# Custom Domain Setup

Configure a custom domain to allow external users to access your Trust Center using your organization’s domain.

Instead of using the default Trust Center URL, you can create a CNAME record that redirects a custom subdomain (e.g., trust.yourcompany.com) to your Trust Center.

:::info
WatchDog does not generate a CNAME record for you. Instead, you will use your existing Trust Center URL as the target when configuring your DNS record.
:::

# Before You Begin

You will need:

- Access to your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Route 53)
- Your Trust Center profile URL from the Trust Center editor
- A subdomain you want to use (e.g., `trust.yourcompany.com`)


# Copy Your Trust Center URL
<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in to WatchDog Security">
    Sign in to the [**WatchDog Security Platform**](app.watchdogsecurity.io).
  </Step>
  <Step title="Navigate to Trust Center">
    Select **Trust Center** from the left navigation menu.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Enter Edit Mode">
    Select **Edit Trust Center** within to open the Trust Center Editor
  </Step>
    <Step title="Locate Your Profile URL">
    In the Trust Center editor, find your public Trust Center URL (used for sharing externally).
    </Step>
<Step title="Copy URL">
Copy this URL — it will be used as the destination for your CNAME record.
</Step>
</Steps>

:::tip
Your Trust Center must be in **Live mode** for the domain to resolve correctly.
:::
<br>
---

# Create CNAME Record

<Steps>
<Step title="Log into DNS Provider">
Access your domain provider where your DNS records are managed.
</Step>

<Step title="Create New Record">
Add a new DNS record and select **CNAME** as the record type.
</Step>

<Step title="Enter Subdomain">
In the **Name / Host** field, enter your desired subdomain (e.g., trust).
</Step>

<Step title="Set Target Value">
In the **Target / Value** field, paste your Trust Center URL.
</Step>

<Step title="Save Record">
Save the DNS record to apply changes.
</Step>
</Steps>

:::info
DNS propagation may take up to a few hours depending on your provider.
:::
<br>
---

# Verify Domain

<Steps>
<Step title="Open Custom Domain">
Navigate to your configured subdomain (e.g., trust.yourcompany.com).
</Step>

<Step title="Confirm Resolution">
Verify that the domain loads your Trust Center correctly.
</Step>
</Steps>

---

## What Happens Next

<TipInfo>Your custom domain routes users to your Trust Center.</TipInfo>
<TipInfo>External users can access your Trust Center using your branded domain.</TipInfo>
<TipInfo>All visibility and approval settings continue to apply.</TipInfo>
<br>

---

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>

<Accordion title="Domain Not Resolving" defaultOpen>
Check:
- CNAME record is correctly configured  
- DNS propagation has completed  
- No conflicting records exist for the same subdomain
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Incorrect Page Loading">
Ensure:
- Trust Center URL was copied correctly  
- Trust Center is in Live mode  
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="SSL / Security Warning">
Some DNS providers require additional time to provision SSL certificates.  
Wait and retry after propagation completes.
</Accordion>

</AccordionGroup>