## **🌐 What Is the Whitelabel Subdomain Feature?**

The whitelabel subdomain feature lets you present Search Atlas reports and dashboards under your own brand. Instead of sharing a Search Atlas URL, your clients visit a custom subdomain (for example, **seo.youragency.com**) and see your logo, your colours, and no Search Atlas branding. This is ideal for agencies that want a seamless, professional client experience.

## **📋 Before You Begin**

Make sure you have the following ready before starting the setup:

- Access to your domain registrar or DNS management panel (e.g. Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap)
- A subdomain you want to use (e.g. **seo.webdesignsurrey.net**)
- Admin access to your Search Atlas account
- Your whitelabel branding assets (logo, brand colours)

## **⚙️ Step 1 — Configure Your DNS Record**

The first step is pointing your subdomain to Search Atlas so the platform knows to serve your whitelabel portal at that address.

1. Log in to your domain registrar or DNS management panel.
2. Navigate to the DNS settings for your domain.
3. Create a new **CNAME record** with the following values:

   - **Host / Name:** your chosen subdomain prefix (e.g. **seo**)
   - **Value / Points to:** the Search Atlas whitelabel target provided in your account settings
   - **TTL:** 3600 (or Auto)
4. Save the record. DNS propagation can take up to **48 hours**, though it often completes within a few hours.

Do not attempt to log in to the subdomain until DNS has fully propagated — this is the most common reason customers find they cannot access the portal after setup.

## **🛠️ Step 2 — Add Your Subdomain in Search Atlas**

Once your DNS record is live, register the subdomain inside Search Atlas:

1. Log in to your Search Atlas account.
2. Click the apps-grid icon in the header, then go to **More Features → Agency Hub** (Set up your Agency's White Label).
3. Locate the **Custom Domain** field and enter your full subdomain URL (e.g. **https://seo.webdesignsurrey.net**).
4. Click **Verify Domain**. Search Atlas will check that your DNS record is pointing correctly.
5. Once verified, a green confirmation message will appear. If verification fails, wait another hour for DNS propagation and try again.

## **🎨 Step 3 — Configure Your Branding**

After your domain is verified, personalise the portal so clients see your brand:

- **Logo:** Upload your agency logo (PNG or SVG recommended, minimum 200px wide).
- **Brand colours:** Set your primary and accent colours using hex codes.
- **Agency name:** Enter the name that will appear in the portal header and email notifications.
- **Favicon:** Upload a small icon (32×32 px) to appear in browser tabs.

Click **Continue** after updating each section. Preview the portal by visiting your subdomain in an incognito browser window.

## **👤 Step 4 — Grant Clients Access to Their Data**

Clients need their own login credentials to view their project data through your whitelabel portal. Follow these steps for each client:

1. In Search Atlas, go to **Account Menu (avatar) → Settings → Team Members**.
2. Click **Invite Client** and enter the client's email address.
3. Assign the relevant projects you want the client to see.
4. Set their permission level to **Client View** (read-only access — they cannot edit settings or see other clients' data).
5. Click **Send Invitation**. The client receives an email with a link to set their password.
6. Instruct the client to always log in via your custom subdomain (e.g. **https://seo.webdesignsurrey.net**), not via searchatlas.com.

Clients logging in through your subdomain will only ever see your branding and their assigned projects. Search Atlas branding is completely hidden.

## **📊 Sharing Reports With Clients**

You can also share specific reports directly without requiring a client login. To generate a shareable report link:

1. Go to **Reports** using the left sidebar (URL: **/report-builder/projects-list**).
2. Open the report you want to share.
3. Click **Share** and select **Public Link** or **Client Portal Link**.
4. Copy the link and send it to your client. Links generated from your whitelabel account will display your branding automatically.

## **🔑 Troubleshooting Login Issues**

If you or your clients cannot log in to the subdomain, work through the following checklist:

- **DNS not propagated:** Use a tool like **whatsmydns.net** to confirm your CNAME record is live globally. Wait the full 48 hours if needed.
- **Domain not verified:** Return to the header apps-grid icon → **More Features → Agency Hub** (Set up your Agency's White Label) and re-run the domain verification step.
- **Wrong login URL:** Ensure clients are using your subdomain URL, not the main Search Atlas site.
- **Expired invitation:** Client invitation links expire after 7 days. If a client did not set their password in time, resend the invitation from **Account Menu (avatar) → Settings → Team Members**.
- **SSL certificate pending:** After domain verification, Search Atlas automatically provisions an SSL certificate. This can take up to 30 minutes. The portal will show a security warning until the certificate is active.

## **💡 Best Practices**

- Always test the subdomain login yourself before inviting clients.
- Use an incognito window when previewing to avoid cached sessions.
- Keep client permissions set to **Client View** to protect other accounts' data.
- Remind clients to bookmark your subdomain URL, not the Search Atlas homepage.

## **🆘 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.