Custom domain or subdomain for your knowledge base site
There are a couple different options for what URL your HelpSite-powered support site can live at.
- Subdomain. By default, every site is automatically given a subdomain like
yourname.helpsite.com
. - Custom Domain (Recommended): Setting up a custom domain allows your site to live at
help.your-domain.com
instead. - Embedding: Technically iframe embedding allows your HelpSite to live on any URL on your existing website, however this approach is not recommended and has some real downsides. Learn more.
These options are all available even on our Free plan!
We recommend setting up the Custom Domain option, which is the best way to show that your knowledge base site is officially associated with your company, and also is the best option for SEO. This means you would simply link to your HelpSite powered (which would live at help.your-domain.com
) from your main website (your-domain.com
).
Setting up a Custom Domain does require changing your domain's DNS settings. Instructions are below, but please contact us if you need help.
How to use a custom domain for your HelpSite
Here's how:
- Create a CNAME DNS record for
help.yoursite.com
(orsupport.yoursite.com
or whatever you'd like) and point it to your helpsite.com subdomain (e.g.yourname.helpsite.com
). Keep reading further down on this page for instructions on how to set this up with your domain registrar. It may take an hour or so before your DNS propagates. - If your site already uses CAA records (this does not apply to most websites), then also follow our CAA requirements.
- Log in to your HelpSite page and click Customize. From there, you can set your custom domain.
- If you set your Custom Domain option in HelpSite before setting up your DNS record, you'll see a red "x" icon in Settings, and you will need to click "Update Site" so that we can validate your DNS is setup correctly.
Once Custom Domain and your DNS record is setup properly, you should see a green checkmark like this in HelpSite:
If you have any issues or questions, just get in touch.
HTTPS / SSL
We automatically setup HTTPS / SSL for all sites, to keep you secure, even on the free plan! For custom domain sites, the SSL will be setup within a couple minutes after we show that your CNAME DNS record was verified. Learn more about SSL.
If you use CAA records to restrict which providers can issue SSL certs, you'll need to follow our CAA requirements here.
How to setup a CNAME DNS record
More detailed instructions are available directly from your domain provider:
- Adding a CNAME using Amazon AWS Route53
- Adding a CNAME using Bluehost
- Adding a CNAME using Cloudflare
- Cloudflare Note: It's important that you do not proxy your custom domain requests through Cloudflare. Instead, ensure you're setting up a regular CNAME record (proxy status should be Off). You should see a grey cloud icon, not an orange one.
- Adding a CNAME using cPanel
- Adding a CNAME using Digital Ocean
- Adding a CNAME using dnsimple
- Adding a CNAME using domain discount 24
- Adding a CNAME using Domain.com
- Adding a CNAME using Google Domains
- Adding a CNAME using Dreamhost
- Adding a CNAME using Dynadot
- Adding a CNAME using Freeparking
- Adding a CNAME using Gandi.net
- Adding a CNAME using GoDaddy
- Adding a CNAME using HostMonster
- Adding a CNAME using Hover
- Adding a CNAME using Ionos (1&1)
- Adding a CNAME using iwantmyname
- Adding a CNAME using Linode
- Adding a CNAME using Name.com
- Adding a CNAME using Namecheap
- Adding a CNAME using Network Solutions
- Adding a CNAME using Nomeo