Changing Default Site or Community Address to a Custom Domain

This documentation will guide you through the process of changing the default site/community address to a custom domain, such as "app.companydomain.com." By following these steps, you can enhance your online presence and create a more professional image for your users.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the customization process, ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

• Custom Domain: You should already have access to the custom domain (e.g., "companydomain.com") that you want to use for your site/community.
• DNS Access: You must have access to your domain's DNS settings. This allows you to configure DNS records to point to the Salesforce site/community.
• Salesforce Administrator Access: You need Salesforce administrator access to make the necessary changes within your Salesforce organization.

Steps to Change the Default Site/Community Address

Follow these steps to change the default site/community address to your custom domain:

Step 1: Configure Salesforce Community

1. Log in to your Salesforce organization as an administrator.
2. Navigate to "Setup" by clicking on your user profile icon and selecting "Setup."
3. In the Quick Find box, type "All Communities" and select it from the options.
4. Click on the community you want to configure.
5. In the community settings, click on "Administration."
6. Under "General," locate the "Community Builder Settings" section.
7. Find the "Domain Management" option and click "Edit."
8. Enter your custom domain (e.g., "app.companydomain.com") in the "Custom Domain" field.
9. Click "Save."

Step 2: Configure DNS Records

Now, you need to configure your DNS settings to point to the Salesforce site/community. The exact steps may vary depending on your DNS provider, but here's a general overview:

1. Log in to your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider account.
2. Navigate to the DNS management section.
3. Add a new DNS record of type "CNAME" (Canonical Name).
4. Enter your custom domain (e.g., "app.companydomain.com") as the host or alias.
5. Set the CNAME value to your Salesforce community URL. It usually follows this pattern: <your-community-name>.your-salesforce-instance-url.com. For example: mycommunity.force.com.
6. Save the DNS record.
7. Wait for DNS propagation. It may take some time for the changes to take effect across the internet, typically a few hours to a day.

Step 3: Test the Custom Domain

After configuring your DNS records, it's essential to test the custom domain to ensure it's correctly set up. Here's how:

1. Open a web browser.
2. Enter your custom domain (e.g., "app.companydomain.com") in the address bar.
3. If everything is configured correctly, you should be redirected to your Salesforce community, and the custom domain should now be in use.

Step 4: Additional Configuration (Optional)

Depending on your specific needs, you may want to consider additional configurations, such as setting up SSL certificates to enable HTTPS for your custom domain. Consult your Salesforce documentation or your SSL certificate provider for detailed instructions on this process.