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Set up a custom domain

A custom domain is your own web address for your QR codes, landing pages and trails. Instead of qrforge.link/r/..., your codes use an address such as links.example.com/r/.... This looks more trustworthy to the people who scan, and on trails it lets QRForge count real visitors (see Visitors vs page opens).

Before you start​

  • A paid plan. Custom domains are not part of the free trial. Pro includes 1, Agency 5 and Enterprise 25.
  • A domain you own, and access to its DNS settings. DNS settings are usually at the company where you bought the domain, or where your website is hosted.
  • One domain per project. Each custom domain is linked to exactly one project, and a project can have one domain. A domain shows only its own project's QR codes, pages and trails.

Tip: use a subdomain, such as links.example.com or go.example.com. Your main website at example.com keeps working as before.

Step 1: Add the domain in QRForge​

  1. In the left menu, click Custom Domains.
  2. Click Add Domain.
  3. In Domain Name, type your domain, for example links.example.com. Do not add https://, paths or spaces.
  4. Under Link to Project, choose the project.
  5. Optionally add Notes, such as Marketing links domain.
  6. Click Add Domain.

QRForge prepares your domain. This usually takes under a minute. Then the Custom Domain Setup window shows the DNS records to add.

Step 2: Add the DNS records​

The window shows two records. Add both at your DNS provider, exactly as shown:

  • STEP 1 — Prove domain ownership (add CNAME). This lets QRForge get a security certificate (for https://) for your domain.
  • STEP 2 — Point traffic to QRForge. This sends visitors of your domain to QRForge.

Use the copy buttons next to each value. For details, see DNS records.

Step 3: Wait for it to go live​

You can close the window. QRForge checks your records automatically.

  • The certificate usually takes 5–15 minutes once the first record is in place.
  • Your domain usually goes live about 15 minutes after the DNS records have spread. DNS changes can take longer, sometimes up to 48 hours.

When the domain shows Active in the Custom Domains list, you are done. To check sooner, open View DNS records and click Check Now.

Step 4: Update the images of your existing QR codes​

Your existing QR code images do not change when the domain becomes Active. Each image keeps the address it was created with, and codes with qrforge.link keep working. Downloading an existing code again gives you the same image with the old address.

To get an image that uses your domain, after the domain is Active:

  1. Open the QR code and click Edit Design.
  2. Click Apply. You do not need to change anything. QRForge redraws the image with your domain.
  3. When the new image shows, download it and print it.

New codes you create in the project use your domain automatically.

Remove a custom domain​

  1. In Custom Domains, click Remove custom domain on the domain's row.
  2. Confirm with Remove Domain.

Warning: QR codes printed or shared with that domain stop working. After removing it, delete both DNS records at your DNS provider.

What is not allowed​

Phishing, malware, impersonation or other abuse. QRForge may switch off such a domain. QRForge's own addresses and some hosting addresses cannot be added.

Next steps​