Domain Settings

A custom domain lets you use your own web address for Launchpad features like booking pages. Instead of yourcompany.launchpad.net.au, customers see book.yourcompany.com.au — reinforcing your brand at every touchpoint.

What is a custom domain?

A domain is the address people type to visit your website. A custom domain for Launchpad means:

Your booking pages use your domain
Customer portal appears on your domain
Shared links show your brand
Marketing materials have a consistent URL

Benefits of a custom domain

Brand consistency

Customers stay within your brand experience from start to finish.

Professionalism

A custom domain looks more established and trustworthy.

Marketing friendly

Shorter, branded URLs work better in marketing materials.

Search engine benefits

Custom domains can support your SEO efforts.

Before you start

You'll need:

A domain name you own (or plan to purchase)
Access to DNS settings for that domain
Admin access to Launchpad
Patience — DNS changes can take up to 48 hours

Domain options

Subdomain (recommended)

Use a subdomain of your existing domain:

book.yourcompany.com.au
reservations.yourcompany.com.au
tours.yourcompany.com.au

This is easiest because you already own the main domain.

Separate domain

bookyourtour.com.au
yourcompanybookings.com.au

This option requires purchasing a new domain.

Setting up a custom domain

Step 1: Decide on your domain

Choose what address you want:

Subdomain of existing site: book.yourcompany.com.au
New domain: yourcompanybookings.com.au

Step 2: Configure in Launchpad

Go to Settings
Find Domain or Custom Domain settings
Enter your chosen domain
Click Verify or Get DNS Records
Note the DNS records Launchpad provides

Step 3: Update DNS settings

Add the records Launchpad gave you to your domain's DNS:

For a subdomain (CNAME record):

Type	Name	Value
CNAME	book	launchpad-custom.net.au

For a root domain (A record):

Type	Name	Value
A	@	[IP address from Launchpad]

Step 4: Verify the connection

Return to Launchpad domain settings
Click Verify Domain
Wait for verification (can take a few minutes to 48 hours)
Status changes to "Verified" when complete

Step 5: Enable SSL

Launchpad automatically provides SSL (HTTPS) for your custom domain:

SSL provisioning starts after verification
Takes a few minutes
Status shows "SSL Active" when complete
Your domain now works with https://

Accessing DNS settings

Common domain registrars

GoDaddy:

Sign in to your account
Go to My Products > Domains
Click DNS next to your domain

Crazy Domains:

Sign in and go to your domains
Click Manage DNS
Add the required records

VentraIP:

Log into cPanel
Go to Zone Editor
Add the records

Cloudflare:

Sign in to your dashboard
Select your domain
Go to DNS settings
Add the records

If you're not sure

Contact your domain registrar's support for help adding DNS records.

DNS record details

CNAME records

For subdomains like book.yourcompany.com.au:

Type: CNAME
Name/Host: The subdomain part (e.g., book)
Value/Points to: The address Launchpad provides
TTL: 3600 (or leave default)

A records

For root domains:

Type: A
Name/Host: @ or leave blank
Value/Points to: The IP address Launchpad provides
TTL: 3600 (or leave default)

TXT records for verification

Sometimes required to prove domain ownership:

Type: TXT
Name/Host: As specified by Launchpad
Value: The verification code provided
TTL: 3600

SSL certificates

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your website and visitors. It:

Shows a padlock in the browser
Changes http:// to https://
Protects customer information
Is required for secure payments

Automatic SSL

Launchpad automatically provides free SSL certificates for custom domains:

Domain verification completes
SSL certificate is provisioned (automatic)
Certificate renews automatically

SSL issues

If SSL isn't working:

Check domain verification is complete
Wait up to 24 hours for provisioning
Clear your browser cache
Contact support if issues persist

Testing your custom domain

After setup:

Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
Try visiting your custom domain
Check that pages load correctly
Verify SSL is active (https://)
Test booking flow end-to-end

Updating a custom domain

Changing to a different domain

Go to domain settings
Enter the new domain
Update DNS records for the new domain
Verify the new domain
The old domain stops working

Removing a custom domain

Go to domain settings
Click Remove or Disconnect
Your standard Launchpad URL becomes active again

Troubleshooting

Domain not verifying

If verification fails:

Double-check DNS records are correct
Ensure no typos in the domain name
Wait longer — DNS can take 48 hours
Check with your registrar that records are saved
Try verification again

Site not loading

If your domain isn't working:

Verify DNS records are correct
Check if DNS has propagated (use online tools)
Ensure SSL is active
Clear your browser cache
Try a different browser

SSL certificate errors

If you see certificate warnings:

Wait for SSL provisioning to complete
Ensure the domain matches exactly
Check you're using https://
Contact support if issues persist

DNS propagation

DNS changes aren't instant:

Can take 15 minutes to 48 hours
Different locations may see changes at different times
Use DNS checker tools to monitor progress
Be patient — it will work eventually

Best practices

Choose wisely

Pick a domain you'll keep long-term. Changing domains:

Breaks existing bookmarks and links
Affects search engine rankings
Requires updating marketing materials

Keep it simple

Good domain choices:

book.yourcompany.com.au — clear and branded
reservations.yourcompany.com.au — professional

Avoid:

Very long subdomains
Confusing abbreviations
Hard to spell words

Maintain DNS access

Ensure you always have access to your domain's DNS settings. If you change web hosts, update the necessary records.

A custom domain adds polish and professionalism to your booking experience.