You know how much I love deep into the nitty-gritty details of online marketing right? Well recently I stumbled upon a really cool trick that’s been a must for me and I just had to share it with you.
It’s all about assigning custom subdomains to your landing pages and trust me it’s a simple yet powerful strategy that’s going to seriously level up your branding game.
Why Custom Subdomains? The Power of Branding
Think about it.
You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting killer landing pages – they’re visually stunning optimized for conversions and packed with irresistible offers.
But if they’re all stuck under the generic GetResponse domain you’re missing a huge opportunity.
Imagine a landing page for your latest ebook promoting “The Ultimate Guide to Digital Marketing” but instead of a generic address it’s sitting pretty at “digitalmarketing.yourcompany.com.” See the difference? It’s like a stamp of approval telling visitors “This is legit this is us.”
Here’s the deal: Custom subdomains are all about building trust and credibility. They create a direct link between your brand and the content you’re serving up making it clear that you’re the one behind the information.
How to Assign a Custom Subdomain: A Step-by-Step Guide
let’s get practical.
Assigning a custom subdomain is surprisingly easy and I’m going to walk you through it like I’m sitting right next to you.
We’ll use GetResponse as our example but the principles are pretty much the same across different platforms.
1. Setting Up Your Domain
First things first you need to have your own domain name.
If you don’t already have one you can easily register one through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
Choose a name that reflects your brand and is relevant to the content you’ll be hosting on your landing page.
2. Configuring Your DNS Settings
Now the magic happens in the DNS settings.
This is where you tell the world where to find your website (or in this case your landing page). Think of it like setting up a map that points to your landing page’s online address.
Let’s break it down:
- Go to your domain registrar: The place you purchased your domain from.
- Navigate to the DNS management section: It’s usually labelled “DNS Settings” “Domain Management” or something similar.
- Create a new record: This will be an “A Record” which directs your custom subdomain to your GetResponse landing page.
- Fill out the details: You’ll need to enter the subdomain name (e.g. “digitalmarketing”) the host (usually “@”) and the IP address of your GetResponse landing page. (You’ll find this IP address in your GetResponse account settings).
- Save your changes: Voila!
3. Verification and Patience
It’s not magic so there might be a short wait (usually a few hours but sometimes up to 24 hours) for the changes to take effect.
Once everything is updated you should be able to access your landing page using your custom subdomain.
Advanced Techniques: Taking Subdomains to the Next Level
Don’t stop there! There’s so much more you can do with subdomains to elevate your online marketing.
1. Subdomain Strategies for Different Audiences
Let’s say you’re running a company that offers both online courses and coaching services.
You could create separate subdomains for each:
- “courses.yourcompany.com” for your online course catalog
- “coaching.yourcompany.com” for showcasing your coaching programs
This strategy creates a more user-friendly experience and it’s easier for your target audience to find the information they’re looking for.
2. A/B Testing with Subdomains
Remember those A/B testing experiments we all love? Subdomains come in handy there too.
Create different landing pages with varying designs headlines or call-to-actions each hosted on a separate subdomain.
This allows you to run A/B tests and compare results without disrupting your main website.
3. Subdomains for Your Brand’s “Offshoots”
Have you ever considered launching a blog or a special offer exclusively for email subscribers? Creating a dedicated subdomain for these projects keeps them separate from your main website but still under your brand’s umbrella.
- “blog.yourcompany.com” for your latest posts
- “exclusive.yourcompany.com” for exclusive deals and content
4. Using Subdomains for Geo-Targeting
Reaching out to international audiences? Subdomains allow you to create landing pages that are tailored to specific geographic locations.
- “uk.yourcompany.com” for the UK market
- “es.yourcompany.com” for the Spanish market
This approach is crucial for language translations and culturally appropriate content ensuring your message resonates with your target audience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While custom subdomains are amazing there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for:
1. Overcomplicating Your URL Structure
While multiple subdomains can be helpful too many levels can lead to confusing URLs that are difficult for visitors to remember.
Strive for a clean and concise structure.
2. Neglecting SEO
Don’t forget about SEO! Ensure each subdomain has its own meta description title tag and keywords to help search engines understand its purpose.
3. Ignoring SSL Certificates
Never let your custom subdomain be vulnerable.
Invest in an SSL certificate to encrypt data and ensure your website’s security.
This adds a layer of trust to your brand and protects your visitors’ information.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Your Branding with Custom Subdomains
Remember your brand is everything in the digital world.
By assigning custom subdomains to your landing pages you’re creating a more professional and recognizable online presence.
It’s like giving your landing pages a unique identity solidifying your brand in the minds of your visitors.
Go ahead give it a shot! You’ll be amazed at how much difference a little customization can make.
And remember if you have any questions along the way don’t hesitate to ask.
We’re all in this together!