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Domain Setup Process

For PhotoBiz & Zibster Websites

Both PhotoBiz and Zibster website accounts begin with a temporary domain. This allows clients to build and preview their sites without affecting their existing live site.

This guide explains how to complete domain setup for existing domains and new domain registrations, including when to verify, how to add DNS records, and how to notify clients.

Access Level

Passionate Support® Team Members need Level II or higher permissions to complete a domain setup.

These permissions are required to access intranet tools and Route 53 management.

What Clients Should Know

Domain setup is usually the final step before launch. Before starting, confirm that the client is ready to go live.

Client Prep Notes

  • Domain setup can only be requested after the account has been verified by Support.

  • Starting too early can cause downtime while DNS changes propagate.

  • Always check that the client is ready to launch before beginning.

  • Avoid starting domain setups near weekends or end-of-day — propagation may delay preview access.

STEP ONE

  • Open the Domain Setup Ticket from the queue.
    The ticket details will list:

    • The client’s domain name

    • Any branded email provider information (if applicable)

  • If branded email is included and the client provided an alternate email address,
    add that alternate address to the ticket notifications so they receive all updates.

The domain setup ticket will look similar to the screenshot

STEP TWO

Check the Registrar

  1. Go to misk.com/tools and enter the client’s domain name.
    This shows who the domain is registered through.

  2. If you see a reseller such as Tucows, visit that reseller’s Whois lookup to find the actual provider (for example, Hover or OpenSRS).

  3. Copy the URL of the Whois record and paste it in the ticket comments, noting which registrar the client uses.
    This determines which canned email to use when sending the new name servers.

  4. If the domain isn’t registered yet:

Always confirm the domain is valid before proceeding to DNS checks.

STEP THREE

Check the DNS For MX Records

  1. Copy the domain name.

  2. Go to misk.com/tools.

    • Paste the domain into the search bar to confirm it’s valid and review DNS records.

  3. Copy the DNS Lookup results from Misk.
    Paste them into the domain setup ticket to document the existing records before making changes.

  4. Review the results:

    • Check for MX records or other DNS settings the client is currently using.

    • Note the registrar again if shown.

You’ll see results similar to the screenshot for valid domains.

STEP FOUR

Adding The Domain To The Account

  1. Copy the client’s domain name again.

  2. In the Intranet, go to the Domains section.

  3. Click Edit Full next to the temporary domain.

Builder Type Reference

  • SiteBiz → PhotoBiz 9 / Zibster 9

  • Site → Legacy Builder

  • HTML5 → Portfolio Builder (PhotoBiz only)

  1. Update these fields:

    • Domain Name: Paste the client’s domain

    • Domain Type: Change to UserPrivate

  2. Click Save Changes to apply.

Double-check the site type before saving. This ensures the domain attaches to the correct platform.

STEP FIVE

Update The Domain Settings

  • Click the DNS link under the new domain name.

  • This section allows you to add:

    • Website DNS records

    • Additional records such as CNAME, A Records, and MX Records

  • Add any DNS entries noted in the client’s Misk report.

STEP SIX

Add DNS Records

  1. In the DNS section, click Create On Route 53 (top right corner).

  2. This generates four unique name servers and adds the domain to AWS Route 53.

Important Note:

  • These name servers are automatically generated — they can’t be customized or reused.

  • If deleted, new ones must be created.

  1. The system also creates a separate ticket listing the new AWS name servers.

STEP SEVEN

Creating The New Domain Name Servers

  • In the DNS section, click on CREATE ON ROUTE 53

STEP EIGHT

Adding Basic Records

Click on the drop down menu and choose BASIC RECORDS. This adds the 2 required A records and 1 CNAME for the domain to find the website once it's pointed over. 

Click Add to Route 53 to add the Basic Records. 

STEP NINE

Adding MX Records (if applicable)

If the client uses branded email, check who their mail provider is.
This info is usually listed in the domain setup ticket or provided by the client.

Common Providers

  • Rackspace Mailbox (PhotoBiz/Zibster email service)

  • Google Workspace (use 2023 MX records)

  • Office 365 (custom records vary by account)

  • Zoho Mail

  1. Confirm the email provider.

  2. From the dropdown menu, select the correct provider.

  3. Click Add to Route 53 to add their MX records.

Tip: If you’re unsure, verify with the client before proceeding — incorrect MX records can disrupt email delivery.

Domain Setup Completed.

Once you’ve completed the domain setup on the intranet, you’ll see something similar to the screenshot.

Launching The Domain

Once the domain setup is complete:

  1. Send the Update Email

    • Use the canned template “Updating Name Servers.”

    • Copy and paste the four new AWS name servers into the email.

    • Update these placeholders:

      • [INSERT DOMAIN HERE] → client’s domain

      • [Insert unique AWS servers here] → the name servers generated by Route 53

  2. Adjust the Email Setup Section

    • If the client has branded email, include their MX details.

    • If not, remove that section before sending.

  3. Update the Ticket

    • Change the ticket status to Follow Up (Propagation) for the next day.

  4. Monitor & Follow Up

    • Check the account the next day:

      • Open the website to confirm it’s live.

      • Verify that SSL and Google reCAPTCHA are active.

    • Send the Domain Setup Completed canned email once everything is verified.

Domain Setup Completed Email

New Domain Name Registration

PhotoBiz and Zibster offer domain registrations as a Premium Upgrade through our ENOM.COM reseller account.

Supported Domain Extensions

.COM, .NET, .INFO, .BIZ, .ORG

For other domain types (like .ca or .com.au), clients must register through a 3rd-party registrar such as NameCheap.

Pricing

Plan Type          Registration Fees
Monthly $12 setup + $3.50/month renewal
Annual $12 setup + $42/year renewal

Purchasing A New Domain

When a client wants to buy a new domain:

  1. Instruct them to purchase and register it themselves from the Domains tab in their PhotoBiz or Zibster account.

    • This helps prevent typos and refund requests because we misspelled a domain name.

  2. Reference guides:

The domain purchase screen will look similar to the screenshot

After Purchase

Once purchased, the client will see a confirmation message and a message that says "Ready to register your domain name? Click Here" to complete the domain registration similar to the screen shot.

Verify The New Domain

  1. Open the new ticket in the Domain Queue.

  2. Log into domainreg1@photobiz.com.

  3. Look for an email titled:
    “IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION required for client domain name.”

  4. Click the verification link to confirm the registrant’s email.

    • If not verified within 24 hours, ENOM will suspend the domain.

If you don’t see the email:

  • Complete setup steps, then assign the domain ticket to Brent to confirm ENOM verification manually.

Video Guide

Update the Domain on the Client’s Account

  • Copy the domain name from the setup ticket (avoid typos).

  • Go to the Domains tab in the Intranet.

  • Click Edit Full next to the SiteBiz domain.

  • Replace the temporary domain with the new one.

  • Change Domain Type to UserPrivate and click Save Changes.

Generate Name Servers

  • Click DNS under the domain.

  • Click Create On Route 53 to generate name servers.

  • Click Add Basic Records to set up DNS for the new domain.

Set Name Servers

  • Click Set NS in ENOM.

  • Enter your Intranet password and confirm.

  • This updates ENOM to use the new AWS name servers.

    • The site should go live within a few minutes.

Enable SSL & Google reCAPTCHA

Once the domain is live:

  1. Activate SSL in the Control Panel.

  2. Enable Google reCAPTCHA. Try to add the client's email address as an owner for recaptcha in the settings and also enable notifications from Google. This helps in case the client starts getting more spam through their recaptcha OR if they need to update anything from Google. 

  3. Submit a test form using PhotoBiz or Zibster Support (supportteam@photobiz.com, supportteam@zibster.com).

    • Let the client know they can disregard the test email.

  4. Ensure the Website Timeline is marked complete and Account Notifications are active.

  5. Send the Purchased Domain Setup Completed canned email.

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