Sites@Duke Express: Requesting Custom (Vanity) Domains

Question:

When a site is created within Sites@Duke Express, the site name is appended to a fixed domain of sites.duke.edu/*. Is it possible to use a custom domain instead - one that is unique and better serves the subject matter?

 

Answer:

We have a process called domain mapping which allows us to overlay or mask the sites.duke.edu/* domain with an approved vanity domain, also known as a vanity domain/URL. The site visitor will navigate to the vanity domain and never see the default domain, sites.duke.edu.

Important: Your site's visibility must be set to public in order to map a vanity domain. If your site is meant to be restricted to NetID users, you will not want to follow this process.

The following process covers the following types of domains:

• Third-level domains off of duke.edu. e.g., stuff.duke.edu
• Fourth-level domains off of duke.edu, e.g., something.stuff.duke.edu
  • These customarily require authorization from the departmental IT group responsible for the third-level DNS Zone, which adds an extra step to the process.
• Requests for .org domains

Requests for .com are discouraged because most groups making this request will not fall under a commercial purpose.

Important:
Regardless of the domain type requested, we are now required to have a web accessibility review of your site before the domain mapping can be completed. With this in mind, please understand that the web accessibility review pertains to the content and menu structure. You must have at least 95% of your website completed before an accessibility review can be conducted. For web accessibility best practices, please visit https://web.accessibility.duke.edu/how/content-creation/.

 

Process:

1. See https://security.duke.edu/policies/selecting-and-registering-domain-names-duke for information about third-level domain approval process and request form. Please use the request form even if you already own the domain through a third party domain registrar (ex. GoDaddy). If you have a pre-existing custom domain, it will need to be transferred under the ownership of our partner registrar, Safe Names. The request form can be found here: https://domainrequest.oit.duke.edu/
   
   
2. If and when your domain is approved, please open a ticket with the service desk via https://oit.duke.edu/help which specifies your sites.duke.edu URL and the approved vanity domain that you would like to use. That ticket will be routed to Web Services-OIT. 
   
   
3. Once your website is at least 95% complete, the Web Accessibility Office will then be notified to do an accessibility review, as this is a required prerequisite to launch. Accessibility evaluation of a website normally takes 4-5 days. Depending on the results of the accessibility review, you may receive a remediation report with required changes.
   
   
4.  Once the Web Accessibility team has given the website a pass from their review and any remediation that is necessary, the next step is to setup the DNS records.
   1. In the event that the third level domain is controlled by Duke Health, the Sites Express team will have to contact Web Services - DHTS for assistance, which could have a 2-3 day turnaround.
   2. In the event that a fourth level domain is used, the IT support group who owns the third level will need to be contacted, which could also have a 2-3 day turnaround. 
      
      
5. Once the DNS records are in place, the Sites Express Team will map the domain.  Barring any substantial accessibility or domain approval issues, we normally complete mappings the week after the initial request was submitted.

If you have a deadline, please explicitly specify your desired launch date in the request and submit it as early as possible. We will make efforts to accommodate urgent (same week) requests but we cannot rush certain aspects of the process.