Setting Up Your Custom Domain — Step-by-Step
A complete walkthrough for connecting your own subdomain to SMLLR so your QR codes redirect through your branded URL.
Before You Start
You need access to your domain's DNS settings through your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, BigRock, etc.)
You must use a subdomain, not a root domain — for example,
go.yourbrand.comorlinks.yourbrand.com, notyourbrand.comYour account must be on the Premium plan or above (or still within your free trial)
Step 1 — Add Your Domain in SMLLR
Good subdomain choices: go., links., qr., scan.. Avoid using your root domain (e.g. yourbrand.com) — only subdomains are supported.
Open Settings
In your SMLLR dashboard, click Settings in the left sidebar.
Go to Custom Domain tab
At the top of the Settings page, click the Custom Domain tab.
Click Add Custom Domain
Click the + Add Custom Domain button.
Enter your subdomain
Type the subdomain you want to use, for example go.yourbrand.com. Enter only the domain/subdomain — no https:// prefix, no trailing /.
Click Save
Click Save. Your domain will appear with a status of Pending Verification.
Step 2 — Add a CNAME Record in Your DNS Provider
Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider and add a CNAME record with these exact values:
Different DNS providers label these fields differently. 'Name', 'Host', and 'Subdomain' all refer to the same field. 'Value', 'Target', 'Points to', and 'Destination' all refer to where the CNAME points.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
Record Type | CNAME |
Name / Host | The subdomain prefix only — e.g. |
Value / Target / Points to | cname.smllr.app |
TTL | 3600 (or 'Automatic' / 'Default') |
Step 3 — Verify Your Domain
You can check if your CNAME is propagated before clicking Verify by using a free DNS lookup tool — search 'DNS CNAME lookup' and check if go.yourbrand.com resolves to cname.smllr.app.
Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 24 hours to propagate globally. Most providers update within 15–60 minutes.
Return to Settings → Custom Domain
Come back to your SMLLR Settings page and find your domain in the list.
Click Verify Domain
Click the Verify Domain button next to your domain. SMLLR checks if the CNAME record is live and pointing correctly.
Confirmed!
If the CNAME is correctly set, the status changes to Verified & Active with a green indicator.
After Verification — How It Works
Once your domain is verified:
- All new QR codes you create will use go.yourbrand.com/[id] as their redirect URL
- Existing QR codes remain on smllr.app links — they are not automatically updated
- If you later remove the custom domain, new QR codes will revert to smllr.app links. Existing QR codes using the custom domain will stop working until the domain is re-added and verified.
Do not remove your CNAME record from your DNS provider after verification. SMLLR needs the CNAME to remain in place to continue routing your custom domain traffic.
Was this article helpful?