How to set up Advanced Custom Branding

Custom Domain Pointing Setup

If you have requested custom branding with your Customer Success Manager (CSM), you will need to set up your DNS records by adding a CNAME record.

What is DNS and CNAME?

• DNS (Domain Name System): The internet’s phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to connect to websites.

• CNAME (Canonical Name Record): A type of DNS record that creates an alias for a domain name. It points a subdomain (for example: reports.mydomain.com) to the true domain name, such as your TapClicks instance.

Pointing Your Custom Domain

1. Access DNS Settings:

   • Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains) and locate the DNS management area for your domain.

2. Identify the CNAME Record Type:

   • From the list of available record types, select CNAME.

3. Enter the Subdomain:

   • In the "Host" or "Name" field, enter the subdomain you wish to point (e.g., reports.mydomain.com).

4. Enter the Target Hostname:

   • In the "Points to" or "Alias of" field, enter your TapClicks instance URL (e.g., MyCompanyName.tapclicks.com).

5. Optional: Set TTL (Time to Live):

   • TTL determines how long a DNS resolver caches the record. The default value is usually sufficient.

6. Save the Changes:

   • Save the new CNAME record. It may take time for the changes to propagate across the internet.

7. Verify the CNAME Record:

   • Use online tools such as whatsmydns.net to confirm the record is active.

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Custom Email Setup

Once your CNAME setup is confirmed, you can configure a custom email sender for TapClicks notifications (for example, scheduled reports or welcome emails).

By default, TapClicks sends emails from SmartReports using Reports@tapclicks.com. For custom branding, you can update the sender name and email address to align with your domain.

To enable this feature, your domain requires additional configuration. TapClicks uses SendGrid to manage custom email delivery securely.

Steps to Configure a Custom Email:

1. Validation Tool:

   • Open a new webpage and enter the following URL:
     https://im.tapclicks.com/domain_authentication/index.php?action=authenticate_domain&domain=YOUR_DOMAIN

   • Replace YOUR_DOMAIN with your domain name (without the subdomain). 

     • For example, if you're using reports.mydomain.com, enter mydomain.com.

   • The page now should look like this (but with your actual domain name). Keep this page open, you will use it again in later steps.
     

2. Access DNS Settings:

   • Log in to your domain registrar and navigate to the DNS management area.

3. Identify the CNAME Record Type:

   • From the list of available record types, select CNAME.

4. Add DNS Records:

   • Using the values from the validation tool (Step 1), create new CNAME records and paste them into the appropriate fields.

5. Save the Changes:

   • Save the records. It may take time for the changes to propagate. The propagation time generally corresponds to the TTL (Time to Live) set during the previous setup.

6. Verify the CNAME Record:

   • Return to the validation tool and click Validate Domain. 

     • If all records turn green, the configuration is complete.

     • If not, check the entries or allow more time for propagation.

With these configurations completed, your custom domain and email setup will be successfully integrated with TapClicks. If you have any questions or run into issues, please contact our support team for assistance.