Using Your Own Web Address

Instead of using a QraOnline web address, your center can use its own — something like portal.yourcenter.com. This page walks you through the whole thing, including exactly where to get the DNS record you need.

There are four stages, and you'll switch between two websites: QraOnline and whoever you bought your domain from.

1. Type your web address into QraOnline.
2. QraOnline shows you the exact DNS record to create.
3. You add that record at your domain provider.
4. You come back to QraOnline and click Verify.

▶Connecting your own web addressSample video

Placeholder. The full journey: adding your address in QraOnline, copying the DNS record, adding it at your provider, and watching it turn Verified.

Choosing which address goes where

Go to My Center → Domains. At the top you'll see tabs for the three places you can point an address:

Tab	What visitors reach	Example
Admin Panel	This dashboard, for you and your staff	admin.yourcenter.com
Student/Teacher Portal	Where your students and teachers sign in	portal.yourcenter.com
Website	Your center's public website	yourcenter.com

You can connect one address per tab.

Screenshot neededdomains-target-tabs.png

What to capture: The Domains tab inside My Center, with the three target tabs visible along the top (Admin Panel, Student/Teacher Portal, Website) and no domain added yet.

Add an arrow/highlight on: A box around the row of three tabs.

Save as static/img/docs/domains-target-tabs.png

Admin Panel and Portal need a subdomain

For Admin Panel and Student/Teacher Portal you must use something in front of your domain — admin.yourcenter.com, not yourcenter.com on its own. If you try the bare address, you'll see "a subdomain is required for this target". Only the Website tab can use your bare domain.

Step 1 — Type your address into QraOnline

1. Go to My Center → Domains.
2. Click the tab you want: Admin Panel, Student/Teacher Portal, or Website.
3. Type your address in the box, for example admin.yourcenter.com.
4. Click Add domain.

Screenshot neededdomains-add-domain-form.png

What to capture: The Admin Panel tab selected, with 'admin.yourcenter.com' typed into the domain input field, ready to submit.

Add an arrow/highlight on: An arrow pointing at the Add domain button.

Save as static/img/docs/domains-add-domain-form.png

You can paste a full link like https://admin.yourcenter.com/ — QraOnline tidies it down to just the address.

The address is now listed with the status Pending. Nothing is live yet. This step just tells QraOnline you intend to use that address.

Screenshot neededdomains-pending-status.png

What to capture: The domain list with one entry just added, showing the Pending status chip beside it, plus the View DNS records and Verify actions.

Add an arrow/highlight on: A box around the Pending status chip.

Save as static/img/docs/domains-pending-status.png

Step 2 — Get your DNS record from QraOnline

This is the part people usually get stuck on, so here it is plainly: you don't look the DNS record up anywhere. QraOnline gives it to you.

1. Find your new address in the list.
2. Click View DNS records.

Screenshot neededdomains-dns-records-panel.png

What to capture: The expanded View DNS records panel, showing the Type, Name and Value columns filled in for a subdomain, with the copy icon visible next to the value.

Add an arrow/highlight on: An arrow pointing at the copy icon beside the Value column.

Save as static/img/docs/domains-dns-records-panel.png

A small table opens showing exactly what to create. For a subdomain — which covers the Admin Panel and Student/Teacher Portal tabs — it looks like this:

Type	Name	Value
CNAME	admin	(the exact value QraOnline shows you)

Reading that table:

• Type — the kind of record. For a subdomain it's CNAME.
• Name — just the bit in front of your domain. For admin.yourcenter.com the name is admin. Not the whole address.
• Value — where the record points. QraOnline displays the exact text here. Click the copy icon next to it so you copy it character for character.

If you're connecting your bare domain on the Website tab, you'll be shown an A record pointing at an IP address instead, in the same table. The steps are otherwise identical.

Always use the value on your screen

Don't type in a value from a guide, an old email, or a support chat. QraOnline works out the correct value for your specific address at the moment you look, and it can change over time. Copy it from the table.

If the table shows Alternates, any one of them works. Add just one record.

If the table is empty, QraOnline hasn't received a recommendation for your address yet. Wait a minute and click Verify — the record will appear. Never guess a value.

Step 3 — Add the record at your domain provider

Now leave QraOnline and sign in wherever you bought or manage your domain. Keep the QraOnline tab open so you can copy from it.

Every provider uses slightly different wording, but you're always doing the same three things: choosing the record type, entering the name, and pasting the value.

Here's the field-name translation, because this is where people get confused:

QraOnline calls it	Your provider might call it
Type	Type, Record Type
Name	Name, Host, Hostname, Subdomain, Alias
Value	Value, Target, Points to, Content, Destination, Data

Find your provider below for the exact clicks.

GoDaddy

1. Sign in and open My Products.
2. Next to your domain, click DNS (or Manage DNS).
3. Click Add New Record.
4. Type: choose CNAME (or A if that's what QraOnline showed).
5. Name: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. For a bare domain A record, type @.
6. Value: paste what you copied from QraOnline.
7. TTL: leave it at 1 Hour / default.
8. Click Save.

Screenshot neededdns-godaddy-add-record.png

What to capture: GoDaddy's DNS management page with the Add New Record form open, Type set to CNAME, Name filled with 'admin', and the Value field filled with the QraOnline target.

Add an arrow/highlight on: Arrows on the Type, Name and Value fields, and on the Save button.

Save as static/img/docs/dns-godaddy-add-record.png

GoDaddy adds your domain automatically

GoDaddy shows the record as admin.yourcenter.com once saved, even though you only typed admin. That's correct — don't go back and change it.

Namecheap

1. Sign in and open Domain List.
2. Click Manage next to your domain.
3. Open the Advanced DNS tab.

Screenshot neededdns-namecheap-advanced-dns-tab.png

What to capture: Namecheap's domain management screen with the row of tabs along the top (Domain, Products, Sharing & Transfer, Advanced DNS).

Add an arrow/highlight on: An arrow pointing at the Advanced DNS tab.

Save as static/img/docs/dns-namecheap-advanced-dns-tab.png

4. Click Add New Record.
5. Type: choose CNAME Record (or A Record).
6. Host: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. For a bare domain, type @.
7. Target (or Value): paste what you copied from QraOnline.
8. TTL: leave at Automatic.
9. Click the green tick to save.

Screenshot neededdns-namecheap-host-records.png

What to capture: Namecheap's Host records section with a new CNAME row being edited: Type set to CNAME Record, Host set to 'admin', Target holding the QraOnline value, TTL on Automatic.

Add an arrow/highlight on: Arrows on the Type, Host and Target columns, and on the green tick that saves the row.

Save as static/img/docs/dns-namecheap-host-records.png

Namecheap: remove the parking record

New Namecheap domains come with a CNAME record on www and a URL Redirect or Parking Page record on @. If either clashes with what you're adding, delete it first — otherwise your new record is ignored.

Cloudflare

1. Sign in and select your domain.
2. In the left menu, click DNS → Records.
3. Click Add record.
4. Type: choose CNAME (or A).
5. Name: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. For a bare domain, type @.
6. Target (or IPv4 address for an A record): paste what you copied from QraOnline.
7. Proxy status: click the orange cloud so it turns grey and reads DNS only.
8. TTL: leave at Auto.
9. Click Save.

Screenshot neededdns-cloudflare-proxy-grey.png

What to capture: Cloudflare's Add record form with Type set to CNAME, Name 'admin', Target holding the QraOnline value, and the Proxy status toggle switched off so it shows a grey cloud reading 'DNS only'.

Add an arrow/highlight on: A large arrow on the grey cloud / DNS only toggle — this is the step people get wrong.

Save as static/img/docs/dns-cloudflare-proxy-grey.png

Cloudflare: the cloud must be grey

This is the single most common Cloudflare mistake. An orange cloud means Cloudflare proxies the traffic, which stops verification from completing and can break your SSL certificate. Click it until it's grey and says DNS only.

OVH

1. Sign in to the OVH control panel and open Domain names.
2. Select your domain, then open the DNS zone tab.
3. Click Add an entry.
4. Choose CNAME (or A).
5. Sub-domain: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. Leave it empty for a bare domain.
6. Target: paste what you copied from QraOnline, and make sure it ends with a dot if OVH adds one — that's normal for OVH.
7. Click Next, then Confirm.

Hostinger

1. Sign in to hPanel.
2. Go to Domains → your domain → DNS / Nameservers.
3. Scroll to Manage DNS records.
4. Type: choose CNAME (or A).
5. Name: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. Use @ for a bare domain.
6. Points to / Target: paste what you copied from QraOnline.
7. Click Add Record.

Squarespace / Google Domains

1. Sign in and open your domain's settings.
2. Go to DNS → DNS Records (or Custom records).
3. Click Add record.
4. Host: type just the prefix, e.g. admin. Use @ for a bare domain.
5. Type: choose CNAME (or A).
6. Data / Value: paste what you copied from QraOnline.
7. Save.

Another provider, or your web host

Look for a menu called DNS, DNS Records, DNS Management, DNS Zone, Zone Editor, or Advanced DNS. If you use cPanel, it's Zone Editor. The steps are always the same: add a record, pick the type, enter the prefix as the name, paste the value.

If you genuinely can't find it, your domain provider's support team will know — tell them "I need to add a CNAME record for the subdomain admin."

Don't type your full address in the Name field

Almost every failed setup comes down to this. If you put admin.yourcenter.com in the Name field, most providers turn it into admin.yourcenter.com.yourcenter.com. Just admin is correct.

Wondering what @ means?

On most providers, @ is shorthand for "the domain itself with no prefix" — so @ means yourcenter.com. You only need it when connecting a bare domain on the Website tab.

Step 4 — Come back and click Verify

DNS changes are not instant. Usually it's a few minutes. Sometimes it's a few hours. Very occasionally, with slow providers or certain domain endings, up to 24 to 48 hours.

1. Return to My Center → Domains.
2. Click Verify on your address.

QraOnline checks two things: that the address belongs to your center, and that your DNS record is actually pointing where it should. Both must be true before the status turns Verified.

If it isn't ready yet, wait a bit and click Verify again. There's a short cooldown between checks, so clicking rapidly won't speed anything up.

Once it says Verified, open your address in a browser. You should see your center's own sign-in page, complete with your logo.

Screenshot neededdomains-verified-status.png

What to capture: The Domains list with the domain now showing a green Verified status chip.

Add an arrow/highlight on: A box around the Verified chip.

Save as static/img/docs/domains-verified-status.png

What each status means

Status	What it means	What you do
Pending	QraOnline knows about your address but your DNS record isn't visible yet. Either you haven't added it, or it's still spreading across the internet.	Add the record if you haven't. Otherwise wait and click Verify again.
Verified	Everything works. Your address is live and shows your branding.	Nothing. You're done.
Misconfigured	QraOnline checked your DNS and it doesn't point to the right place.	Compare what's saved at your provider with the table in QraOnline, character for character. Fix it, then click Verify.

Nothing works until it's Verified

An address that's Pending or Misconfigured gives you nothing. Your logo and center name won't appear, and signing in from that address won't work. Adding an address is only a statement of intent — it goes live when your DNS is genuinely correct.

Removing an address

1. Click Edit on the address.
2. Under Disconnect this domain, click Remove.
3. Confirm.

Your center stops being reachable at that address immediately — which is why you're asked to confirm. Your data is untouched, and you can always add the address again later.

If something goes wrong

It's said Pending for over 24 hours. Compare the record at your provider against the QraOnline table one character at a time. The usual culprits: the full address typed into Name instead of just the prefix, a typo in the value, a stray dot on the end, or Cloudflare's orange cloud left on.

It says Misconfigured. Your record exists but points somewhere else. Common causes: an old CNAME or A record for the same name is still there — delete it, you can only have one — or you pasted the value with extra spaces.

"A subdomain is required for this target." You tried your bare domain on Admin Panel or Student/Teacher Portal. Use something like admin.yourcenter.com, or use the Website tab for the bare domain.

"This host is reserved." You've entered a QraOnline address. Those can't be claimed. Use your own domain.

"This domain is already connected." The address is already in use — possibly on one of the other tabs at your center. Check the other two tabs. If it's genuinely not yours, contact support.

The DNS records table is empty. QraOnline hasn't got a recommendation for your address yet. Wait a minute and click Verify. Don't guess a value.

"Domain connection isn't available yet." This feature isn't switched on for your installation. Contact your platform administrator.

Do I need to buy a domain from QraOnline? No. Buy it wherever you like, or use one you already own. QraOnline only needs the DNS record.

Who can do this? Only admins with permission to update your center's settings. See Roles & Permissions.

You can also set this up during First-Time Setup, where it's an optional step you're free to skip and come back to.