Subdomains

A subdomain is a prefix added to a domain name to separate a section of your website. Subdomains are primarily used to manage sections that require their own content hierarchy, such as online stores. 

You will need to set up subdomains of your primary domain to host aspects of your organisation’s online presence, such as your website and email addresses.

A subdomain functions as a separate website to the primary domain, but both can share similar characteristics.

In this article, we’ll cover why subdomains are required and the details you’ll need to set each of them up.

Why use a subdomain?

You will need to set up a subdomain (or a sub-subdomain) for use with the following features:

• To host iframes as part of your Website Integration
• A Spektrix Link Subsite 
• Sending System Emails from Spektrix
• Sending emails with Dotdigital using a Custom From Address 

Setting up separate subdomains is essential to protect the reputation of your primary domain. For example, we always recommend keeping your website domain separate from your email domain. This will protect your website from becoming flagged if there is an accidental misuse of your email domain. 

If you’re using your Spektrix system to run multiple websites from separate domains then you’ll need to create and set up separate subdomains for each website. 

To set up a subdomain, you’ll need the assistance of your web developer or the person who manages the DNS (Domain Name Server) records for your organisation.

In the next sections of this article, we’ll go into more detail on what’s required at each stage. Your web developer can find the technical documentation they'll need on our Integration Portal. 

Domain hosting services

A domain hosting service lets you register a domain name for your website. To host a website online you’ll need to set up and configure your domain on your hosting service platform. Your hosting service platform can also be used to set up and configure any subdomains.

Some popular choices of hosting services include: godaddy and network solutions. 

Currently we are aware that Spektrix is not compatible with domains hosted on 123-reg or Wix.

Each hosting platform will differ, therefore, we can’t provide step by step guidance on how to set up and configure a subdomain on your hosting platform.

Next, you’ll set up your subdomain. Setup depends on the use of your subdomain:

• Iframe Subdomain
• Spektrix Link Subsite
• System Emails
• Dotdigital Custom From Address

iframe Subdomain

To host iframes as part of your website integration, you'll need to set up a subdomain that is a prefix of your primary website domain. This subdomain URL will never be visible to your customers.

For example, if your primary domain is, mywebsite.com, your iframe subdomain could be tickets.mywebsite.com. 

This subdomain must not already be in use for any other purpose. To set up a website subdomain you’ll need to:

1. Choose a subdomain name. For example: tickets.yourwebsite.com if your website domain is yourwebsite.com.
2. Ask your web developer to update your DNS records using the settings in the table below. You can find more technical documentation for your developer on our Integrations Portal.
3. Contact our support team with your new subdomain details.
4. For an integrated website, ask your web developer to replace any references of system.spektrix.com with your new subdomain URL.
5. You’ll need to make sure your primary domain is listed in your Domain Specific Config: 
   

   Name	Example Subdomain	Domain	CNAME
   iframe subdomain	tickets.	YOURDOMAIN	customers.spektrix.com.

6. Ask your web developer to check whether there are any CAA records set up for your website. If you already have a CAA record, then for your site’s SSL certificate to be issued successfully, your developer will need to add additional new CAA records to your main domain (not your new subdomain) for the following:
   • digicert.com
   • letsencrypt.org

For more detailed information on website subdomains, you can read the article iframe Subdomains.

Spektrix Subsites

To set up a Spektrix Subsite, you’ll need to set up a public-facing subdomain and an iframe sub-subdomain.

1. Your subsite subdomain will become the URL for your subsite, for example: purchase.mywebsite.com.
   This subdomain will help reassure customers that they're completing a secure transaction on your website.
2. Your iframe sub-subdomain is a prefix of your first subdomain, for example: tickets.purchase.mywebsite.com.
   This domain will host the Spektrix iframes on your subsite and won’t be visible to your customers: 
   

   Name	Example Subdomain	Domain	CNAME
   Subsite subdomain (visible to customers)	purchase.	YOURDOMAIN	app.spektrix-link.com
   iframe sub-subdomain (not visible to customers)	tickets.purchase	YOURDOMAIN	customers.spektrix.com.

3. You’ll also need to complete the Domain Specific Config for your Subsite subdomain. For more information on the subdomains required for a Spektrix Subsite, read How to set up a Spektrix Subsite. 

System Emails

You can set up a subdomain for sending automated emails (System Emails) from Spektrix. 

It's not required to set up a subdomain for sending System Emails, as we can send emails from a Spektrix domain (variable by region) 'on behalf of' your primary domain with the relevant security and DNS records. 

However, using a subdomain for System Emails will greatly improve the likelihood that emails are delivered (and less likely for them to end up in spam or blocked). Using a subdomain also offers a greater level of security and clarity for your customers.

Your web developer can find more detailed information about setting up a subdomain for System Emails on the Integrate Portal: System Email Authentication.

Add the following five records:

*.eu.mailgun.org values are specifically for organisations in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

You’ll also need to Contact Support to request a number of aliases (email addresses) for use with System Emails:

For more information on System Email subdomains, read the Improving System Email Delivery article.

Dotdigital Custom From Address

Using a Custom From Address (CFA) can have a positive impact on the deliverability of your Dotdigital emails.

To add a CFA to your Dotdigital account, you’ll need a domain that isn’t used anywhere else (websites, system emails, business emails). This can be a new domain or a subdomain of an existing one.

WARNING: Separate subdomains are essential to protect the reputation of your main domain. For example, we always recommend keeping your website domain separate from your email domain. This will protect your website from becoming flagged if there is an accidental misuse of your email domain. 

When adding a new Custom From Address, there are three set up options (choose one approach):

1. Add a subdomain to your website domain (preferred)

   To do this you’ll need to ensure you can point/delegate the NS records (name servers) of your subdomains to Dotdigital. Not all hosting services allow this ability so check with your provider. 

   If you use a proxy service (like Cloudflare's proxy feature) you won't be able to delegate your subdomains to Dotdigital. 

   Set up a new subdomain with the following details:
   
   

   Name	Example Subdomain	Domain	NS Records
   Dotdigital Custom From Address	email.	YOURDOMAIN	You’ll need to set the DNS records as listed on the Dotdigital Help Center: Delegate a subdomain to our servers.

   
   
   
2. Set up a new primary domain for your marketing emails

   To do this you’ll need to ensure you can point/delegate the NS records (name servers) of your domain to Dotdigital. Not all hosting services allow this ability so check with your provider. 

   If you use a proxy service (like Cloudflare's proxy feature) you won't be able to delegate your domains to Dotdigital.

   
   

   Name	Example Domain	NS Records
   Dotdigital Custom From Address	Pick a look-a-like domain, for example: email-yourwebsite.com	You’ll need to set the DNS records as listed on the Dotdigital Help Center:  Delegate a subdomain to our servers.

   
   
   
3. Ask Dotdigital to purchase and run a new domain on your behalf (UK, Ireland and US organisations only)

   
   This option is best if you can’t delegate name servers or switch off any proxy features you have set up on your domain.

   
   

   Name	Example Domain	NS Records
   Dotdigital Custom From Address	Pick a look-a-like domain, for example: email-yourwebsite.com There is an annual cost to cover the hosting. This is different depending on the domain (For example, .com,.org,.net,.co.uk).	No set up required

   Dotdigital will set up and maintain email authentication (consisting of SPF, DKIM and DMARC records) on the domains once they have been delegated. Dotdigital’s authentication information can be found on the Dotdigital Help Center: Understanding Email Authentication.

   TIP:  SPF and DKIM references can’t be changed, however, DMARC policy information can be customised within certain parameters. If you'd like to change the DMARC policy or add additional reporting addresses, contact our support team for help.

Adding Additional Custom From addresses

There is a cost associated with each additional Custom From Address added to your Dotdigital account. To get the latest prices contact our support team. 

TIP: Friendly from names can be used as a free alternative to change the appearance of the name of the sender. Your friendly from name will appear in the customer’s inbox and can be used in a split test experiment or personalised.

Further Reading

To continue learning about Web Integrations, take a look at the Integrate your Website with Spektrix category on the Support Centre.