Email & DNS settings
Setup a custom domain on Forma Cloud
Forma Cloud platforms come with a default domain name like "myproject.forma.cloud", but you may want to use:
- one or more custom domains of your own. like myacademy.com, and point it to your platform
- one or more custom email addresses based on your domain, like "training@myacademy.com"
How to set a custom domain
To allow this you will need to configure some "DNS Records" with your domain registrar.
About DNS for Forma Cloud
What are DNS Records?
DNS records are like the internet's "phone book" that tells browsers and email services where to find your website and how to manage your email. Each record has a name, type, and value that indicates where to point.
Why Are These Records Needed?
Your web infrastructure is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most secure and reliable clouds in the world. These DNS records are used to:
In essence, you're "telling" AWS, "Yes, I own this domain and I authorize you to manage it." Without this authorization, Amazon cannot activate the SSL certificate or email services for security reasons.
How do I set a custom domain?
Required DNS Records
In order to have everything working fine with your custom domain and email addresses, you will need to configure the following DNS records on your domain service provider
1. SSL Certificate - For website security
What it does: Allows your site to have "the green padlock" (HTTPS protocol) in the browser address bar for security
Examples:
|
Record Name |
Type |
Value |
|
_bbb9ea10b0856de6ba586e6207dc19a2.yourproject.forma.cloud |
CNAME |
_5b1f9e0e8346d90ac6b87db19db7c2dc.xlfgrmvvlj.acm-validations.aws |
2. WEBSITE POINTING - Where Your Website Is Located
What it does: Tells browsers where to find your website when someone types in your domain.
Examples:
|
Record Name |
Tipo |
Valore |
|
yourdomain.com |
A |
75.2.77.19 |
|
yourdomain.com |
A |
99.83.139.159 |
Note: we are providing 2 different IP addresses to grant maximum service reliability through our balancer
3. EMAIL VALIDATION - To Send Authenticated Emails from your platform
What it does: Allows your system to send emails that don't end up in spam.
Examples:
|
Nome Record |
Tipo |
Valore |
|
kkctvw3mrh2v7h3gzaoqf34t3dl4xybh._domainkey.yourdomain.com |
CNAME |
kkctvw3mrh2v7h3gzaoqf34t3dl4xybh.dkim.amazonses.com |
|
j4qlk6qmjatfrrx2s2dvljosxleqs7wf._domainkey.yourdomain.com |
CNAME |
j4qlk6qmjatfrrx2s2dvljosxleqs7wf.dkim.amazonses.com |
|
sabrml264bh5b4map5crcjq327z7ifgk._domainkey.yourdomain.com |
CNAME |
sabrml264bh5b4map5crcjq327z7ifgk.dkim.amazonses.com |
Further (important) Information
Propagation and verification time
DNS changes can take 4 to 48 hours to take effect worldwide.
After 24 hours, verify that the site is reachable and displays the SSL padlock in the browser.
Recommended Configuration Order
This is the recommended order to follow when setting up Forma Cloud DNS records on your provider service:
- First A records (site points)
- Then CNAME records for SSL
- Finally DKIM records for email
Unavailability of the custom domain
In any case your custom domain should not work for some reason (issues with your provider, misconfigurations, expired domain) the default *.forma.cloud domain will always be available
Still having trouble with DNS records?
Most DNS providers (Aruba, Register, GoDaddy, OVH, etc.) offer free support for configuring DNS records. Open a support ticket from your control panel and attach this guide—they'll usually do it in minutes!