This article provides an overview of how to customize your Terra Dotta site's URL and covers the following topics:
- Understanding the Use of a Custom URL
- Important Considerations
- Technical Instructions
Important Note: Changing your Terra Dotta site's URL to a custom URL is optional. If you do decide to use a custom URL for your Terra Dotta site, the exact name of the custom URL itself is up to you. However, many clients need to get approval for this URL internally to ensure compliance with institutional policies. Check with your IT department for more information.
Understanding the Use of a Custom URL
When a client's initial Terra Dotta site is created, it will have a URL in the terradotta.com domain. For example: clientid.terradotta.com. It is common practice for clients to request a change from this URL to something within their own institution's domain (e.g. a custom URL), for example: universityoffice.university.edu.
Customizing your Terra Dotta site's URL has two primary benefits:
- Marketing: A custom URL is easier for applicants and stakeholders to remember, so it is more effective than a generic terradotta.com URL when used on posters or other promotional materials.
- Perception: A custom URL is another way to make it apparent that the site is associated with your institution.
Important Considerations
Before moving forward with requesting a custom URL for your Terra Dotta site, it is important to review the following information:
Formatting
A custom URL must be a subdomain of your institution's main URL. This means the custom URL must be in the format of universityoffice.university.edu. A URL such as university.edu/universityoffice is not supported.
SSL Fees
Terra Dotta requires that each client have a security certificate (SSL certificate) for their site. If a client retains the original site URL provided by Terra Dotta, then Terra Dotta's SSL covers the client site. If a client chooses to use a custom URL, then they must purchase their own SSL certificate. Depending on your institution's policies, your office may be required to pay for this certificate, the expense of which averages $100 per year. Terra Dotta does not sell SSL certificates. Your institution's IT department will usually have a preferred vendor, as well as more information about costs and policies regarding these certificates.
Important Note:
- Terra Dotta cannot accept "wildcard" SSL certificates. The SSL certificate provided must be for the exact custom URL of your Terra Dotta site.
- Terra Dotta does not charge any additional fees for the custom URL.
Technical Instructions
- Create the custom URL as a CNAME in your DNS, referencing the initial terradotta.com URL of your production site. Do not create an A record. Your Terra Dotta Implementation or Integration Specialist can confirm the terradotta.com URL of your site if you are unsure.
- Once your integration has begun, we will provide you with a CSR for the custom URL you have chosen.
- Use the CSR we provide to obtain the SSL certificate. The SSL must not be a wildcard SSL.
- Provide the SSL certificate to Terra Dotta to install. You can send the certificate to us as an email attachment. Make sure to provide the entire SSL certificate chain, including any root or intermediate certificates
After the custom URL is configured, any existing websites or pages that link to your Terra Dotta site will need to have their link URLs changed to the new URL. For that reason it's a good idea to wait until after configuring the custom URL to establish any links.
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