Do you want to strengthen your brand and make it easier for your users to access your portal? As a client with a Plus, Play, or Brand Portal, you have the option to connect your own custom domain (e.g., assets.yourcompany.com) to direct users straight to your portal.
This guide explains how it works and details the two options available for setting it up.
- How It Works: A Simple Explanation
- Option 1: Automated SSL Certificate Management - Recommended
- Option 2: Manual SSL Certificate Management (your own certificate)
- Using a root domain (without www)?
- Availability for Mediaportal Standard Users
How It Works: A Simple Explanation
Think of the internet as a giant address book. When you type a domain name into your web browser (like mediaflow.com), the browser looks up that name in the address book (called the DNS) to find the server where the website is located.
To connect your domain to your portal with us, you create an entry in this address book, a so-called CNAME record, that points your chosen domain to our servers. To ensure the connection is secure (indicated by a padlock icon and https:// in the browser), a security certificate (SSL certificate) is also required.
The domain record is set up the same way for both options. The difference between them is who is responsible for the SSL certificate. For security and convenience, we strongly recommend Option 1.
Which address should you point to?
-
Brand Portal and Play:
cname.mediaflow.site -
Plus:
cname.mediaflowportal.com
Not sure which portal type you have? Contact support@mediaflow.com and we will help you.
Option 1: Automated SSL Certificate Management - Recommended
This is the most seamless and secure method. By creating a simple domain record, you let us handle everything related to security certificates, including automatic renewals. This service is included at no extra cost for all Plus, Play, and Brand Portals.
How to proceed:
- Create a CNAME record with your domain provider (where you purchased your domain).
- Point the domain to the address for your portal type (see Which address should you point to?). For Brand Portal and Play, this is
cname.mediaflow.site. - Send an email to support@mediaflow.com to let us know that the record has been created and specify the domain name.
Why We Recommend This Method:
- Enhanced Security: You avoid having to send sensitive information like private keys and certificate files via email. The entire process is handled securely between our servers and the certificate authority.
- Reduced Administration: You will never have to contact us again with new files when the old certificate is about to expire. After the initial setup, the process is fully automated.
- Eliminates Human Error: This removes the risk of a certificate renewal being forgotten, which would cause your portal to become inaccessible. It ensures your portal is always secure and available for your users without interruption.
We'll take care of the rest! We will provision a certificate from Let's Encrypt, install it, and ensure it renews automatically. We will notify you as soon as everything is ready.
Option 2: Manual SSL Certificate Management (your own certificate)
With this method, you are responsible for providing, renewing, and sending us a valid security certificate. Sometimes, a company's internal policies may require the use of a specific, self-managed certificate, which is why we also offer this alternative.
How to proceed:
- Create a CNAME record with your domain provider, exactly as in Option 1.
- Point the domain to the address for your portal type (see Which address should you point to?). For Brand Portal and Play, this is
cname.mediaflow.site. - Once the record is configured, send your SSL certificate and the corresponding private key to us at support@mediaflow.com.
Our support team will then install the files to activate the connection. Please note that you will be responsible for tracking the certificate's expiration date and providing us with a new one in a timely manner.
Using a root domain (without www)?
The domain is always connected with a CNAME record, which works for subdomains such as assets.yourcompany.com or www.yourcompany.com. If you also want the portal to be reachable on a root domain (e.g., yourcompany.com without www), you need to set up a redirect between the addresses with and without www with your domain provider.
Availability for Mediaportal Standard Users
The custom domain feature is included with our Plus, Play, and Brand Portals. If you currently have a Mediaportal Standard plan and wish to use this functionality, you can easily upgrade.
Please contact us at support@mediaflow.com, and we will connect you with your account manager to update your agreement.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact our support team!