Connect Your Domain to Your Website
Ready to take your site live? Great! All you need to do is point your domain to your site. Below are two options on how to do this.
IN THIS ARTICLE
About Domains
Your domain is the root of the web address of your website. In simple terms, it's the web address that people use to find your site.
For example, in "www.agentmethods.com", the domain name is "agentmethods.com."
This domain becomes your unique online address, allowing visitors to reach your website. Think of it as your digital storefront sign. Without it, your website won't be live on the internet.
Follow the steps on this page to add a custom domain to your AgentMethods account.
What Happens if I Don't Connect My Domain?
You can use AgentMethods features, such as a website, newsletters, and email campaigns, without a connected domain.
AgentMethods will automatically generate a default domain for you, which will be comprised of random letters and numbers. You can view this default domain on the Domain Name page.
Visitors can go to this default domain in order to view your published site. The default domain will be a secure site protected with HTTPS.
Emails sent from your account will be sent using an automatically generated email address from the default domain.
Note: If recipients reply to this email, replies will go directly to your/the agent's inbox (not the default email address).
This default domain can be helpful if users would like to start sending campaigns or launch their website immediately, without waiting for their custom domain to be connected.
However, we do recommend purchasing and connecting a custom domain as soon as possible for your business.
Custom domains:
- Make it easier for customers to visit your website (through an easy-to-remember website name)
- Are short and legible: can be added to marketing materials and advertisements.
- Appear more trustworthy. Many individuals may be suspicious that emails sent from a default domain are "spam" emails.
- Help your business appear more polished and professional.
Purchase a Custom Domain
You must first purchase your domain name from a third-party domain provider: you cannot purchase a domain name through AgentMethods.
Here are some popular domain name providers:
The process is fairly simple for all providers. Simply type in the domain name that you'd like to use for your website. If the domain is available, an annual price will appear to purchase the domain. Once you find one you like, complete the purchase process for your new custom domain.
Next, you can move on to connecting your new domain to your AgentMethods website.
Let Us Connect Your Domain
Connecting your domain is a more technical part of setting up your website. If it feels too complicated for you, our team would be happy to connect your domain name for you.
We charge a one-time fee of $25 to connect your domain name.
If you want us to take care of this, click here to send us a message and we'll help you get up and running.
In the email please include the following info:
1) What is your domain name?
2) Who is your domain registrar?
3) What is your login info at your domain registrar? If your domain is registered with GoDaddy, you do not need to provide login info. Instead, you will be sent an email from GoDaddy requesting access to your account. Once approved, we can connect your domain.
Connect Your Domain On Your Own
If you'd like to connect your domain on your own, you can do so by following these steps.
Step 1. Login to your Domain Registrar
Log in to your domain registrar's site. Once there, locate the 'Zone File Settings', 'DNS Manager', 'Host Records', or similar area of your registrar's control panel.
Step 2. Create a 'CNAME Record'
Once there, you will create records that point your domain to AgentMethods. You'll see fields for the following:
Host Name Record Type Address
You'll want to create a 'CNAME Record' that points to app.agentmethods.com:
The first record, for www.YOURDOMAIN.com: (replace YOURDOMAIN.com with your domain name)
Host Name = www Record Type = 'CNAME' Address = app.agentmethods.com
Step 3. Create an 'A Record'
You will need to create an additional record for your website to work without the 'www'. To do this, create or update the following record:
*The second record, for YOURDOMAIN.com (without the www): *
Host Name = @ Record Type = 'A' Address = 44.205.95.147
Step 4. Link your AgentMethods account to your domain
Now, log back in to your AgentMethods account. Go to Domain Name under the Website tab and enter your domain name where it asks for 'Domain Name'.
Click the green Save button to save your changes.
Step 5. Give the DNS record time to spread across the Internet
It may take up to 72 hours for changes in DNS records to show up, but often they will show up much more quickly. Test your website by trying to visit your domain name in a web browser. If it doesn't work after 72 hours, contact us for help.
Securing Your Site via SSL
Once your DNS records are updated and your site is live at your domain, our system will automatically configure your site with an SSL. To learn more about how we secure your site, click here.
Troubleshooting Domain Connection
Once your site goes live at your domain, it may take several hours for records to get updated across the Internet. Depending on your browser, you may see an error like "Safari Can't Open the Page" or "This site can't be reached".
If you're receiving these error messages, here are a couple steps you can try to load your website.
Adjust URL
First, test to see if your site loads when you type in the domain with "www." at the front, like "www.seattleinsurancepartners.com". If nothing shows up, contact our support for help.
Then test the domain with nothing in front, like "seattleinsurancepartners.com". If this fails to load, the problem is likely due to caching locally your browser and you should clear your browser cache.
Clear Your Cache: Google Chrome
If you are using the Chrome browser, follow these instructions to delete domain information that is cached in your browser:
- Go to chrome://net-internals/#hsts. Enter your domain name under Delete domain security policies and press the Delete button.
- Now go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData, tick the box Cached images and files and press click the button Clear data.
If you are having problems, don't despair! This is the most complicated part of setting up your new site and we're here to help. Drop us an email at express@agentmethods.com and we can help you get up and running for a one-time fee of $25.