How to Use Bitly Custom Domain to Enhance Link Branding and Tracking

With the rise of social media and the need for businesses to have a strong online presence, having a custom domain has become crucial. Bitly, a popular URL shortening service, allows you to shorten and customize your links, making them easier to share and remember. But did you know that you can also create and use custom branded short URLs with Bitly?

By using a custom domain with Bitly, you can strengthen your brand and increase brand recognition. Instead of using generic short URLs like "bit.ly," you can create short URLs that contain your brand name or a relevant keyword. This not only looks more professional but also helps to establish trust with your audience.

Additionally, using a custom branded short URL gives you the opportunity to track and analyze click data. With Bitly's built-in analytics tools, you can see how many clicks each of your shortened links receives, as well as where those clicks are coming from. This valuable data can help you optimize your marketing campaigns and make informed decisions about future content and strategies.

Creating a custom domain with Bitly is easy. Simply purchase a domain from a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, and follow Bitly's step-by-step instructions to set it up. Once your custom domain is linked to your Bitly account, you can start customizing your short URLs and tracking the analytics.

What is Bitly

Bitly is a powerful URL shortening and link management tool that allows users to customize and brand their links. With Bitly, you can easily shorten long URLs into shorter, more memorable links that are easier to share and remember.

Bitly also offers a range of features and tools that go beyond just shortening links. It provides analytics and tracking capabilities, giving you insights into how your links are performing and who is clicking on them. This information can be invaluable when it comes to measuring the success of your marketing campaigns and optimizing your strategies.

One of the standout features of Bitly is its ability to customize links using a custom branded domain. By setting up a custom domain, you can create shortened links that reflect your brand and make them instantly recognizable to your audience. This helps to build trust and credibility, and can also improve click-through rates.

Whether you are an individual looking to share links more efficiently or a business looking to enhance your brand visibility and track your marketing efforts, Bitly is a versatile tool that can meet your needs. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive range of features make it a popular choice among professionals and marketers alike.

Key features of Bitly include:

• URL shortening: Easily convert long URLs into shorter, more manageable links.
• Branding: Customize your links using your own branded domain.
• Analytics and tracking: Gain insights into link performance and audience behavior.

So if you're looking for a reliable and feature-rich URL shortening and link management tool, Bitly is definitely worth considering. Its ability to customize links, track analytics, and enhance your brand makes it a valuable asset for individuals and businesses.

Why use Bitly Custom Domain

Using a Bitly custom domain allows you to brand and customize your shortened links. Instead of having a generic Bitly link, you can have a link that matches your domain or brand name. This helps to establish trust and credibility with your audience.

Having a custom domain also gives you the ability to track and analyze your link data. Bitly provides analytics and insights into how your links are performing. This information can be invaluable for optimizing your marketing campaigns and understanding your audience's behavior.

Shortening your links with a custom domain is not only aesthetically appealing, but it also helps to optimize your links for sharing. Short links are easier to remember and share, making them more accessible to your audience. This can lead to higher click-through rates and engagement.

By using Bitly's custom domain feature, you can take control of your links and make them work for you. Instead of relying on generic, unbranded links, you can create a professional and customized link experience that aligns with your brand and marketing goals.

Setting Up Bitly Custom Domain

Bitly is a popular link shortening service that allows users to customize their URLs and track link analytics. One of the features that Bitly offers is the ability to set up a custom branded domain for shortening links.

What is a custom domain?

A custom domain is a unique web address that you can use to shorten your URLs instead of the default Bitly domain. This allows you to create branded and customized short links that match your brand or website.

Why should you use a custom domain?

Using a custom domain for your Bitly links provides several benefits:

• Branding: By using your own domain, you can create short links that reflect your brand and make them more recognizable to your audience.
• Trust and Credibility: Branded links appear more professional and trustworthy, increasing the likelihood that users will click on them.
• Consistency: Custom domains allow you to maintain consistency across all your online platforms, such as social media profiles, marketing materials, and email campaigns.
• Easy to remember: Branded short URLs are usually shorter and easier to remember, making it more likely that users will revisit the link in the future.
• Analytics and Tracking: Bitly provides extensive link analytics, allowing you to track the performance of your custom domain links and gather valuable insights about your audience.

How to set up a custom domain in Bitly

Setting up a custom domain in Bitly involves a few steps:

1. Choose a domain: Start by selecting a domain name that represents your brand and is available for registration. This could be a subdomain of your existing website or an entirely new domain.
2. Register the domain: Once you've chosen a domain, you'll need to register it with a domain registrar. Follow the registrar's instructions to purchase and set up the domain.
3. Add domain to Bitly: After setting up the custom domain, log in to your Bitly account and navigate to the "Settings" or "Preferences" section. Look for the "Custom Short Domain" option and enter your custom domain name.
4. Verify your domain: To ensure that you're the owner of the domain, Bitly will ask you to verify it. Follow the provided instructions to complete the verification process.
5. Update DNS settings: Once your domain is verified, you'll need to update the DNS settings with your domain registrar. This involves creating a CNAME record to point your custom domain to Bitly's servers.
6. Test and use your custom domain: After updating the DNS settings, wait for the changes to propagate. You can then test your custom domain by shortening a link and ensuring it redirects correctly.
7. Track and analyze: With your custom domain set up, you can now track and analyze the performance of your shortened links in Bitly's analytics dashboard.

By following these steps, you can successfully create and use a custom domain in Bitly to customize and shorten your links while maintaining brand consistency and gaining valuable insights from link analytics.

Registering a domain

In order to create custom branded short URLs using Bitly, you need to register a domain. A domain is the unique web address that users will see when they click on your links.

When registering a domain, it's important to choose a name that represents your brand and is easy for users to remember. Make sure to consider the following factors:

1. Links: Your domain should reflect the type of content or links you will be sharing. For example, if you are a fashion blogger, consider including keywords like "style" or "fashion" in your domain.
2. Analytics: If you plan on using Bitly's analytics features, choose a domain that is compatible with their tracking system. This will allow you to gather valuable data on the performance of your links.
3. Customization: Look for a domain registrar that allows you to fully customize your domain. This includes adding subdomains, creating subfolders, and editing DNS records. The more customization options you have, the better you can tailor your URLs to your branding needs.
4. Shortening: Keep in mind that one benefit of using Bitly is the ability to shorten long URLs. Choose a domain that is concise and doesn't add unnecessary characters or words to your links.
5. Branding: Your domain should align with your brand and convey a sense of professionalism. Avoid using generic or spammy-sounding names that may discourage users from clicking on your links.

Once you have registered a domain, you can connect it to Bitly and start creating custom branded short URLs. Remember to configure your DNS settings correctly to ensure that your custom domain redirects users to the intended destination.

Configuring DNS settings

To fully customize your custom domain with Bitly, you will need to configure your DNS settings. The DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for translating your domain name into an IP address, allowing visitors to access your website.

Here are the steps to configure your DNS settings:

Step 1: Access your DNS provider

Log in to your DNS provider's website. This is the platform where you manage and edit your domain's DNS records. If you are unsure who your DNS provider is, you can check with your domain registrar or hosting provider.

Step 2: Create a CNAME record

Now, you will need to create a CNAME (Canonical Name) record. This record will associate your custom domain with your Bitly account. The CNAME record should have the following details:

Name: Enter the subdomain you want to use for your custom domain, such as "short" or "link".

Type: Set the type as CNAME.

Value: Enter "cname.bitly.com".

TTL: Set the TTL (Time to Live) to your preference. A shorter TTL allows DNS changes to propagate faster but may lead to increased DNS lookups.

Note: If you have an existing CNAME record for your subdomain, you may need to edit or delete it to avoid conflicts.

Step 3: Save the changes

Once you have entered the necessary details for the CNAME record, save the changes. The time it takes for the changes to propagate can vary, but it typically ranges from a few minutes to a few hours.

Step 4: Verify the configuration

After the DNS changes have propagated, you can verify the configuration by going to your custom domain in a web browser. If everything is set up correctly, your custom domain should redirect to Bitly and display your shortened links. You can also check the Bitly dashboard to ensure that the tracking and analytics data is being properly recorded for your custom domain.

By configuring your DNS settings, you are able to fully integrate your custom domain with Bitly, enhancing your brand and allowing for better tracking and analytics of your shortened links.

Verifying domain ownership

In order to create and use custom branded short URLs with Bitly, you will need to verify domain ownership. This ensures that you have the necessary authority to create and manage custom tracking links using your chosen domain.

Verifying your domain ownership is a straightforward process. Once you have registered your custom domain and set up DNS records correctly, you can proceed with the verification process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through it:

Step 1: Accessing the Bitly settings

Log in to your Bitly account and navigate to the Settings section. You can usually find the settings by clicking on your username or avatar in the top navigation menu.

Step 2: Adding your domain

Within the Bitly settings, locate the "Branded Short Domains" section. Here, you can add your custom domain by clicking on the "Add a Domain" button.

Enter your domain name in the designated field and click on the "Continue" button.

Step 3: Verify ownership

Bitly will provide you with a set of DNS records that you need to add to your domain's DNS settings. These records are unique to your Bitly account and are used to verify domain ownership.

Access your domain's DNS settings in your domain provider's control panel. Look for options related to "DNS management" or "DNS records". Add the DNS records provided by Bitly and save the changes.

Step 4: Completing the verification process

Once you have added the DNS records, return to the Bitly settings page and click on the "Verify" button next to your domain. Bitly will automatically check if the DNS records are set up correctly.

It may take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet, so you might need to wait a couple of hours for verification to complete. Once verified, you can start creating custom branded short URLs using your domain and track their performance with Bitly's analytics.

By verifying your domain ownership with Bitly, you can gain full control over your brand's URL shortening and tracking capabilities, helping you to enhance your marketing efforts and drive better results.

Configuring SSL certificate

In order to maintain a secure connection and protect your custom domain, it is essential to configure an SSL certificate for your shortened links. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) enables encrypted communication between the user's browser and your website, ensuring that sensitive information remains safe.

When you create a custom branded short URL with Bitly, the platform automatically generates an SSL certificate for your domain. This certificate ensures that all traffic to your custom domain is encrypted and secure.

Configuring the SSL certificate for your custom branded short URLs involves a few simple steps:

By configuring the SSL certificate for your custom domain, you enhance the trustworthiness of your brand and provide a secure browsing experience for your users. Additionally, enabling SSL allows you to take advantage of Bitly's powerful analytics and tracking features, giving you valuable insights into the performance of your shortened links.

Creating Custom Branded Short URLs

Bitly allows you to customize your links with your own domain, creating unique and branded short URLs. With this feature, you can maintain your brand consistency while shortening URLs for sharing.

When you create a custom branded short URL, you need to set up a domain of your own choice. This domain will be used to shorten your links instead of the default Bitly domain. By customizing the domain, you can align your brand's identity with your shortened links.

Shortening links using your custom domain is a simple process that requires a few steps. First, you need to connect your domain to Bitly. This involves adding a DNS record to your domain settings. The DNS record ensures that requests for your custom URL are directed to Bitly's servers for redirection.

After connecting your domain, you can start to shorten links using your custom branded domain. Simply input the original URL into Bitly's link shortening tool, and it will generate a shortened link using your custom domain. This way, when someone clicks on the shortened link, they will be directed to the original URL, but your custom domain will be displayed in the browser's address bar.

Using a custom branded short URL not only provides a professional and cohesive appearance but also allows for better tracking and analytics. Bitly provides detailed analytics for each shortened link, including click-through rates, geographical location data, and referral sources. This data can help you optimize your marketing campaigns and understand the performance of your branded short URLs.

In conclusion, Bitly's custom branded short URLs feature allows you to customize your links with your own domain, enhancing your brand's identity and providing better tracking and analytics. By utilizing this feature, you can create memorable and branded short URLs that maintain your brand consistency while leveraging the power of link tracking and analytics provided by Bitly.

Linking your domain

If you have a custom domain that you would like to use with Bitly, you can easily link it to your Bitly account to create custom branded short URLs.

Setting up the domain

To link your custom domain, go to your Bitly account settings and navigate to the "Custom Domains" section. Here, you can add and manage multiple custom domains.

First, click on the "Add Custom Domain" button. Enter your custom domain name in the provided field and click "Next". You will then be provided with DNS instructions to configure your domain settings.

Once you have completed the DNS configuration, click "Verify" to confirm the setup. It may take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet, so be patient if the verification process takes a little while to complete.

Tracking and analytics

Once your custom domain is linked to your Bitly account, you can start using it to shorten links and track their performance through Bitly's powerful analytics.

Every time you create a shortened link using your custom domain, Bitly will automatically track a range of metrics, such as the number of clicks, the geographic location of your audience, and the devices they are using. These analytics will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your links and help you optimize your marketing campaigns.

In addition to tracking general link performance, Bitly also allows you to customize the link aliases associated with your custom domain. This means you can create meaningful and memorable branded URLs that enhance your brand identity and improve click-through rates.

By linking your custom domain to Bitly, you can take advantage of Bitly's powerful link management features while maintaining a consistent brand experience for your audience.

Takeaways:

1. Linking your custom domain to Bitly allows you to create custom branded short URLs.
2. Setting up your custom domain in your Bitly account requires DNS configuration.
3. Bitly provides robust tracking and analytics for links created using your custom domain.
4. Customizing link aliases can enhance brand identity and improve click-through rates.

Customizing the short URL

Bitly allows you to create custom branded short URLs for your links. With a custom domain, you can replace the "bit.ly" in your shortened links with your own domain name. This helps to strengthen your brand identity and make your links more recognizable to your audience.

When you customize your short URL, you have the ability to choose a domain that reflects your brand or business. For example, if your brand name is "ABC Company," you can customize your short URL to be something like "abc.co" or "abc.link". This makes your links appear more professional and memorable.

In addition to customizing the domain, Bitly also offers tracking and analytics features for your shortened links. This means that you can track how many clicks your links receive, where they are coming from, and other valuable data. This information can be used to measure the success of your marketing campaigns or to optimize your website's performance.

To customize your short URL, you need to have your own domain and set it up with Bitly. This process involves registering your domain, configuring the DNS settings, and verifying ownership. Once your domain is set up, you can start customizing your short URLs.

Customizing your short URLs is easy with Bitly's user-friendly interface. Simply go to your Bitly dashboard, select the link you want to edit, and click on the "Customize" button. From there, you can choose your custom domain and set the desired vanity URL. Within seconds, your short URL will be customized and ready to promote.

By customizing your short URLs, you can create a consistent and cohesive brand experience for your audience. Whether you are sharing links on social media, in emails, or on your website, having custom branded short URLs will help to establish trust and improve click-through rates. Make the most out of every link you share by shortening, customizing, and tracking them with Bitly.

Adding analytics to your short URL

If you are using a custom domain with Bitly to shorten and brand your links, you can also take advantage of their analytics features. By adding analytics to your short URLs, you can track important metrics such as click-through rates, geographic location of your audience, and referrals.

Why use analytics?

Using analytics for your custom Bitly domain allows you to gain insights into how your brand is performing and how your links are being shared. Understanding who is clicking on your links and where they are coming from can help you make data-driven decisions to improve your marketing efforts.

How to add analytics to your custom domain

1. Sign in to your Bitly account and navigate to the account settings.

2. Click on the "Branded Short Domains" tab.

3. Select the custom domain you want to add analytics to.

4. Scroll down to the "Analytics" section and click on "Enable" to turn on analytics for your custom domain.

5. Save your changes, and Bitly will start collecting analytics data for your short URLs.

Once analytics is enabled for your custom domain, you can access the data by clicking on the "Analytics" tab in your Bitly account. Here, you will find detailed information about the performance of your short URLs, including the number of clicks, the devices used, and the top referrers.

Pro tip: To customize your analytics further, you can integrate your Bitly account with other analytics platforms, such as Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics.

By leveraging the analytics features provided by Bitly, you can gain valuable insights into the success of your branded short URLs. Use this data to optimize your marketing strategies and improve your overall brand performance.

Sharing your short URL

Once you have set up your custom branded short URLs with Bitly, it's time to share them with the world. Customizing your short URLs not only enhances your brand's visibility, but also provides valuable analytics and tracking capabilities.

When you shorten your URLs using your custom domain in Bitly, you can easily share them across various platforms like social media, email, or messaging apps. Whether you're promoting a product, sharing valuable content, or simply directing users to your website, using custom branded URLs can help increase click-through rates and engagement.

Tracking your links

With Bitly's analytics and tracking features, you can monitor the performance of your custom short URLs. Bitly provides detailed insights such as the number of clicks, click sources, geographic location of visitors, and more. This allows you to analyze the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize your strategies.

Ensuring brand consistency

Using a custom domain for your shortened links ensures brand consistency and professionalism. By incorporating your brand name or relevant keywords into your short URLs, you create a cohesive online presence and reinforce your brand identity. This branding strategy can greatly impact user perception and increase trust and recognition.

Using Custom Branded Short URLs

Custom branded short URLs are a powerful tool in your marketing and branding efforts. With Bitly, you can create and use custom branded short URLs to personalize and promote your links.

Bitly allows you to brand your short URLs with a custom domain of your choice. This means that instead of using the default Bitly domain, you can use your own domain to create short links. This helps you maintain a consistent brand image and enhance brand recognition.

When you shorten a link with your custom domain, the URL will reflect your brand. For example, instead of using a generic Bitly link like "bit.ly/abcd123", you can use a custom branded short URL like "mybrand.co/abcd123". This makes your links more professional and trustworthy.

One of the main advantages of using custom branded short URLs is the ability to track and analyze the performance of your links. Bitly provides detailed analytics that give you insights on how your links are performing. You can see the number of clicks, the geographic location of your audience, and other relevant metrics. This data helps you understand your audience better and optimize your marketing strategies.

With Bitly, you can also customize your short URLs with relevant keywords or a specific call-to-action. This helps in increasing click-through rates and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your marketing campaigns.

In conclusion, custom branded short URLs are a valuable tool for any business or individual looking to strengthen their brand, track link performance, and customize their marketing messages. With Bitly's features and analytics, you can create and manage custom branded short URLs seamlessly.

Improved brand recognition

With Bitly Custom Domain, you can customize your short links using your brand name. By incorporating your brand into the shortened links, you create a stronger connection between your brand and the content you are sharing. This enhanced brand recognition helps to establish trust and credibility with your audience.

Shortened links are a popular tool for sharing content on social media platforms, emails, and other forms of digital communication. By using a custom domain with Bitly, you can create unique short links that are aligned with your brand's identity. This consistency in branding helps you stand out from the competition and makes it easier for your audience to recognize and remember your brand.

In addition to branding, using a custom domain with Bitly also allows you to track the performance of your shortened links. Bitly provides advanced analytics and tracking features, giving you valuable insights into how your links are performing. This data enables you to make informed decisions about your marketing strategies and optimize your campaigns for better results.

Overall, incorporating a custom domain with Bitly to shorten your links offers several benefits. It improves brand recognition by aligning your brand with the content you share, helps you stand out from competitors, and provides valuable tracking information to optimize your marketing efforts. Take advantage of Bitly Custom Domain to enhance your brand's online presence and improve your marketing results.

Increased trust and credibility

By using Bitly's custom domain feature, you can shorten and track your links using your own branded domain. This customization allows you to strengthen your brand identity and increase trust and credibility among your audience.

When you customize your links with your own domain, you are creating a consistent and professional image for your brand. Instead of using a generic link shortening service, you can showcase your brand name and logo in the shortened URL. This branding can help users identify your links easily and recognize that they are coming from a trustworthy source.

Additionally, Bitly's custom domain feature provides you with detailed analytics and tracking capabilities. With these analytics, you can gain insights into the performance of your links and understand how your audience engages with them. This data can help you refine your marketing strategies and optimize your campaigns for better results.

Having your own custom domain for link shortening also protects your brand from potential misuse or abuse. When you use a generic URL shortener, anyone can create shortened links with your brand name. This opens up the possibility of fraudulent activities or misleading content being associated with your brand. However, by utilizing Bitly's custom domain feature, you maintain control and reduce the risk of such incidents.

In conclusion, using Bitly's custom domain feature allows you to brand, customize, and track your shortened links, which enhances trust and credibility for your brand. By presenting consistent and professional links, and using detailed analytics for optimization, you can strengthen your online presence and build a strong connection with your audience.

Tracking click-through rates

To customize and track click-through rates on your custom branded short URLs, Bitly provides powerful analytics tools.

When you create custom short links with Bitly, you can easily track the number of clicks they receive. These analytics allow you to measure the success of your marketing campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

Bitly's analytics provide detailed information on click-through rates, such as the number of clicks, geographical data, and the date and time of each click. This data allows you to gain insights into your audience's behavior and preferences.

Benefits of tracking click-through rates with Bitly:

• Measure the success of your marketing efforts
• Identify which campaigns or strategies are generating the most clicks
• Optimize your marketing campaigns based on real-time data
• Understand audience behavior and preferences

By using Bitly's analytics, you can make data-driven decisions and improve the effectiveness of your custom branded short links. With this information, you can refine your marketing strategies and drive more traffic to your website or content.

Bitly's tracking and analytics feature provides a comprehensive view of your click-through rates, helping you understand the impact and reach of your custom short links. Take advantage of these powerful tools to optimize your marketing efforts and enhance your brand's visibility.

Enhancing digital marketing campaigns

In the world of digital marketing, tracking and analytics play a crucial role in determining the success of campaigns. By using a custom domain for your branded short URLs, you can effectively track and analyze the performance of your marketing efforts.

A custom domain allows you to brand your links with a domain that is unique to your business. This helps to establish a sense of trust and familiarity with your audience, as they see your brand prominently displayed in the link. Additionally, custom domains provide a more professional and polished image, which can enhance the overall brand perception.

When you customize your links with a branded short URL, you have the ability to create meaningful and memorable links that align with your marketing objectives. This can be particularly useful for campaigns with limited characters, such as social media posts or SMS marketing messages. Short, custom links are easier to share and remember, increasing the likelihood of click-throughs and conversions.

Furthermore, using a custom domain for your branded short URLs allows you to gather valuable data through analytics. You can track metrics such as click-through rates, geographical location, and device types. This data provides insights into the effectiveness of your campaigns and can help you make data-driven decisions to optimize future marketing efforts.

In summary, incorporating a custom domain to shorten and brand your URLs can greatly enhance your digital marketing campaigns. By utilizing tracking and analytics capabilities, you can gain valuable insights, improve brand perception, and increase engagement with your audience.

Frequently asked questions:

What is Bitly Custom Domain?

Bitly Custom Domain allows you to create and use custom branded short URLs for your links, instead of the generic "bit.ly" domain.

How do I create a custom domain in Bitly?

To create a custom domain in Bitly, you first need to purchase a domain from a domain registrar. Then, you need to set up the DNS settings to point your custom domain to Bitly's servers. Finally, you can add and verify the custom domain in your Bitly account settings.

Can I use my existing domain as a custom domain in Bitly?

Yes, you can use your existing domain as a custom domain in Bitly. You just need to make sure that you have access to the DNS settings of your domain to set up the necessary DNS records.

What are the benefits of using custom branded short URLs in Bitly?

Using custom branded short URLs in Bitly can provide several benefits. It allows you to create consistent and recognizable links for your brand, which can increase trust and click-through rates. It also allows you to track and analyze the performance of your links more effectively.

Can I use multiple custom domains in Bitly?

Yes, you can use multiple custom domains in Bitly. This can be useful if you have multiple brands or websites that you want to track separately. You can add and manage multiple custom domains in your Bitly account settings.

What is Bitly Custom Domain?

Bitly Custom Domain allows users to create and use their own branded short URLs instead of the default bit.ly domain. This helps to reinforce their brand and increase brand recognition when sharing links.

How do I create a Bitly Custom Domain?

To create a Bitly Custom Domain, you need to have a registered domain and access to its DNS settings. First, you need to configure your DNS settings by adding a CNAME record that points your custom domain to the Bitly domain. Then, you need to verify your domain in the Bitly settings and set it as your default domain. Finally, you can start creating short URLs using your custom domain.

What are the benefits of using a Bitly Custom Domain?

Using a Bitly Custom Domain has several benefits. It allows you to reinforce your brand by using your own branded short URLs. It increases brand recognition when sharing links on social media platforms. It also provides additional customization options for your URLs, such as adding relevant keywords or branding elements. Finally, using a custom domain can help increase click-through rates and engagement with your links.

Can I use multiple custom domains with Bitly?

Yes, you can use multiple custom domains with Bitly. You can add and verify multiple domains in the Bitly settings, and then choose which one to use when creating short URLs. This can be useful if you have multiple brands or websites that you want to use different custom domains for.