Introduction
Subdomain websites are designed to be quick and easy to build but still provide a location for agents to use for marketing their business as part of an office or company (parent site) using Lofty. A subdomain has limitations on what can be edited but does not have to go through a complex or extended MLS application process (as long as the MLS does not require individual applications for subdomain websites). There is no additional cost associated with building subdomain websites.
*IMPORTANT: The content of a subdomain will be synchronized from the parent site. In other words, changes made on the parent website will automatically be made on its subdomain websites as well.
Summary
Requirements
Automatic Subdomain Creation
The following requirements have to be met in order for an subdomain website to be created automatically:
- The Lofty Parent Website (associated with the Parent Site Owner/Admin seat) must have its own vanity domain. For example www.abcrealestate.com. Note that third-level domains (search.abcrealestate.com) are not allowed to have subdomains underneath them.
- The domain configuration on the Parent Website vanity domain must allow Lofty to build subdomains. See Domain Configuration Guide for more information.
- Your MLS must allow Lofty to build subdomains without any applications needed.
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Please note that using "firstlast.domain.com" will only be an option once the parent site domain is configured as a vanity domain (e.g. lofty
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realestate.com) AND a wildcard CNAME has been added to the domain settings as seen here below:
- Name = *
- Value = yourdomain.com
As long as the above conditions are met, users who are added by the Account Owner will also have an subdomain website created for them. This user will also receive an email letting them know their subdomain has been created.
Manual Subdomain Creation
In addition to allowing for subdomain websites to be created automatically as outlined above, Parent Website Owners and, in some situations, individual Lofty users, can create subdomain websites manually. This is useful in scenarios where a subdomain has not been created automatically due to the timing of a domain configuration, etc.
Please note that the conditions for a subdomain to be created still remain the same as for automatic creation. In other words, even though a subdomain can be created manually as needed, the criteria remain the same for the system to allow it to happen. The domain configuration requirements are outlined HERE.
Parent Website Owner
A Parent Website Owner has the option to create a subdomain website for a user directly from the site list:
The system will then check the criteria to make sure the subdomain can be created. If it cannot be created, specific feedback will be given as to why. Some scenarios include the Parent Website not being on a vanity domain, CNAME settings not being configured correctly, etc.
Lofty User/Agent
If a Lofty user/agent goes to access the landing page tool or clicks on the CMS but they do not have an Agent Subdomain, they will be presented with a screen showing the option to create a landing page using the Account Owner's site.
Just like when the Account Owner tries to create a subdomain, logic will be in place to explain why it is not possible in some scenarios (i.e. third-level domain, CNAME, lofty.com, etc.).
A Company Owner/Admin can remove this access by changing the Edit Own Website permission for individual users (see Organization - Permission Profiles).
Notice: The Starter package does not come with this feature. If you are on a Starter package and interested in using this feature to its full effect, please contact Support to get upgrade options.
Other Scenarios
If your MLS requires an application to be submitted in order to build an Agent Subdomain, Lofty can help with that process manually. Lofty is aware of the MLSs that have this requirement and will not allow for an Agent Subdomain that needs individual MLS review to be created automatically or manually. Because of the application process, it may take longer to go through this setup process.
If a subdomain website is not created automatically, please contact Lofty Support for more information as needed (support@lofty.com).
Editing a Subdomain Website
As mentioned in the introduction, a subdomain website is locked down in certain aspects to be compliant with MLS regulations as well as to provide brand consistency to companies using Lofty. However, just because a subdomain has parts that cannot be edited, certain aspects can be edited and are outlined here.
*IMPORTANT: If you are interested in having more control of your website, you may be able to upgrade to an Agent Website. For more information regarding an Agent Website, please see Agent Websites and Agent Websites vs. Agent Subdomains.
To access and edit your subdomain website, click Website on the top navigation menu.
MLSs
To ensure compliance with your MLS, you will need to add your Agent ID in order to display MLS data. The MLSs available to you will be the same ones that the owner of the parent website applied for, but your subdomain website will only display the data for the MLSs that you are a member of. Navigate to Listings > MLS > MLS Integration and add your Agent ID to the MLS that can be displayed on your website.
A pop-up will allow you to search for yourself and confirm your Agent ID. Once you have verified your MLS membership, the MLS data will display on your subdomain website!
To remove MLS data, delete the MLS by clicking the trash can icon.
If you would like to manually add a deleted MLS back, click on the blue Add a New MLS button. Please note that you can only do so if that MLS is already connected to the parent website.
Subdomain Prefix
If you would like to change the subdomain prefix which is typically in the format of firstlast.url.com, you can do so by navigating to Settings > Basic Info > Subdomain
As a reminder, if you are interested in being able to configure your domain, using a vanity URL, etc., you will need to upgrade to an Agent Website.
Personal Information
This information is what displays on any blocks that show agent information including the chat box, listing detail page, About page, etc. Edit this under Settings > Company Info > Agents > Edit
Chat Box Settings
Each subdomain has separate settings for the chat box. Please reference the following article for more information on configuring the website chat box: Chat Box Settings.
Lead Source
The default setting for the lead source will always be the same as the parent website. If you would like to change this, you can customize it under Settings > Lead Capture > Lead Source:
Integrations
The following integrations can be set up individually for your subdomain website:
- Google Analytics Integration
- Google Tag Manager
- Google Ads
- Facebook Pixel Integration
- Adwerx Integration
- Follow-Up Boss Integration
Editing Blocks
Most of the content on your subdomain will be inherited from the parent website, with only certain parts that you can configure. The following blocks can be edited on the Home, About, and Reviews pages:
- Agent Block on the Home Page
- Review Block on the Home Page
*NOTE: If the parent website does not have an Agent Block, one will be added to your subdomain automatically.
Header Block
Only one aspect of the subdomain header block can be edited and that is the secondary logo that displays on the top menu. The primary logo will continue to sync from the parent website, as will the second logo unless the "sync" is turned off.
Turn off the synchronization of the second logo from the parent website to the subdomain by navigating to the Page Editor > Header:
Hover over the green "sync" icon and then click on the CLICK HERE text to stop synchronizing the second logo (if any) from the parent website to the subdomain website.
Click Yes on the confirmation message if you would like to proceed:
You can now upload your second logo to the header. No other aspect of the website header can be edited on the subdomain, as it will be synced from the parent website.
If you would like to synchronize the second logo from the parent website to the subdomain again, simply click on the grey icon and click the CLICK HERE text to re-sync:
You will then need to confirm that you want to sync again. Click Yes if so:
Hero Block
The hero block of the Home page only can be edited on an Agent Subdomain. Navigate to the CMS > Page Editor > Hero block:
If you would like to stop synchronizing the hero block from the Parent Website to the Agent Subdomain, click on the green "sync" icon and then the hyperlinked CLICK HERE:
If you would like to proceed, click on Yes in the confirmation message:
If you would like to re-sync the hero block on the Agent Subdomain with that of the Parent Website, go back to edit the hero and then click on the grey sync button, and then click the CLICK HERE to confirm that you would like to proceed with syncing the hero block with the Parent Website again:
Agent Block
Edit by clicking on the "Pages" icon in the top-left:
Find the Home/About/Reviews (depending on which you want to edit) on the list:
Once on that page, scroll down and find the agent block. Double-click or select the "Edit" icon in the top-right of that block:
On this block, you can edit the title, background color, and style.
Reviews Block
Do the same steps as outlined above, but find the reviews block (it looks like a chat bubble and will likely say "No Data" if never configured). Double-click or select the "Edit" icon in the top-right of that block:
On this block, you can edit the title, background color, reviews source (default/manual or Zillow), button text and action, and style.
Listings Block & Listing Filters
You will not be able to configure the criteria for all of the listing blocks on your Agent Subdomain. However, the system will automatically prioritize and present your listings first for the listing blocks located on the Home and Featured Listings pages as long as you have your settings configured correctly.
To have your listings prioritized when displayed in the listings blocks, make sure your license ID and MLS ID are present under CMS > Listing > MLS Integration, as outlined HERE.
You do have access to edit the All Listings and Sold Listings filters. You can edit these filters by going to Listings > Filters:
These filters can be synced from the Parent website. If you would like to stop syncing these filters from the Parent Website to the Agent Subdomain, click on the green "sync" icon and then the hyperlinked CLICK HERE text:
You can add up to three groups to prioritize which listings display first. More information on how to use these filter settings can be found here: Listing Filter Basics. If you would like to add more than three groups for filtering, you will need to upgrade to an Agent Website.
If you would like to re-sync the All Listings and Sold Listings filters from the Parent Website, click on the grey "sync" icon and then the hyperlinked CLICK HERE text.
Landing Pages
The landing page feature is still available but does not allow for the addition/deletion of blocks. The templates available are the only options that can be used to create new landing pages. This functionality is available on Agent Websites. You can reference the following article for more information on landing pages, just be sure to note that the customization options will not be available to you: Landing Pages.
Agent Subdomain Deactivation
Please note that an Agent Subdomain will be deleted automatically in the following scenarios:
- The agent who owns the Agent Subdomain is removed from the account
- The Group Website vanity domain is deleted or access to Lofty is revoked
FAQs
- As an agent, what if I would like more control over my website than what is currently available for an Agent Subdomain?
- As an Company Owner/Admin, what if I already have agents on my account but no subdomains set up?
- Can individual agents run Lofty lead generation campaigns using an Agent Subdomain? Or does it have to be an Agent Website?
- What if my agent does not need an Agent Subdomain?
- What is the difference between a subdomain and a third-level domain?
- How can I customize the navigation, and add pages, blocks, etc. to my subdomain?
- How do I get an Agent Subdomain if my Team Website is not on a "vanity domain"?
- Where does the Agent Subdomain contact info in the footer sync from?
As an agent, what if I would like more control over my website than what is currently available for a subdomain?
Consider upgrading to an Agent Website. Please check with your Account Owner/Admin if you are unable to find the option to upgrade. For more information on Agent Websites, see Agent Websites.
As an Company Owner/Admin, what if I already have agents on my account but no subdomains set up?
As soon as the requirements are met (outlined at the beginning of the article), subdomains will be created for existing agents as well as new agents. The main requirement that has to be met is that of the domain configuration. See Domain Configuration Guide: Agent Subdomain(s).
Can individual agents run Lofty lead generation campaigns using a subdomain? Or does it have to be an Agent Website?
Yes. Lofty lead generation can be run using a subdomain website (described in this article). Agent Websites will allow for additional customization to the website and landing pages for campaigns that agents might be running individually and not via Lofty. If you are interested in Lofty lead generation, navigate to the Lofty Marketplace to request more information:
What if my agent does not need a subdomain website?
If the conditions at the beginning of this article are met, the subdomains will be created automatically. If you would like for a subdomain to be deleted, please contact <support@lofty.com> so that our Tech Team can help process the request manually. You can also consider simply ignoring the subdomain website and if you want to avoid having agents editing/using this site, simply adjust the "Edit Own Website" permission (see Organization - Permission Profiles).
What is the difference between a subdomain and a third-level domain?
*IMPORTANT: Lofty subdomains can only be third-level domains.
A subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain, for example, west.example.com, go.link.example.com, and east.example.com are subdomains of the example.com domain.
A third-level domain is a specific subdomain that has only 3 parts. For example, west.example.com, go.example.com, and east.example.com are third-level domains (and even subdomains) of the example.com domain, but go.link.example.com is a subdomain but it is not a third-level domain as it has four parts (meaning it is actually a fourth level domain).
How can I customize the navigation, and add pages, blocks, etc. to my subdomain?
You will be unable to do this on a subdomain website. All existing functionality for subdomains is outlined in this article. If you would like more control and to have an individual website with all editable options, please consider upgrading to an Agent Website (see Agent Websites).
How do I get a subdomain if the parent website is not on a "vanity domain"?
Unfortunately, Lofty will not be able to build a subdomain website if this is the case. You may want to consider an Agent Website (see Agent Websites) and you can use either the provided ".lofty.com" domain or you can use your own if you have one.
Where does the subdomain contact info in the footer sync from?
The subdomain contact information will sync directly from the parent website. In other words, the parent website has a configuration for selecting the profile that will be displayed in the footer and any changes made here will also reflect automatically on the subdomain footers.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this topic or any others, please reach out to our Support Team via email at <support@lofty.com>, by phone at 1 (855) 981-7557, or by chat with us through your Lofty CRM.
Related terms: basic agent website, subdomain, subdomain original
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