Search Atlas Help Center

🏷️ WordPress Whitelabel Subdomain Setup and Client Access

Open in
View as Markdown Open in ChatGPT Open in Claude
Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🗺️ Overview

Search Atlas's whitelabel feature lets you host the platform under your own subdomain (for example, seo.yourdomain.com) so clients see your branding instead of Search Atlas. This article walks you through the full setup process, explains how client logins work, and covers the most common reasons login stops working after initial configuration.

✅ Before You Begin

Confirm the following before setting up your whitelabel subdomain:

  • You have admin access to your domain's DNS settings (via your domain registrar or hosting panel).
  • You have a WordPress site where you can install or manage plugins.
  • Your Search Atlas plan includes whitelabel functionality.
  • You have admin access inside the Search Atlas platform.

⚙️ Step 1 — Create a Subdomain in Your Hosting Panel

  1. Log in to your web hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, or your host's dashboard).
  2. Navigate to the Subdomains or Domains section.
  3. Create a new subdomain, for example seo.webdesignsurrey.net.
  4. Note the subdomain's document root folder — you will need this in Step 3.

🌐 Step 2 — Point the Subdomain DNS to Search Atlas

  1. Open your domain registrar or DNS management panel.

  2. Add a new CNAME record with the following values:

    • Host / Name: seo (or the subdomain prefix you chose)
    • Points to / Value: the CNAME target provided inside Search Atlas (see Step 3 below)
    • TTL: 3600 (or Auto)

  3. Save the record. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, but usually completes within 1–4 hours.

🔑 Step 3 — Configure Whitelabel Inside Search Atlas

  1. Log in to Search Atlas and go to the header apps-grid icon → More Features → Agency Hub → White Label Setup (Logo page).
  2. Enter your full subdomain (e.g., seo.webdesignsurrey.net) in the Custom Domain field.
  3. Copy the CNAME target value shown on this page — this is what you enter in your DNS record in Step 2.
  4. Upload your agency logo, set brand colours, and configure any other branding options on this page.
  5. Click Continue. Search Atlas will attempt to verify the DNS record. Wait for the status to show Verified before proceeding.

Important: If the status does not change to Verified within 48 hours, double-check that the CNAME record is saved correctly and that no conflicting A record exists for the same subdomain host.

👤 Step 4 — Create Client Accounts and Grant Access

  1. Inside Search Atlas, go to Settings → Team Members (or your agency's client management section).
  2. Click Invite Client and enter the client's email address.
  3. Assign the relevant projects or reports to that client account.
  4. The client will receive an invitation email with a link to set their password and log in via your whitelabel subdomain.

Clients access their progress data through Reports. Inside the platform navigate to the left sidebar → Reports (URL: /report-builder/projects-list). Only the projects you have shared with a client will be visible when they log in.

🔧 Troubleshooting — Can't Log In After Setup

If you or a client cannot log in to the whitelabel subdomain, work through the checks below in order.

  • DNS not fully propagated: Use a tool such as dnschecker.org to confirm the CNAME record is resolving worldwide. If it is still propagating, wait and retry.
  • SSL certificate not issued: Search Atlas automatically provisions an SSL certificate once DNS is verified. If the subdomain shows a browser security warning, the certificate may still be generating — this can take up to 1 hour after DNS verification. Do not attempt to install a separate SSL certificate, as this will conflict.
  • CNAME record overridden by an A record: If an A record exists for the same subdomain host in your DNS, it will take priority over the CNAME. Delete any conflicting A record, then re-verify inside Search Atlas.
  • Whitelabel domain not saved as Verified in Search Atlas: Return to the header apps-grid icon → More Features → Agency Hub → White Label Setup (Logo page) and confirm the domain status shows Verified. If it shows Pending or Error, re-enter the subdomain and re-copy the CNAME target to your DNS panel.
  • Client using the wrong login URL: Clients must log in at your whitelabel subdomain (e.g., https://seo.webdesignsurrey.net), not at app.searchatlas.com. Resend the invitation link or share the correct URL directly.
  • Client invitation not accepted: If the client never clicked the invitation email link, their account is not activated. Go to Settings → Team Members, find the client, and resend the invitation.
  • Password reset required: If a client's login was working and then stopped, ask them to use the Forgot Password link on the whitelabel login page to reset their credentials.
  • Browser cache or cookies: Ask the client to try logging in using a private/incognito window. If that works, they should clear their browser cache and cookies for the subdomain.

👁️ What Clients Can See

Once logged in through your whitelabel subdomain, clients will see only the reports and projects you have shared with them. They will not see Search Atlas branding, other clients' data, or any account billing information. To share additional reports, go to the left sidebar → Reports, open the relevant project, and use the share or assign option to add the client.

💬 Need More Help?

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.