The Custom Domains management screen allows administrators to configure custom hostnames for different brands under the same OwnPay instance. Setting up custom domains hides the master OwnPay platform domain, providing a fully white-labeled billing and checkout interface to customers.
Getting here
- Log in to the OwnPay admin dashboard as the super-administrator
- Under the SYSTEM section in the left sidebar, click Domains
Page sections
1. DNS setup guide
A collapsible instructional card detailing the steps required to link your domain:
- TXT Verification record: Details to authenticate domain ownership
- A record: Details to point traffic to the OwnPay server IP address
- Provider-specific Quick Tips: Cloudflare, GoDaddy, and Namecheap zone manager shortcuts
2. Your domains table
Lists all mapped hostnames for the active brand context:
- Domain: Shows the domain name, along with a Visit link for verified active domains
- Brand: Displays the specific Brand to which the domain is mapped
- TXT Verification Token: The unique verification code required to authorize ownership in DNS
- Status: Badges indicating the domain state:
Verified (green): Fully configured, active, and accessiblePending DNS (yellow): Domain added, waiting for DNS records to propagateError/Invalid (red): DNS check failed or verification is incomplete
- Actions: Verify DNS or Remove the domain mapping
3. Add custom domain modal
Triggered by clicking the + Add Domain button in the header.
Step-by-step: mapping and verifying a new custom domain
Step 1: Register the domain in OwnPay
- Navigate to SYSTEM > Domains
- Click + Add Domain in the top-right corner
- Enter your hostname (e.g.,
pay.mybrand.com) in the Domain Name field
- Click Add Domain
- The domain will appear in the table with a
Pending DNS status badge and a unique verification token
- Log in to your DNS registrar or provider
- Go to your domain’s DNS Zone Editor or DNS Management panel
- Add a new TXT record with:
- Name / Host:
_ownpay-verify (or full FQDN: _ownpay-verify.pay.mybrand.com)
- Value:
ownpay-verify={your-verification-token}
- TTL:
3600
- In the same DNS registrar panel, add a new A record:
- Name / Host:
pay (or @ if mapping root domain)
- Points to / Value: Enter the platform’s Server IP
- TTL:
3600
Step 4: Verify and activate
- Wait 5 to 60 minutes for DNS records to propagate
- Return to the SYSTEM > Domains panel
- Click Verify DNS in the actions column
- If records match, the status badge will update to
Verified
Best practices
- Use a subdomain (like
pay.yourdomain.com) instead of the root apex domain when possible
- Verify propagation on third-party tools like
dnschecker.org before clicking the platform Verify button
- Do not map the same domain to multiple brands, as hostname mapping must be 1:1
- Do not enable Cloudflare proxy status (orange cloud) for the TXT verification record
Always verify the domain’s TXT record before routing traffic. Bypassing DNS verification runs the risk of routing errors or broken checkout sessions.
Troubleshooting
Domain status remains “Pending DNS” after clicking Verify
- Cause: DNS propagation delays
- Solution: Wait up to 1 hour and try again
- Cause: Incorrect Host/Name value
- Solution: Some registrars append your root domain automatically. Check the exact values using a DNS Lookup tool
Accessing Custom Domain returns a 404 page
- Cause: The A record is not pointed to the correct server IP, or the domain has not been verified yet
- Solution: Verify the A record configuration and run verification in the admin panel
Related pages
- Brands - Create and manage brands mapped to custom domains
- Branding Settings - Upload logos and visual details
- System Settings - Configure global application name and fallback URL parameters
