  • Plan ahead for launch campaigns

When you add a branded domain:

  • Old snipzr.com links still work
  • New links can use branded domain
  • Can't retroactively change domain of existing links
  • May want to create duplicates with branded domain

Domain Authority​

Initial period:

  • New domains start with no authority
  • Takes time to build reputation
  • Email filters may be cautious initially
  • Social platforms need to recognize domain

Solution:

  • Give it time
  • Use consistently
  • Build reputation naturally

Troubleshooting​

Domain Not Working​

Problem: Branded links don't redirect

Check:

  • DNS records configured correctly
  • Propagation complete (give it up to 48 hours)
  • Domain verified in dashboard
  • SSL certificate provisioned

Solution:

  • Verify DNS with online tools
  • Wait full 48 hours
  • Check Snipzr status page
  • Contact support with domain details

SSL Certificate Issues​

Problem: Browser shows "Not Secure"

Causes:

  • SSL not yet provisioned
  • DNS not fully propagated
  • Recent DNS changes

Solution:

  • Wait 24-48 hours after DNS setup
  • Clear browser cache
  • Try incognito/private mode
  • Contact support if persists

Comparison Chart​

FeatureSnipzr DomainBranded Domain
CostIncludedBasic/Pro plan required
SetupInstant24-48 hours
Brand visibilityLowHigh
Trust levelMediumHigh
MemorabilityLowHigh
Professional appearanceGoodExcellent
Click-through rateStandard+30-40% higher

Next Steps​

Ready to set up your branded domain?

  1. Upgrade to Professional plan
  2. Learn domain basics
  3. Follow setup guide
  4. Create your first branded link

Make your links unmistakably yours!