> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.myfundingmachine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set Up apply.yourdomain.com

> Stand up a branded application URL like apply.yourdomain.com that points to your Apply for Funding form. DNS, funnel, and verification end-to-end.

# Set Up `apply.yourdomain.com`

A branded subdomain like **`apply.yourdomain.com`** is the cleanest way to give clients a memorable URL to your funding application. Visitors stay on your brand the whole way through, and the page lives natively inside LeadBuilt — no embed snippets, no separate website builder.

This guide takes you from **"I own a domain"** to **"clients can submit at apply.mybrand.com"** in one pass.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Prefer to embed the form on a page you already have?">
    If you already run a website on WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace, etc. and just want the form on it, see [Embed the Apply for Funding Form](/operators/getting-started/embed-funding-form) instead. That flow keeps your existing site as the host.

    Use **this** guide when you want a dedicated URL like `apply.yourdomain.com` rendered fully by LeadBuilt.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Before You Start

* You need access to your **LeadBuilt sub-account**.
* You need login access to your **domain registrar** (where you bought the domain — GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, Squarespace, etc.).
* The form **1. MAIN Apply For Funding Form** ships pre-built with your Funding Machine sub-account. You'll attach it to a funnel page in this guide.

<Note>
  DNS changes can take a few minutes to a few hours to propagate. Plan for the verification step to require some patience.
</Note>

## What You're Building

```
Visitor types:           apply.yourbrand.com
       │
       ▼
DNS (your registrar) ──► CNAME points to LeadBuilt
       │
       ▼
LeadBuilt funnel ──────► Apply for Funding form (page 1)
       │
       ▼
Submission ────────────► Applicant lands in Funding Machine
```

Three moving pieces: **DNS record**, **LeadBuilt funnel + domain connection**, and the **Apply form** wired into the funnel.

## Step-by-Step

<Steps>
  <Step title="1. Create a new funnel">
    From the LeadBuilt sidebar, click **Sites**, then click the **Funnels** tab. In the top-right corner, click **+ New Funnel**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="2. Choose &#x22;Blank Funnel&#x22; or a template">
    Select **Blank Funnel** for full control, or pick a template if you want a styled pre-built layout. Name it something like **Apply for Funding** so it's easy to find later. Click **Create Funnel**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="3. Add the Apply for Funding form to the first step">
    In the funnel editor, open the first step's page builder. Drag in a **Form** element, then in the form settings select **1. MAIN Apply For Funding Form** from the dropdown.

    <Tip>
      You can also drop the form into a two-column layout with brand copy on the left and the form on the right — pick whatever matches your site.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="4. Save and publish the funnel">
    Click **Save** in the top-right of the page builder, then go back to the funnel overview and toggle the page status to **Published**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="5. Open Domains in Sites Settings">
    From the sidebar, click **Sites**, then click the **Settings** gear (or the **Domains** tab depending on layout). This is where you'll connect `apply.yourdomain.com`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="6. Click &#x22;Connect a Domain&#x22;">
    In the top-right, click **Connect a Domain**. Choose **Funnel** as the product to connect, and select the funnel you just created.
  </Step>

  <Step title="7. Enter your subdomain">
    Type the full subdomain you want to use, e.g. `apply.yourdomain.com`. Click **Continue**.

    <Warning>
      Don't include `https://` or trailing slashes. Just the bare hostname: `apply.yourdomain.com`.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="8. Copy the DNS record(s) shown">
    LeadBuilt will display a **CNAME record** (and sometimes additional records) you need to add at your domain registrar. Keep this tab open — you'll come back to it.

    Typical values look like:

    * **Type:** `CNAME`
    * **Host / Name:** `apply`
    * **Value / Points to:** something like `funnels.leadconnectorhq.com`
    * **TTL:** `Auto` or `3600`
  </Step>

  <Step title="9. Add the record at your domain registrar">
    Open a new tab and log in to wherever you bought the domain. Go to the DNS settings for that domain and add the CNAME record from the previous step.

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="Cloudflare">
        DNS → **Add record** → Type `CNAME`, Name `apply`, Target `funnels.leadconnectorhq.com`, **Proxy status: DNS only** (gray cloud, not orange). Save.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="GoDaddy">
        My Products → **Domains** → **DNS** next to your domain → **Add** → Type `CNAME`, Name `apply`, Value `funnels.leadconnectorhq.com`, TTL `1 Hour`. Save.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Namecheap">
        Domain List → **Manage** → **Advanced DNS** → **Add New Record** → Type `CNAME Record`, Host `apply`, Value `funnels.leadconnectorhq.com`, TTL `Automatic`. Save.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Squarespace Domains">
        Settings → **Domains** → your domain → **DNS Settings (Advanced)** → Add a CNAME row, Host `apply`, Data `funnels.leadconnectorhq.com`. Save.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Other providers">
        Look for **DNS settings**, **Advanced DNS**, or **Manage DNS**. The record fields are always: type (CNAME), host/name (`apply`), and value/target (the LeadBuilt hostname shown in step 8).
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="10. Return to LeadBuilt and click &#x22;Verify Records&#x22;">
    Back in the LeadBuilt **Connect a Domain** screen, click **Verify Records**. If the DNS hasn't propagated yet you'll see a pending state — wait a few minutes and try again.

    <Note>
      DNS propagation can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours depending on your registrar. SSL is provisioned automatically once verification succeeds.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="11. Set the subdomain as the funnel URL">
    Once verification succeeds, go back to your funnel → **Settings** → **General**. Set the **Domain** dropdown to your newly verified `apply.yourdomain.com`. Save.
  </Step>

  <Step title="12. Test the live URL">
    Open `https://apply.yourdomain.com` in an incognito window. The funnel page should load, the Apply for Funding form should render, and the green padlock (SSL) should be present in the address bar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verifying It Works End-to-End

1. Visit `https://apply.yourdomain.com` in an incognito window.
2. Confirm the URL bar shows your subdomain (not a LeadBuilt URL) and a valid SSL padlock.
3. Fill out and submit a test application using a name like **"Test Test"**.
4. Open Funding Machine → **Applicants**. Your test submission should appear within a minute.
5. Delete the test applicant once you've confirmed it landed.

## Tips

* **One funnel per brand.** If you run multiple brands or partner co-brands, create one funnel per brand and connect each to its own subdomain.
* **Subdomain only, not the root.** This guide uses `apply.yourdomain.com`, not `yourdomain.com`. Keep the root pointed at your main marketing site — the application lives on a subdomain.
* **You can change the look later.** Style edits inside the funnel page builder go live immediately. No DNS changes required.
* **SSL is automatic.** LeadBuilt provisions a Let's Encrypt certificate as soon as the CNAME verifies. You don't need to upload anything.

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long does DNS propagation take?">
    Usually a few minutes to a few hours, occasionally up to 24 hours. If verification keeps failing after 24 hours, double-check the CNAME record values exactly match what LeadBuilt showed you in step 8.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the root domain instead of a subdomain?">
    Technically yes, but you'd be replacing your main site. Most operators keep their marketing site at the root and route applications to a dedicated `apply.` subdomain. If you want to host the root domain on LeadBuilt, you'll add an `A record` instead of a CNAME — the on-screen instructions in step 8 will show the exact values.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple subdomains pointing to different funnels?">
    Yes. Repeat steps 5–11 for each subdomain (e.g. `apply.brand1.com` and `apply.brand2.com`). Each one connects to its own funnel.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verification keeps failing — what should I check?">
    1. Confirm the **CNAME** type is correct (not A, not TXT).
    2. Confirm the **Host/Name** is just `apply` — many registrars auto-append your domain, so don't type the full `apply.yourdomain.com` in that field.
    3. If you use Cloudflare, make sure the proxy is **DNS only** (gray cloud), not proxied (orange cloud). Proxied records will fail verification.
    4. Wait. DNS can be stubborn. Try again in 30 minutes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the difference between this and embedding the form?">
    Embedding (see [Embed the Apply for Funding Form](/operators/getting-started/embed-funding-form)) keeps the form inside an existing website you already maintain. This guide builds a **standalone** branded URL hosted by LeadBuilt — no separate website needed. Pick whichever fits how you want clients to land.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Embed the Apply for Funding Form" icon="code" href="/operators/getting-started/embed-funding-form">
    Already have a website? Embed the form into your existing pages instead.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set up an affiliate campaign" icon="handshake" href="/operators/affiliates/setting-up-an-affiliate-campaign">
    Pair your branded apply URL with affiliate campaigns for paid traffic.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Applicants" icon="users" href="/operators/funding/applicants">
    Track submissions from your apply page through processing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Submit a Client" icon="user-plus" href="/operators/getting-started/submit-client">
    The manual alternative — submit clients yourself from inside Funding Machine.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>