Domain Manager Section InformationThe domain parking function allows you to use your own domain instead of a subdomain that this service offers.
The domain will be dedicated to the forum.
Benefits - Unique domain name! Better Branding for your forum
- Cheap price and low cost to get a domain
- Better search engine rankings
- Choose your own domain extension .com, .net, .org, etc. (Note: The domain name can contain only one dot (.)
Getting a Domain NameIf you do not have a domain you can order one from a Domain Host.
We suggest
Godaddy.com IMPORTANT: It is very important that you keep track of the expiration date of your domain name.
If your domain name expires you will not be able to access your forum and it will instead go to a Godaddy.com webpage if you do not Reset the Default Forum Url before it expires. Instructions are at the bottom of the Guide for resetting the Url.
Once you have purchased a Domain Name follow the steps below.
(Important: You must purchase a domain name and follow the steps below before doing anything in Domain Manager)
Step 1: Set up the Nameservers
You will need to create two name servers at the register for your domain.
If you purchased your domain from Godaddy read this guide:
Godaddy Nameserver Setup HelpIf you use a different domain host do a search of their support or help sections for creating nameservers with them.
Information for the nameservers you need to create: Nameserver 1: ns1.yourdomainname.com
Nameserver 2: ns2.yourdomainname.com
Replace "yourdomainname.com" with your domain name.
IP Address: You will find the IP address in Admin > Domain Manager
After you have created the nameservers:It takes 24 to 48 hours for the DNS changes to take affect. You can then go on to Step 2.
Step 2: Add the domain to our system
Go to Step 2 in Admin > Domain Manager:
Put the name of your domain in the box
Click: Park Domain
If you get this error message: This is not a valid domain name.
Check the following:
1. You have not purchased a domain name
Solution: Purchase a domain name from a domain host then follow the steps in the guide again
2. You have not set up the nameservers or they are not set up correctly.
Solution: Follow the steps to create the nameservers with your domain host.
If you did create them recheck the settings for the nameservers and the IP numbers
3. You put in the incorrect domain name or possibly mispelled it
Solution: Put in the correct domain name.
Final Step: Verify the Url
1. Click: VERIFY URL
If you get a page with a "1" on it go to the next step. If not it means the dns changes have not taken effect yet. Give it more time and try again later.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT do the next step until you get a page with a "1" on it.
2. Click: UPDATE FORUM URL
You should now be able to use your domain name for your forum.
Unparking Your Domain Name
Follow these steps if you decide you no longer want to use your domain name for the forum.
This also applys if your domain name is about to expire (see Note below instructions)
1. Go to Admin > Domain Manager
2. Click: Reset Default Forum Url to orginal
3 Make SURE you can now use your SMF for Free url for the forum and that it is no longer using your domain name.
Now you can go to your Domain Host and make any changes you need to so you can use the domain name someplace else
IMPORTANT: It is very important that you keep track of the expiration date of your domain name.
If your domain name expires you will not be able to access your forum and it will instead go to a Godaddy.com webpage if you do not Reset the Default Forum Url before it expires.