Custom Domains – Advanced Publishing Options

Elevate Your Brand with Professional Custom Domain Integration #

Custom domains transform your FORMEPIC forms from generic URLs into branded, professional web experiences that build trust and credibility. Instead of sharing formepic.app/form/abc123, you can use yourdomain.com/contact or forms.yourbusiness.com/survey—instantly recognizable, memorable, and aligned with your brand identity. Custom domains are essential for businesses that want to maintain consistent branding, increase form completion rates, and establish professional credibility with their audience.

FORMEPIC makes custom domain integration straightforward with automated DNS validation, SSL certificate provisioning, and real-time verification status. Whether you’re using your primary domain or a subdomain specifically for forms, the setup process is designed to be accessible even if you’re not technically inclined. Once configured, your forms automatically load on your custom domain, and FORMEPIC handles all the backend infrastructure—SSL certificates auto-renew, forms stay fast and secure, and submissions continue flowing to your dashboard seamlessly.

The benefit? Your brand stays front and center throughout the entire form experience. Visitors trust forms on your own domain more than third-party URLs, leading to higher completion rates and better data quality. You maintain control over your web presence, improve SEO by hosting form content on your domain, and create a cohesive digital experience that reinforces your professional image at every touchpoint.

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What Custom Domains Are and Benefits #

Understanding Custom Domains #

A custom domain allows you to display your FORMEPIC forms on your own domain name rather than the default formepic.app domain.

Standard FORMEPIC URL:

https://formepic.app/form/abc123-your-form-id

Custom Domain URL:

https://yourdomain.com/contact
https://forms.yourbusiness.com/survey
https://apply.yourcompany.com/application

How It Works:

1. You own a domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
2. You add this domain to FORMEPIC’s custom domain settings
3. FORMEPIC provides DNS records (CNAME) to add to your domain registrar
4. Once verified, your form loads on your custom domain
5. FORMEPIC handles SSL certificates, hosting, and infrastructure
6. Visitors see your branded URL throughout the form experience

Domain vs. Subdomain:

• Root domain: yourdomain.com (your main website address)
• Subdomain: forms.yourdomain.com or contact.yourdomain.com (a prefix before your main domain)

Most users set up a subdomain for forms (e.g., forms.yourdomain.com) while keeping their main domain (yourdomain.com) for their primary website. This provides clear separation and easier management.

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Benefits of Custom Domains #

1. Brand Consistency
Your forms appear on your domain, maintaining your brand identity throughout the user journey. No jarring transition to a third-party URL.

2. Increased Trust and Credibility
Visitors are more likely to complete forms on domains they recognize. Forms on yourbusiness.com feel more legitimate than formepic.app/form/xyz.

3. Improved Conversion Rates
Studies show that branded URLs increase form completion rates by 20-30% compared to generic third-party domains.

4. Professional Appearance
Custom domains signal professionalism and investment in your digital presence, especially important for B2B, financial services, healthcare, and legal industries.

5. SEO Benefits
Content on your own domain can contribute to your site’s SEO performance. Forms with valuable content (surveys, research) may rank in search engines under your domain.

6. Easier to Remember and Share
yourdomain.com/contact is much easier to remember and type than formepic.app/form/a1b2c3d4e5.

7. Email Deliverability
Emails sent from forms on your custom domain (e.g., notifications, confirmations) may have better deliverability since they’re associated with your verified domain.

8. Control and Portability
If you ever migrate away from FORMEPIC, you retain control over your domain and can redirect it to a new platform without broken links.

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Adding a New Custom Domain #

Prerequisites #

Before adding a custom domain to FORMEPIC, ensure you have:

1. A Registered Domain Name
You must own a domain (purchased from GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.). If you don’t have one, register a domain first.

2. Access to Your Domain’s DNS Settings
You’ll need login access to your domain registrar’s control panel to add DNS records. If someone else manages your domain (IT department, web developer), coordinate with them.

3. A Published Form
Your form must be published (have a submit button or payment field) before you can add a custom domain.

4. (Optional) Choose a Subdomain
Decide if you want to use your root domain (yourdomain.com) or a subdomain (forms.yourdomain.com, contact.yourdomain.com). Subdomains are recommended for easier management.

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Step-by-Step: Adding Your Custom Domain #

Step 1: Access Custom Domains

1. Open your form in the Form Builder
2. Click the Publish button (globe icon) in the top right
3. Navigate to the Custom Domains tab (fifth tab)
4. Click Add a new domain button

Step 2: Enter Your Domain

1. A dialog box appears titled “Add Custom Domain”
2. Enter your domain or subdomain in the input field:

• Example: forms.yourbusiness.com
• Or: yourbusiness.com (if using root domain)

1. Do not include http:// or https:// — just the domain name
2. Click Next or Add Domain

Step 3: Review DNS Instructions
FORMEPIC will display the DNS records you need to add to your domain registrar. You’ll see:

• Record Type: CNAME
• Host/Name: Your subdomain (e.g., forms) or @ for root domain
• Value/Points To: A FORMEPIC-specific address (e.g., cname.formepic.app)
• TTL: 3600 (or Auto)

Step 4: Copy DNS Records
Click the Copy button next to each DNS record field (Host, Value) to copy to your clipboard. You’ll paste these into your domain registrar’s DNS settings.

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Domain Validation Requirements #

What is Domain Validation? #

Domain validation is the process of proving you own and control the domain you’re adding to FORMEPIC. This is necessary to prevent unauthorized use of domains and to enable SSL certificate provisioning.

Validation Method:
FORMEPIC uses DNS-based validation. You prove ownership by adding a CNAME record to your domain’s DNS settings. FORMEPIC then checks if the record exists and points to the correct address.

What Happens During Validation:

1. You add the CNAME record to your domain registrar
2. DNS changes propagate across the internet (can take 5 minutes to 72 hours)
3. FORMEPIC periodically checks for the CNAME record
4. Once detected, the domain status changes to “Verified”
5. FORMEPIC provisions an SSL certificate for your domain
6. Your form becomes accessible on your custom domain

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Validation Timeline #

Typical Timeline:

• Immediate to 15 minutes: Fast DNS providers (Cloudflare, AWS Route 53)
• 1-4 hours: Most domain registrars (GoDaddy, Namecheap)
• Up to 72 hours: Slower DNS providers or if there are configuration issues

72-Hour Validation Window:
If your domain is not verified within 72 hours of adding it to FORMEPIC, the configuration expires and you’ll need to restart the process. This is a security measure to prevent incomplete setups.

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DNS Configuration (CNAME Setup) #

Understanding CNAME Records #

What is a CNAME?
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS record that points your domain or subdomain to another domain. Think of it as a forwarding address.

Example:
When you create a CNAME record:

• Host: forms (creates forms.yourdomain.com)
• Points To: cname.formepic.app

This tells the internet: “When someone visits forms.yourdomain.com, direct them to cname.formepic.app, which handles the request and displays the FORMEPIC form.”

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Adding CNAME Records to Your Domain Registrar #

The exact steps vary by registrar, but the general process is similar. Below are instructions for popular providers.

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GoDaddy #

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account at godaddy.com
2. Navigate to My Products → Domains
3. Click the domain you want to configure
4. Click DNS or Manage DNS
5. Scroll to the Records section
6. Click Add (or Add Record)
7. Select Type: CNAME
8. Name/Host: Enter your subdomain (e.g., forms) or @ for root domain
9. Value/Points To: Paste the FORMEPIC-provided address (e.g., cname.formepic.app)
10. TTL: Leave as default (3600 or 1 hour)
11. Click Save
12. Wait 15-60 minutes for DNS propagation

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Namecheap #

1. Log in to your Namecheap account at namecheap.com
2. Go to Domain List → Click Manage next to your domain
3. Click Advanced DNS tab
4. Under Host Records, click Add New Record
5. Type: Select CNAME Record
6. Host: Enter your subdomain (e.g., forms) or @ for root domain
7. Value: Paste the FORMEPIC address (e.g., cname.formepic.app)
8. TTL: Leave as Automatic or 3600
9. Click the green checkmark to save
10. Wait 30-60 minutes for DNS propagation

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Cloudflare #

1. Log in to Cloudflare at cloudflare.com
2. Select your domain from the dashboard
3. Click DNS in the left sidebar
4. Click Add record
5. Type: Select CNAME
6. Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., forms) or @ for root domain
7. Target: Paste the FORMEPIC address (e.g., cname.formepic.app)
8. Proxy status: Set to DNS only (gray cloud icon, not orange)

• ⚠️ Important: Do not proxy through Cloudflare initially; this can interfere with validation

1. TTL: Auto
2. Click Save
3. Wait 5-15 minutes for DNS propagation

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Google Domains (now Squarespace Domains) #

1. Log in to domains.google.com or Squarespace
2. Click your domain
3. Click DNS in the left menu
4. Scroll to Custom resource records
5. Name: Enter your subdomain (e.g., forms) or leave blank for root domain
6. Type: Select CNAME
7. TTL: 3600
8. Data: Paste the FORMEPIC address (e.g., cname.formepic.app)
9. Click Add
10. Wait 15-60 minutes for DNS propagation

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Other Registrars (General Instructions) #

If your domain registrar isn’t listed above:

1. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel
2. Look for “DNS Settings”, “DNS Management”, “Name Servers”, or “Advanced DNS”
3. Find the section for adding DNS records (usually labeled “Add Record” or “Custom Records”)
4. Select CNAME as the record type
5. Enter your subdomain in the Host/Name field
6. Paste the FORMEPIC address in the Value/Points To/Target field
7. Set TTL to 3600 or leave as default
8. Save the record
9. Wait for DNS propagation (check status in FORMEPIC after 15-60 minutes)

Need Help?
Most domain registrars have support documentation. Search for “[Your Registrar Name] add CNAME record” in Google for specific instructions.

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Copying DNS Records (Type, Host, Value) #

DNS Record Fields Explained #

When adding a custom domain, FORMEPIC displays the DNS records you need to add. Here’s what each field means:

Type:

• The DNS record type (always CNAME for FORMEPIC custom domains)
• Some registrars may also support ALIAS or ANAME records for root domains

Host / Name:

• The subdomain prefix (e.g., forms for forms.yourdomain.com)
• Use @ or leave blank if configuring the root domain (yourdomain.com)
• Do not include your full domain — just the prefix

Value / Points To / Target:

• The FORMEPIC server address your domain should point to
• Typically looks like: cname.formepic.app or a similar address
• Do not modify this value — copy exactly as displayed

TTL (Time to Live):

• How long DNS servers cache the record before checking for updates
• Usually 3600 seconds (1 hour) or “Auto”
• Lower TTL = faster updates but more DNS queries
• You can leave this as default

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How to Copy DNS Records #

Method 1: Click the Copy Button
FORMEPIC displays a Copy button next to each DNS field:

1. Click the Copy button next to Host
2. Paste the value into your registrar’s DNS settings
3. Click the Copy button next to Value
4. Paste into your registrar’s DNS settings
5. Repeat for any additional records

Method 2: Manual Copy
If copy buttons aren’t working:

1. Highlight the text in the Host field
2. Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac)
3. Paste into your registrar’s DNS settings
4. Repeat for the Value field

⚠️ Copying Tips:

• Copy the entire value — partial copies cause validation to fail
• Watch for trailing spaces or line breaks when pasting
• Some registrars auto-append your domain to the Host field; if so, only enter the subdomain prefix

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Verifying Domain Status #

Understanding Status Badges #

Once you add a custom domain in FORMEPIC, it displays a status badge indicating the current verification state:

Status Badge Colors and Meanings:

Status	Badge Color	Meaning
Verified	Green	DNS records detected, SSL provisioned, domain active
Pending	Yellow/Orange	Awaiting DNS propagation or verification
Unsuccessful	Red	Verification failed or configuration error

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Status: Verified #

What It Means:
Your domain has been successfully verified, an SSL certificate has been provisioned, and your form is now accessible on your custom domain.

What You Can Do:

• Visit your custom domain URL to see your form live
• Share the custom domain URL with your audience
• Edit your form, and changes automatically appear on the custom domain
• Monitor responses in your FORMEPIC dashboard (submissions are the same regardless of access method)

SSL Certificate:
FORMEPIC automatically provisions a free SSL certificate (via Let’s Encrypt) for your custom domain. This means your form is accessible via https:// (secure connection), not just http://.

Certificate Auto-Renewal:
SSL certificates auto-renew every 90 days. You don’t need to do anything—FORMEPIC handles renewals automatically.

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Status: Pending #

What It Means:
Your domain has been added to FORMEPIC, but DNS records are not yet detected or verification is in progress.

Why This Happens:

• DNS changes can take time to propagate (5 minutes to 72 hours)
• You recently added the CNAME record and it hasn’t propagated yet
• DNS cache on your ISP or device is outdated

What You Should Do:

1. Wait patiently: Most domains verify within 15-60 minutes
2. Verify you added the CNAME record correctly in your domain registrar
3. Check for typos in the Host or Value fields
4. Clear your DNS cache (optional, for advanced users):

• Windows: Open Command Prompt, run ipconfig /flushdns
• Mac: Open Terminal, run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

1. Check again in 1-4 hours

Pending Timeout:
If status remains “Pending” for more than 72 hours, the configuration expires and you’ll need to restart the verification process (see “Start Again” below).

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Status: Unsuccessful #

What It Means:
FORMEPIC attempted to verify your domain but could not detect the CNAME record or encountered a configuration error.

Common Causes:

1. CNAME record not added or added incorrectly
2. Typo in Host or Value fields
3. DNS record deleted or overwritten by another change
4. Conflicting DNS records (e.g., an A record for the same subdomain)
5. DNS not fully propagated (try “Start Again” to retry)

What You Should Do:

1. Re-check your domain registrar’s DNS settings

• Confirm the CNAME record exists
• Verify the Host and Value match exactly what FORMEPIC provided

1. Remove conflicting records

• If there’s an A record for the same subdomain, delete it
• Ensure only the CNAME record exists for that host

1. Use a DNS checker tool like whatsmydns.net

• Enter your subdomain (e.g., forms.yourdomain.com)
• Select “CNAME” as the record type
• Check if the CNAME points to the FORMEPIC address globally

1. Click “Start Again” to retry verification (see below)

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Troubleshooting Expired Configurations (72-Hour Limit) #

What is the 72-Hour Limit? #

FORMEPIC enforces a 72-hour (3-day) validation window for custom domain setup. If your domain is not verified within 72 hours of being added, the configuration is marked as expired.

Why This Limit Exists:

• Security: Prevents indefinite pending states that could be exploited
• Resource management: Avoids cluttering the system with incomplete setups
• User experience: Prompts you to revisit and fix issues rather than forgetting about the setup

What Happens After 72 Hours:

• The domain status changes to “Expired” or “Unsuccessful”
• The custom domain does not become active
• You must restart the configuration process

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How to “Start Again” #

If your custom domain configuration expires or fails, you can restart the verification process:

Step-by-Step:

1. Open your form in the Form Builder
2. Click Publish → Custom Domains
3. Find the expired or unsuccessful domain in the list
4. Click Start Again button (or Retry / Re-verify)
5. FORMEPIC re-checks the DNS records
6. If records are correct, status changes to “Verified”
7. If records are still incorrect, status remains “Unsuccessful” — fix DNS settings and try again

How Many Times Can You Retry?
You can click “Start Again” as many times as needed. Each retry initiates a new verification check.

Best Practice:
Before clicking “Start Again,” ensure you’ve:

• Verified the CNAME record is added correctly
• Waited at least 1 hour since adding the record (for DNS propagation)
• Checked for conflicting DNS records
• Used a DNS checker tool to confirm propagation

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Managing Multiple Custom Domains #

Can You Add Multiple Domains to One Form? #

Yes! FORMEPIC allows you to add multiple custom domains to a single form. This is useful if you want the same form accessible via different URLs.

Use Cases for Multiple Domains:

• Regional domains: us.yourbusiness.com/contact and eu.yourbusiness.com/contact
• Brand aliases: yourbrand.com/survey and yourbrandname.com/survey
• Campaign-specific domains: event.yourbusiness.com/register and promo.yourbusiness.com/register
• Legacy domains: Keep old domain working while transitioning to a new one

How It Works:
All custom domains point to the same form. Responses submitted via any domain appear in the same FORMEPIC dashboard. You cannot distinguish which domain a submission came from unless you add tracking parameters.

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Adding a Second (or Third) Custom Domain #

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to Publish → Custom Domains
2. Click Add a new domain (even if you already have one)
3. Enter your second domain (e.g., apply.yourbusiness.com)
4. Follow the DNS configuration process for this domain
5. Verify the second domain (same steps as the first)
6. Both domains now display your form

Managing Multiple Domains:
The Custom Domains panel displays all domains you’ve added:

• Domain name
• Status badge (Verified, Pending, Unsuccessful)
• Date added
• Actions (View DNS, Start Again, Delete)

Removing a Custom Domain:
If you no longer need a custom domain:

1. Click the Delete button (trash icon) next to the domain
2. Confirm deletion
3. The domain is removed from FORMEPIC
4. (Optional) Delete the CNAME record from your domain registrar to fully clean up

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Tracking Which Domain Submissions Come From #

FORMEPIC does not automatically track which custom domain a form submission originated from. However, you can implement tracking manually using URL parameters:

Example:

• Domain 1: forms.yourbusiness.com/survey?source=primary
• Domain 2: apply.yourbusiness.com/survey?source=event

Then filter responses by the source parameter in your analytics or exports.

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Tips & Tricks #

Use Subdomains Instead of Root Domains:
Setting up a subdomain (e.g., forms.yourbusiness.com) is easier and more flexible than using your root domain (yourbusiness.com). Subdomains allow you to keep your main website separate and avoid DNS conflicts.

Choose Memorable Subdomain Names:
Pick subdomain names that are intuitive and action-oriented:

• apply.yourbusiness.com (for job applications)
• contact.yourbusiness.com (for contact forms)
• survey.yourbusiness.com (for surveys)
• register.yourbusiness.com (for event registrations)

Set TTL to 3600 (1 Hour):
When adding CNAME records, set TTL to 3600 seconds (1 hour). This balances fast propagation with reduced DNS query load.

Use Cloudflare for Faster Propagation:
If your domain is managed by Cloudflare, DNS changes propagate within minutes instead of hours. Consider migrating your domain to Cloudflare if you frequently make DNS changes.

Check DNS Propagation Globally:
Use whatsmydns.net to check if your CNAME record has propagated globally. This helps diagnose issues if verification is taking longer than expected.

Coordinate With Your IT Team:
If your domain is managed by an IT department or web developer, send them the DNS records from FORMEPIC and ask them to add the CNAME. Provide this documentation link for reference.

Keep DNS Records Organized:
Add a description or comment in your DNS settings (if your registrar supports it) to remind yourself why the CNAME exists:

Host: forms
Value: cname.formepic.app
Comment: FORMEPIC custom domain for contact form

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Important Notes #

SSL Certificates Are Automatic:
FORMEPIC provisions SSL certificates automatically once your domain is verified. You don’t need to purchase or configure SSL separately.

SSL Certificates Auto-Renew:
SSL certificates renew automatically every 90 days. You don’t need to take any action.

Changes to Forms Update Automatically:
Any changes you make to your form in the builder automatically appear on your custom domain. No need to republish or reconfigure.

Custom Domains Don’t Expire:
Once verified, custom domains remain active indefinitely (unless you delete them or the CNAME record is removed).

You Can Remove Custom Domains Anytime:
If you no longer need a custom domain, delete it from FORMEPIC and remove the CNAME from your domain registrar.

DNS Changes Can Take Time:
Be patient with DNS propagation. Some registrars are faster than others, but 72 hours is the maximum you should wait.

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Common Issues & Troubleshooting #

“My domain shows ‘Pending’ for over 24 hours” #

Cause: DNS propagation is slow or CNAME record is incorrect.

Solution:

1. Use whatsmydns.net to check CNAME propagation
2. Verify the CNAME record in your registrar matches FORMEPIC’s requirements exactly
3. Check for typos in Host or Value fields
4. Ensure you didn’t include https:// or http:// in the domain name
5. Wait up to 72 hours total before taking further action

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“Status changed to ‘Unsuccessful’ — what should I do?” #

Cause: CNAME record not detected or incorrectly configured.

Solution:

1. Log in to your domain registrar
2. Verify the CNAME record exists and is correct
3. Remove any conflicting A records or AAAA records for the same subdomain
4. Save changes and wait 30 minutes
5. Click Start Again in FORMEPIC to retry verification

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“I see ‘SSL certificate error’ when visiting my custom domain” #

Cause: SSL certificate provisioning is in progress or failed.

Solution:

1. Wait 15-30 minutes after domain verification for SSL provisioning
2. Try visiting the URL in an incognito/private browser window (clears cache)
3. If error persists after 1 hour, click Start Again in FORMEPIC
4. If still unresolved, check that your CNAME points to the correct FORMEPIC address (not an IP address)

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“Can I use my root domain (without a subdomain)?” #

Cause: Confusion about root domain vs. subdomain setup.

Solution:
Yes, but it’s more complex. Most domain registrars require CNAME records to point to subdomains, not root domains. Some registrars support ALIAS or ANAME records for root domains. Check your registrar’s documentation or contact their support for guidance.

Recommendation: Use a subdomain (e.g., forms.yourdomain.com) for easier setup and fewer conflicts with your main website.

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“My domain registrar doesn’t support CNAME records” #

Cause: Highly unlikely—most registrars support CNAME records.

Solution:

1. Re-check your registrar’s DNS management panel—look for “Custom DNS” or “Advanced DNS”
2. Contact your registrar’s support team and ask how to add a CNAME record
3. If truly unsupported (rare), consider transferring your domain to a registrar that supports modern DNS standards (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)

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“I deleted the CNAME record by accident—how do I restore it?” #

Cause: Accidental deletion of DNS records.

Solution:

1. Go back to FORMEPIC → Publish → Custom Domains
2. Click on the custom domain to view DNS instructions
3. Copy the CNAME record details again
4. Re-add the CNAME record in your domain registrar
5. Wait for DNS propagation
6. Click Start Again in FORMEPIC to retry verification

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“Custom domain works, but my main website broke” #

Cause: You may have accidentally modified the root domain’s DNS records.

Solution:

1. Log in to your domain registrar
2. Check the DNS records for your root domain (@ or blank Host)
3. Ensure you didn’t overwrite the A record for your main website
4. If you used a subdomain for FORMEPIC, your main website should be unaffected
5. Restore any accidentally deleted records from your registrar’s DNS history (if available)

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“How do I remove a custom domain?” #

Cause: You no longer need the custom domain connected to FORMEPIC.

Solution:

1. Go to Publish → Custom Domains
2. Find the domain you want to remove
3. Click the Delete button (trash icon)
4. Confirm deletion
5. (Optional) Log in to your domain registrar and delete the CNAME record to fully clean up
6. Your form remains accessible via the default formepic.app URL

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“Can I use the same custom domain for multiple forms?” #

Cause: You want to host different forms on the same domain.

Solution:
No, each custom domain can only point to one form. However, you can use subdomains or subdirectories to organize multiple forms:

• contact.yourdomain.com → Form 1
• survey.yourdomain.com → Form 2
• apply.yourdomain.com → Form 3

Each subdomain requires a separate CNAME record and is configured individually in FORMEPIC.