> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.smartico.ai/welcome/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.smartico.ai/welcome/technical-guides/communication-gateways/branded-links.md).

# Branded Links

Smartico CRM lets you use branded links, allowing you to customize the domain used for tracking links in the emails sent through our CRM system. Instead of using our default tracking domain, you can replace it with your own custom domain with a subdomain (CNAME). This enhances brand consistency, improves email deliverability, and enables better alignment with your brand identity.

### **Benefits of Using Branded Links**

* **Brand Consistency**: Maintain a professional appearance by ensuring that all tracking links point to your brand's domain.
* **Improved Deliverability**: Aligning tracking links with your domain reduces the risk of your emails being flagged as spam.
* **Reputation Control**: By using your own domain, you protect your brand’s reputation, isolating it from any issues that could arise from shared domains.

### **How to Set Up Branded Links**

Follow these steps to set up and configure Branded Links:

1. **Choose if you would like to configure a domain per Brand or Label**:
   * It's essential to make the choice if you manage multiple brands with Smartico: if each brand will have its own domain, or you will use the same domain for all brands.
2. **Configure CNAME subdomain record**
   * Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel and add the CNAME records.
   * We support only the following names for the subdomain (CNAME)
     * <mark style="color:red;">**click**</mark>.yourdomain.com
     * <mark style="color:red;">**email**</mark>.yourdomain.com
   * CNAME values for production
     * ENV-2 - paras-1656398261.eu-west-1.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'eu-b'.
     * ENV-3 - prod3-channel-2058482172.eu-central-1.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'eu-c'.
     * ENV-4 - prod4-channel-1612906600.us-east-1.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'us-d'.
     * ENV-5 - prod5-channel-1797681357.us-east-2.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'us-e'.
     * ENV-6 - prod6-channel-1018282000.eu-west-1.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'eu-f'.
     * ENV-7 - prod7-channel-78106888.us-east-1.elb.amazonaws.com
       * An additional option for a CNAME subdomain record: 'us-g'.
3. **Set Up Your Custom Domain**:
   * Very your configurations using this tool: <https://www.whatsmydns.net/#CNAME/> and make sure that the CNAME values are what you expected
   * Once CNAME records are created, contact your Customer Success Manager to make verification and confirm the setup in the system.

**Best Practices for Branded Links**

* **Maintain a Positive Domain Reputation**: Ensure that your domain is not blacklisted to maintain high deliverability rates.
* **Monitor Link Performance**: Regularly check the performance of your branded links to ensure they are functioning correctly and analyze their impact on your email campaigns.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you encounter any issues setting up Branded Links or have any questions, please contact your Success Manager for assistance.
{% endhint %}

## Add a Custom SSL Configuration

To add a custom SSL configuration:

Prepare a proxy server that will receive all inbound traffic at your link branded domain and forward it to a respective server depending on your setup location (don't forget to include all request parameters)

* prod2: <https://eu-b.smarticoaimail.com>
* prod3: <https://eu-c.smarticoaimail.com>
* prod4: <https://us-d.smarticoaimail.com>
* prod5: <https://us-e.smarticoaimail.com>
* prod6: <https://eu-f.smarticoaimail.com>
* prod7: <https://us-g.smarticoaimail.com>

You can set up a proxy with services and tools such as [NGINX](https://www.nginx.com/) , [Amazon API Gateway](https://aws.amazon.com/api-gateway) , and others.

Configure the proxy to use HTTP or HTTPS.

* For HTTPS, you must provide your proxy with a valid SSL certificate for your link branded domain.

Point the CNAME record at your hosting provider to your proxy. For example, `CNAME click.example.com proxy.example.com`

## SMS Short Branded Links

SMS short trackable links can follow the same principles as email branded links, with one key limitation: a CNAME record cannot be configured on the root domain (also known as the apex domain or zone apex, e.g., `trk.ly`). According to DNS standards, a root domain cannot have a CNAME record.

However, some DNS providers, particularly cloud services like AWS Route 53, offer proprietary solutions such as **ALIAS records** or **ANAME records** that allow you to point the root domain to another domain name without violating DNS rules:

* **AWS Route 53** supports **ALIAS records**, which function similarly to CNAMEs but are allowed at the root domain.
* **Cloudflare** provides **CNAME flattening**, which lets you point the root domain to another domain without using a CNAME.
* Other DNS providers may offer similar solutions, such as **ANAME records**.
* Subdomains that are used for email click tracking CAN'T be used for SMS click tracking: "email", "click", "eu-b"...

Given these constraints, we can use a subdomain (e.g., `a.trk.ly`) with a CNAME record pointing to the same domain used for emails. The final tracked link would look like: `http://a.trk.ly/iuuhd3`.

For **HTTPS/SSL** usage, a similar approach to that used for email domains should be taken. Ensure that the root domain’s `A` record points to your proxy SSL server to handle SSL certificates properly.


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