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intermediate ⏱️ 12 min read

Custom Domains & Subdomain Login

Connect your own domain or use your free skillSYMS subdomain, configure DNS, and verify ownership for a branded login experience.

For: Training Providers Administrators

Summary

Every skillSYMS tenant gets a free branded subdomain (e.g., yourname.skillsyms.com). You can also connect your own custom domain (e.g., learn.yourcompany.co.za) by adding two DNS records and verifying ownership. This guide covers both, including provider-specific DNS instructions and troubleshooting.

Who This Guide Is For

  • Training providers wanting a branded login URL for learners
  • Administrators who manage DNS for their organisation
  • Anyone setting up a custom domain for the first time

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • Admin access to your skillSYMS tenant
  • Access to your domain’s DNS management (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
  • The domain you want to connect (without https://)

Step 1: Find Your Subdomain

Navigate to Settings → Domains & Branding (/sdp/settings/domains) and locate the Instance Code section.

Your subdomain URL appears as https://<your-code>.skillsyms.com. Use the copy button to grab it and share it with learners. The instance code is generated automatically from your organisation name and cannot be changed.

Tip: You can start using your subdomain immediately—no DNS setup is required. A custom domain is optional and adds your own branding.

Step 2: Add a Custom Domain

In the Custom Domain section, enter your domain (e.g., learn.yourcompany.co.za) without https:// and click Add Domain.

skillSYMS then shows the DNS records you need to add.

Step 3: Add the DNS Records

Two records are required:

  1. TXT record — Name _skillsyms-verification, Value = the verification token shown on screen (used to prove ownership).
  2. CNAME record — Name @ (or your subdomain label, e.g., learn), Value cloud.skillsyms.com.

Expand the Provider-Specific Instructions for step-by-step guidance for Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or other providers.

Tip: Cloudflare users must set the CNAME to DNS only (grey cloud), not Proxied (orange cloud)—the proxy blocks verification.

Step 4: Verify Ownership

After adding the records, wait for DNS to propagate (typically 5–60 minutes), then click Verify DNS Configuration.

You can confirm propagation first using the verification commands on the page (e.g., nslookup -type=TXT _skillsyms-verification.yourdomain.com).

Step 5: Wait for SSL

Once verified, an SSL certificate is issued automatically—this can take 5–15 minutes. After that, your custom domain serves your branded login page over HTTPS.

Step 6: Advanced Hostnames (Optional)

Under Advanced Settings, you can add additional allowed hostnames that may authenticate against your tenant. Most providers don’t need this.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Verifying too soon: Wait at least 10–15 minutes for DNS to propagate before clicking Verify.
  2. Cloudflare proxy on: Switch the CNAME to DNS-only mode or verification fails.
  3. Including https://: Enter the bare domain only.
  4. Domain already in use: Each domain can connect to only one tenant—remove it elsewhere or contact support.

Verification Checklist

Before moving on, verify:

  • Your subdomain URL is copied and ready to share
  • TXT and CNAME records are added at your DNS provider
  • Cloudflare CNAME (if applicable) is set to DNS only
  • Domain shows as verified in skillSYMS
  • HTTPS loads correctly on your custom domain

Next Steps

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