Will adding a subdomain CNAME affect my main company website?

No! A subdomain (such as reviews.youragency.com) is completely isolated. Your primary website at youragency.com continues running on your existing hosting server without any interference.

Can I connect a root domain (without a prefix)?

DNS specifications generally do not support CNAME records on root/apex domains. You should always use a subdomain prefix like "reviews", "scan", or "feedback".

Why is my Cloudflare domain stuck on Pending CNAME?

99% of Cloudflare delays are caused by leaving the Proxy Status on "Orange Cloud (Proxied)". Switch it to "Grey Cloud (DNS Only)" so our servers can verify the SSL certificate.

🌐Agency Branding, White-Label & Custom Domains

Connecting Your Custom Domain: DNS & Registrar Guides

Connect your branded subdomain (reviews.youragency.com), add CNAME records across GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, and Hostinger, and verify SSL.

Last updated on Sep 2, 2026• Verified for Karo Simple Agency

#Why Connect a Custom Domain?

By default, customer QR code scans load review landing pages on generic Karo Simple URLs (such as app.karosimple.in/reviews/...).

Connecting a Custom Domain allows all your clients' QR codes to load under your agency's website (such as reviews.youragency.com/...). This completes the white-label transformation, ensuring complete digital brand ownership.

Billing Eligibility Requirement

Custom Domain connection is available exclusively to agencies on Half-Yearly or Annual billing plans. Monthly subscriptions display an upgrade prompt to unlock custom domains.

#The 4-Step Connection Workflow

Enter Your Chosen Subdomain and Click Connect

Scroll to the Custom Domain section in Agency Settings. In the text box, enter your chosen subdomain (e.g. "reviews.youragency.com" or "scan.digitalboost.in"). Do not include "https://". Click "Connect". The status will change to "Pending CNAME".

Add the CNAME Record at Your DNS Provider

Log into your domain registrar (where your website domain was purchased) and add a CNAME record with the exact target values provided.

Wait for DNS Propagation & Issue SSL

DNS records typically propagate within 5 to 30 minutes. Click the Refresh button in Karo Simple to verify the connection and issue your free SSL certificate.

Assign URL Slugs to Clients

Once the status displays green "Active", assign custom URL paths to each client storefront.

📸 Visual Guide: Screenshot 3 - Custom Domain Connection Form & CNAME Values

The Custom Domain configuration box with CNAME target values. 🔍 What is shown: • Text input with "reviews.youragency.com" and blue "Connect" button. • CNAME helper table: Type: CNAME | Host: reviews | Target: custom.karosimple.in. • 1-click "Copy" button beside target value.

#Exact DNS Settings by Registrar

In all DNS providers, your record values are identical: Type is CNAME, Host is your prefix (e.g. reviews), and Points To is custom.karosimple.in.

#GoDaddy Setup

1. Log in to GoDaddy and open your Domain Portfolio.
2. Click your domain and select the DNS tab.
3. Click "Add New Record", choose Type: CNAME.
4. In Name, enter only the prefix: reviews (do not type the full domain).
5. In Value, enter: custom.karosimple.in and click Save.

#Cloudflare Setup (Crucial Proxy Setting)

1. Log in to Cloudflare, select your domain, and go to DNS > Records.
2. Click "Add record", choose Type: CNAME.
3. In Name, enter: reviews. In Target, enter: custom.karosimple.in.
4. MANDATORY STEP: Look for the orange cloud icon (Proxy Status). Click it to turn it into a GREY CLOUD (DNS Only). If left as an orange cloud, SSL generation will fail and the domain will never activate!
5. Click Save.

📸 Visual Guide: Screenshot 4 - Cloudflare DNS Record with Grey Cloud Highlighted

Close-up of the Cloudflare DNS editor highlighting proxy toggle. 🔍 What is shown: • CNAME record row showing Name: "reviews" and Target: "custom.karosimple.in". • Highlighted grey cloud icon: "DNS Only (Bypassed)". • Informational banner: "Grey cloud is required for Karo Simple automated SSL issuance".

#Namecheap & Hostinger Setup

Namecheap: Go to Domain List > Manage > Advanced DNS > Add New Record. Set Type: CNAME Record, Host: reviews, Target: custom.karosimple.in, TTL: Automatic. Save.
Hostinger: Go to Domains > Manage > DNS / Nameservers. Under Manage DNS Records, select CNAME. Name: reviews, Target: custom.karosimple.in. Click Add Record.

#Waiting for DNS Propagation & Automated SSL

Global DNS propagation usually takes between 5 and 30 minutes (rarely up to 24 hours depending on registrar TTL settings). Click the circular "Refresh" button next to the domain badge in Karo Simple every 10 minutes.

As soon as the CNAME is verified, Karo Simple automatically provisions and installs an enterprise SSL certificate for your subdomain at zero extra charge. The badge will illuminate in green as "Active".

📸 Visual Guide: Screenshot 5 - Green Active Domain Status Badge

The domain management panel displaying fully verified status. 🔍 What is shown: • Green status pill: "Active" with checkmark icon. • Success message: "Domain is live and serving traffic with valid SSL certificate". • Circular Refresh icon and red "Disconnect Domain" link.

#Frequently Asked Questions

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