How to use your own subdomain for links in CartBoss texts

For branded short links on your own subdomain, pick Custom subdomain when you order a CartBoss brand, then add a CNAME record at your domain provider. It comes with a brand, which is a monthly subscription (see the pricing page).

Choose your subdomain in Brand Kit

1. In your CartBoss dashboard, click Brand Kit in the left menu, under Websites.
2. Click Set up your brand, or Add new brand if you already have one.
3. Type your Sender Name. The Short URL choice stays grey until you do.
4. Under Short URL, choose Custom subdomain.
5. Type your subdomain, for example sms.yourbrand.com. It must have at least three parts and must not start with www.
6. Write down the three values in the IMPORTANT : Add CNAME record to DNS! box: HOST, VALUE and TTL.
7. Finish the rest of the brand form and click Order brand.

Add the CNAME record at your domain provider

A CNAME record points one domain name to another. Here it points your subdomain to CartBoss, so your links open.

1. Log in to your domain provider and open the DNS settings of your domain, for example yourbrand.com.
2. Add a new record and choose the type CNAME.
3. Host (some providers call it Name): your subdomain. Many providers want only the first part, for example sms, and add yourbrand.com by themselves.
4. Value (some providers call it Target or Points to): cname.cartboss.io
5. TTL: 3600 (one hour). If your provider has no such field, keep its default.
6. Save the record.

Add the record right after you order, before your brand becomes Active. Without it, the links in your texts won't open.

Check that it works

CartBoss does not check your DNS: there is no status or verify button in Brand Kit. Check it yourself:

1. Wait until the change has spread. This usually takes minutes, sometimes a few hours.
2. Look up your subdomain in any free online CNAME lookup tool. It should point to cname.cartboss.io.

Once your brand shows Active in Brand Kit, the links in all texts from its stores use your subdomain.

The links in my texts don't open

Almost always the CNAME record is missing or wrong. Check these at your domain provider:

• The record exists and its type is CNAME, not A or TXT.
• The value is exactly cname.cartboss.io, with no typo and nothing added.
• The host is not doubled. If your provider adds the domain by itself, typing the full name gives sms.yourbrand.com.yourbrand.com. Type only sms.
• No other record uses the same subdomain. Delete or rename it, so only the CNAME record is left.

Fixed it and still no luck after a few hours? Write to support@cartboss.io with your subdomain.

Questions

Can I add a custom subdomain to the brand I already have?

No. The short URL is fixed once you order a brand. Only its sites can change. Write to support@cartboss.io if you need a different one.

Can I use my main domain or www?

No. Use a subdomain with at least three parts, like sms.yourbrand.com. It must not start with www.

What does "Domain already exists. Choose different domain or brand name" mean?

Another brand already uses this subdomain. Choose a different one.

What does "Not a valid domain." mean?

The subdomain has a typo or is not a full name like sms.yourbrand.com. Only letters, numbers, dots, hyphens and underscores can be typed.

Is there an easier option?

Yes. Choose Branded subdomain under Short URL. Your links then look like yourbrand.cbgo.co/…, and there is nothing to set up.

Related articles

• How to set up a brand (your own sender name and links) in CartBoss
• How to check where your custom sender name works
• How to change the sender name of your CartBoss texts