This guide explains how to configure custom domains for your Affelios affiliate program. As an operator, you can set up three types of custom domains to improve your program’s performance and reduce the likelihood of ads being blocked by ad blockers.
Custom Domain Overview
Three Domain Types
Affelios allows you to configure three different types of custom domains, each serving a specific purpose in your affiliate program infrastructure.
Domain Types Explained
Platform Domain (White-labeling)
Platform Domain (White-labeling)
Purpose: Complete white-labeling of your affiliate program interfaceBenefits:
- Your affiliate portal appears under your own domain (e.g.,
affiliates.yourcompany.com) - Complete brand consistency for affiliate experience
- Professional appearance that builds trust
- Seamless integration with your existing website structure
- Main affiliate program landing page
- Affiliate dashboard and account management
- Program information and resources
- Branded affiliate portal experience
Click Domain (Tracking Links)
Click Domain (Tracking Links)
Purpose: Custom domain for affiliate tracking links and redirectsBenefits:
- Affiliate links use your domain instead of default Affelios domains
- Reduced risk of link blocking by ad blockers and security filters
- Better click-through rates due to trusted domain appearance
- Consistent branding in affiliate marketing materials
- Affiliate tracking link redirects
- Campaign-specific landing pages
- Product promotion links
- Marketing campaign URLs
Ad Server Domain (Media Assets)
Ad Server Domain (Media Assets)
Purpose: Custom domain for serving marketing assets and media contentBenefits:
- Media assets served from your domain instead of third-party servers
- Reduced ad blocking of banners, images, and HTML5 creatives
- Better performance and reliability for affiliate marketing materials
- Complete control over media asset delivery
- Banner advertisements
- Product images and graphics
- HTML5 creative assets
- Marketing materials and promotional content
Why Configure Custom Domains?
Ad Blocker Prevention
Configuring custom domains is highly recommended to reduce the likelihood of your affiliate marketing materials being blocked by ad blockers and security filters.
Benefits of Custom Domain Configuration
Ad Blocker Avoidance
Ad Blocker Avoidance
Reduced Blocking Risk:
- Ad blockers often target known affiliate network domains
- Custom domains appear as first-party content to users
- Lower chance of being flagged by browser security features
- Improved delivery rates for affiliate marketing materials
- First-party domain status improves trust scores
- Better compatibility with browser security policies
- Reduced false positives from security scanning
- Enhanced user experience without blocking interruptions
Brand Consistency
Brand Consistency
Professional Appearance:
- All affiliate touchpoints use your branded domains
- Consistent user experience across all interactions
- Enhanced credibility and trust with affiliates
- Seamless integration with your existing brand presence
- Affiliates more likely to promote with trusted domains
- Better conversion rates due to domain familiarity
- Improved affiliate recruitment and retention
- Enhanced program reputation in affiliate networks
Performance Optimization
Performance Optimization
Technical Performance:
- Faster loading times with optimized domain configuration
- Better caching and CDN integration possibilities
- Reduced latency for affiliate link redirects
- Improved reliability and uptime for media assets
- Cleaner analytics data with first-party domains
- Better tracking accuracy and attribution
- Reduced data loss from blocked requests
- More reliable performance metrics
Domain Configuration Process
Setup Steps
Follow these steps to configure each type of custom domain for your affiliate program.
Platform Domain Setup
1
Access Domain Settings
Navigate to Program Settings > Domains in your Affelios dashboard.
2
Add Platform Domain
Click “Add Platform Domain” and enter your desired hostname (e.g.,
affiliates.yourcompany.com).3
Configure DNS Records
Add the provided DNS records to your domain registrar. These typically include CNAME and A records.
4
Validate Configuration
Click “Validate” to verify DNS propagation and configuration.
5
Complete Setup
Mark the platform domain setup as complete once validation succeeds.
Click Domain Setup
1
Add Click Domain
In the same domain settings area, click “Add Click Domain” for tracking links.
2
Enter Click Domain
Specify your click domain (e.g.,
go.yourcompany.com or track.yourcompany.com).3
Configure DNS
Add the required DNS records for click domain functionality.
4
Test Links
Validate that affiliate tracking links properly redirect through your custom domain.
Ad Server Domain Setup
1
Add Ad Server Domain
Click “Add Ad Server Domain” for media asset delivery.
2
Specify Media Domain
Enter your media domain (e.g.,
media.yourcompany.com or assets.yourcompany.com).3
Configure DNS Records
Add the necessary DNS configuration for media asset serving.
4
Upload Test Assets
Upload a test media asset to verify proper serving from your custom domain.
DNS Configuration Details
DNS Requirements
Understanding the DNS configuration requirements for each domain type ensures successful setup and optimal performance.
DNS Propagation Timeline
DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours depending on your domain provider, geographic location, and DNS caching. Most changes propagate within 15-30 minutes.
- Domain registrar and DNS provider
- Geographic location of users
- DNS caching at various levels
- TTL (Time To Live) settings
Best Practices & Recommendations
Domain Strategy
Follow these best practices to maximize the benefits of custom domain configuration and minimize potential issues.
Domain Naming Conventions
Platform Domain
Platform Domain
Recommended Patterns:
affiliates.yourcompany.com- Clear affiliate program identificationpartners.yourcompany.com- Partnership-focused brandingprogram.yourcompany.com- Simple and direct
- Generic names that don’t reflect your brand
- Confusing or misleading subdomain choices
- Names that conflict with existing services
Click Domain
Click Domain
Recommended Patterns:
refer.yourcompany.com- Short and memorableredirect.yourcompany.com- Clear tracking purpose
- Keep URLs short for better user experience
- Use memorable subdomains for affiliate sharing
- Ensure consistency with your brand voice
Ad Server Domain
Ad Server Domain
Recommended Patterns:
media.yourcompany.com- Clear media asset purposeassets.yourcompany.com- Asset-focused namingcdn.yourcompany.com- Content delivery emphasis
- Choose names that reflect technical purpose
- Consider future scalability and expansion
- Ensure compatibility with your existing infrastructure
Security Considerations
Always ensure you have proper administrative access to your domain’s DNS settings before beginning the configuration process. Incorrect DNS configuration can temporarily disrupt your website or services.
- Use strong, unique verification codes for each domain
- Regularly monitor DNS configuration for unauthorized changes
- Implement proper access controls for DNS management
- Keep domain registration information up to date
Troubleshooting Domain Issues
Common Problems & Solutions
Address frequently encountered issues during custom domain setup and configuration.
DNS Configuration Issues
Validation Failures
Validation Failures
Symptoms:
- Domain validation fails repeatedly
- “DNS records not found” error messages
- Timeout errors during validation process
- Double-check DNS record syntax and values
- Verify record types match requirements exactly
- Wait longer for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
- Check for typos in domain names or record values
- Ensure DNS changes were saved and published
Slow Propagation
Slow Propagation
Symptoms:
- Validation works intermittently
- Some users can access domains while others cannot
- Inconsistent behavior across different locations
- Wait for full DNS propagation (typically 15-30 minutes)
- Check DNS propagation status using online tools
- Verify TTL settings are appropriate for your needs
- Consider geographic differences in propagation timing
Access Permission Issues
Access Permission Issues
Symptoms:
- Cannot modify DNS records
- “Access denied” errors during setup
- Domain ownership verification failures
- Ensure you have administrative access to domain DNS
- Verify domain ownership and registration details
- Check if domain is locked or has transfer restrictions
- Contact your domain registrar for assistance if needed
Performance Issues
Slow Loading Times
Slow Loading Times
Symptoms:
- Custom domains load slower than expected
- Media assets take longer to serve
- Affiliate links redirect slowly
- Check DNS resolution speed and accuracy
- Verify CDN configuration and geographic distribution
- Monitor server response times and performance metrics
- Consider DNS optimization services if needed
Intermittent Failures
Intermittent Failures
Symptoms:
- Domains work sometimes but not others
- Random access failures or timeouts
- Inconsistent behavior across different times
- Monitor DNS resolution consistency
- Check for DNS server outages or issues
- Verify domain registrar service status
- Review server logs for error patterns
Monitoring & Maintenance
Ongoing Domain Management
Regular monitoring and maintenance ensure your custom domains continue to perform optimally and provide the expected benefits.
Regular Monitoring Tasks
1
DNS Health Checks
Monitor DNS resolution and propagation status regularly to ensure domains are working correctly.
2
Performance Monitoring
Track loading times, response rates, and user experience metrics for all custom domains.
3
Security Audits
Regularly review domain configuration and access controls to maintain security.
4
Certificate Management
Monitor SSL certificate status and renewal requirements for all custom domains.
Maintenance Best Practices
Regular Reviews
Regular Reviews
Monthly Tasks:
- Review domain performance metrics and analytics
- Check for any DNS configuration changes or issues
- Monitor affiliate feedback about domain experience
- Verify all domains are resolving correctly
- Comprehensive security review of domain configuration
- Performance optimization and tuning
- Review and update domain naming conventions if needed
- Assess need for additional domains or configuration changes
Documentation Updates
Documentation Updates
Keep Records Current:
- Document all domain configurations and purposes
- Maintain list of DNS records and their purposes
- Update team documentation when changes are made
- Keep domain registrar and contact information current
Next Steps
Advanced Domain Configuration
Once you’ve successfully configured your custom domains, consider these advanced features and optimizations to further enhance your affiliate program.
- Setup Guide - Complete program setup including domain configuration
- Tracking Implementation - Advanced tracking setup with custom domains
- Media Management - Optimizing media assets with custom domains
- API Documentation - Programmatic domain management
- Subdomain management for different program segments
- Geographic domain optimization for global programs
- Advanced DNS configuration for performance optimization
- Integration with external CDN services
Start with configuring the platform domain first, as it provides the most immediate branding benefits. Then add click and ad server domains as your program grows and you identify specific needs for improved performance and ad blocker avoidance.