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Journey by Forj Support Center

How to Set Up a Custom Domain

Drew Teig
  • Updated

Forj Connect accounts come with a default domain of “subdomain.mobilize.io,” but there’s an exciting opportunity to fully brand the experience by using a custom domain. This guide is designed to help make that transition seamless.


Prerequisites
Before diving in, ensure the following are in place:

  • Account Owner Access: Only the account owner can access the domain settings needed for this setup.
  • DNS Provider Access: Access to the domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Squarespace) where the domain was purchased.
  • Plan Features: Confirm the Forj Connect plan has the custom domain feature active


Choosing a Custom Domain
Select a custom domain to enhance branding. For example, if “exampledomain.com” is owned, there are two main options:

  • Subdomain Mapping: Choose a subdomain like “community.exampledomain.com” or “www.exampledomain.com.” **This is the most common approach**, providing a distinct and professional appearance.
  • Top-Level Domain Mapping: Map the primary domain “exampledomain.com.” Note that this option may not be available with all DNS providers (e.g., GoDaddy & Squarespace do not permit mapping the top-level domain, making a subdomain like "community.exampledomain.com" a practical choice).
  • Important Notes:
    • Avoid using prefixes like groups.exampledomain.com or members.exampledomain.com because custom email domains are also in use, and will affect email deliverability.
    • Use domains with a proper suffix (e.g., .com, .edu & .org) for optimal results.

Connecting CNAME Records
Here’s how to map the custom domain. Example Scenario: Changing the Forj Connect address from “exampledomain.mobilize.io” to “community.exampledomain.com.”

  • In Forj Connect:
    • Navigate to Community Settings > General > and select "Connect your domain"
    • Enter the registered domain and the chosen prefix from the previous step.
    • Click "Save" to view the DNS configuration. Keep this tab open; activation should not be completed yet.

  • Within DNS Provider:
    • Access the DNS settings to add a CNAME record.
    • Create a CNAME record with the NAME field as the VALUE and the ALIAS FOR field as the RECORD.
    • Save the changes.
  • Return to Forj Connect:
    • Click "Activate" on the Custom Domain Settings pop up to complete the setup.

With these steps, the custom domain will be fully integrated, enhancing the branding and user experience.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If removing the custom URL, the domain in Forj Connect needs to be cleared first and then removed from the DNS provider.