This article explains how to configure a custom, branded URL for your ClearPoint dashboard (e.g., dashboard.metropolis.gov) instead of using the default ClearPoint domain (e.g., metropolis.clearpointstrategy.com).
Custom URLs provide a more seamless, branded experience for your users and stakeholders.
To enable a custom URL, you will need to add two DNS records in your domain host:
A CNAME record – points your custom URL to ClearPoint
A TXT record – verifies domain ownership so ClearPoint can issue a secure SSL certificate
🌐 Step 1: Add a CNAME Record
A CNAME (canonical name) creates an alias that points your custom domain to ClearPoint.
For example:
Your custom URL:
dashboard.ascendantsmg.comClearPoint hostname:
ascendantsmg.clearpointstrategy.com
In this case, the CNAME record for dashboard.ascendantsmg.com should point to
ascendantsmg.clearpointstrategy.com.
General steps for adding a CNAME
Because every hosting provider is different, the exact steps vary, but the process is usually:
Log into your domain host.
Open DNS Management / Zone Editor / DNS Settings.
Choose Add Record.
Select CNAME as the record type.
Enter your desired hostname (e.g.,
dashboard).Set the Value (Points To) to your ClearPoint hostname.
Save your changes.
How to add a CNAME record in AWS?
Log into your AWS account.
Go to Registered domain and click on your domain name.
Click on Manage DNS and then on your domain name. A list of DNS records will appear.
Click on Create Record Set. A new interface will open.
Fill in the needed fields, including the Name, Type, TTL, Value, and Routing Policy. Select the Alias option as No.
Click on Create.
That’s it. A new CNAME record will be added.
How to add a CNAME record in GoDaddy?
Sign into your GoDaddy account.
Go to the list of your domain and names and click on the domain name you want to access. The Domain Settings page will open.
Click on Manage DNS to open the zone file. Now, click on Add and set the type to CNAME.
Enter the CNAME record details, including the Name, Value, and TTL. Then, click on Add Record to save the CNAME record.
That’s it. The CNAME record will be updated in less than 48 hours.
How to add a CNAME record in Google Domain via Google Cloud?
Head to the Cloud Identity Setup Wizard and copy the CNAME record.
Visit your domain host website and log into your domain’s account.
Select the domain, and go to the section containing the domain’s DNS records. This section could be called Manage DNS, DNS Management, Name Server Management, etc.
Find the CNAME records for the domain.
Paste the CNAME record you copied earlier in the records section.
Save your changes.
Depending on the domain host, the changes could take up to 72 hours to reflect.
How to add a CNAME record in HostGator?
Follow these steps to add a CNAME record in Hostgator:
Log into your Hostgator control panel.
Head to Domains, and then click on Zone Editor.
Click on the + CNAME Record button.
Enter the needed details, including the Name and CNAME.
Click on Add a CNAME Record to save the changes.
That’s it. Your CNAME record will be created.
If you’re a Web Hosting Manager or Plesk user, visit this page for specific steps to add CNAME records.
How to add a CNAME record in Bluehost?
Follow these steps to create a CNAME record in Bluehost:
Log into your Bluehost hosting account.
For the Legacy interface, go to the Domains section and click on DNS Zone Editor. For the Rock interface, go to Domains and click on Zone Editor.
Select your domain name. Then, scroll down and click on Add DNS Record.
Enter the record name in the Host Record field.
Click on the Type drop-down menu and click on CNAME.
Enter the URL that the CNAME record should point to in the Points To field.
Update the other fields as needed or leave them to default.
Click on Add Record to save the changes.
That’s all. The new CNAME record will be added.
How to add a CNAME record in Namecheap?
Follow these steps to create a CNAME record in Namecheap:
Sign in to your Namecheap account.
Head to Domain List from the left side menu. Find the domain name and click on the Manage button next to it.
Go to Advanced DNS and click on Add New Record.
Select the Type as CNAME Record and fill in the Host, Value, and TTL fields.
Click on Save All Changes.
That’s it. The new CNAME Record will be created.
How to add a CNAME record in Hetzner?
Log into your Hetzner account.
Select the DNS zone for which you want to create a CNAME record.
Click on Records and select the type CNAME from the dropdown menu.
Fill in the needed fields, including the Host, Alias, and TTL.
Click on Add record to create the record.
The newly created record will be visible in the record list.
How to add a CNAME record in Cloudflare?
Log into your Cloudflare dashboard.
Select your domain from the top-left dropdown menu.
Head to the DNS settings page.
Click on the Add Record button beside the Search DNS bar. Enter the record details and select the type CNAME.
Click on Add Record to save the record.
The new CNAME record will appear in the DNS records list.
How to add a CNAME record in WordPress?
Visit your site’s dashboard and navigate to Upgrades → Domains to view all the domains associated with that site:
Click on the domain and then click on DNS records.
Here, you will find a list of the current DNS records. You can then click on the Manage button to make changes.
Click on the Add a record button in the upper right corner.
Click on the Type dropdown to select the type of DNS record you wish to add. Choose CNAME.
Fill in the remaining information including Name, Host, and Value.
The new CNAME record will appear in the DNS records list.
⏱️ Propagation time: DNS changes may take anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours to apply, depending on your provider.
If you need provider-specific help
Your domain host will have documentation for adding DNS records.
Search for “Add CNAME record” in your provider’s help center.
Domain Ownership Validation
We use CloudFlare's "pre-validation" method to securely generate a SSL certificate for your aliased site. But, to do so, we need permission from you to do so. This permission takes the form of a TXT record in your DNS file. Once we get the domain name (like dashboard.metropolis.gov that you would like to use, we will generate a unique key for you that we use to validate the certificate.
For full technical details on how this all works, please visit CloudFlare's Hostname Verification support article.
🔐 Step 2: Add a TXT Record (SSL Validation)
ClearPoint uses Cloudflare’s secure hostname pre-validation process to issue and maintain your SSL certificate.
To enable this, ClearPoint Support will give you:
A TXT record name (usually
_cf-custom-hostname)A unique TXT record value (e.g.,
0e2d5a7f-1548-4f27-8c05-b577cb14f4ec)
General steps for adding a TXT record
Log into your domain host.
Go to DNS Management or Zone Editor.
Select Add Record.
Choose TXT as the record type.
Enter the Name and Value provided by ClearPoint Support.
Save your changes.
Once the TXT record is added, notify ClearPoint Support so we can complete SSL setup.
📬 After You Add Both Records
ClearPoint will:
Verify your TXT record
Finalize the SSL certificate
Activate your custom dashboard URL
Let you know when your new branded domain is live
Once setup is complete, your custom URL will always point to your ClearPoint dashboard securely over HTTPS.
💬 Need Assistance?
If you are unsure how to add DNS records or need help coordinating with your IT/web team, contact ClearPoint Support—we’re happy to help walk you through the process.