Every website automatically gets a web address as soon as it's generated. However, this web address is not published to the internet. You can publish when you are ready — no domain purchase required.
This article explains the three types of domains your site can have, what your default address looks like, and how to manage them
Your default web address
When your website is first created, it's automatically assigned a free subdomain in this format: yourbusiness.talo.com
The "yourbusiness" part is based on your company name from your business profile. The system cleans up your company name to create a valid web address:
Converts everything to lowercase
Removes spaces and special characters
Keeps only letters and numbers
Limits the length to 50 characters
Examples:
"Joe's Plumbing" becomes
joesplumbing.talo.com"Smith & Sons, LLC" becomes
smithsonsllc.talo.com"Austin Academy" becomes
austinacademy.talo.com
If the address generated from your company name is already taken by another business, a number is automatically added to the end (for example, austinacademy-2.talo.com).
The three types of domains
Your website can have up to three different domains. The system shows visitors the most professional one available.
1. Custom domain (highest priority)
A domain you own, like MyWebsite.com. Once connected, it becomes your primary address and visitors see it instead of any subdomain. To learn more, see our guide on connecting a custom domain.
2. Branded subdomain (default)
The friendly yourbusiness.talo.com address generated from your company name. This is what most providers use to start, and you can rename it any time.
3. Temporary domain (fallback)
A backup domain using a unique identifier (for example, abc123.talo.com). It's automatically created when your website is initialized and is always available as a fallback if your other domains aren't connected.
Which domain do visitors see?
The system follows a priority order to decide which domain to show:
Custom domain — if you've connected one, this is what visitors see
Branded subdomain — shown if you haven't connected a custom domain
Temporary domain — only shown if neither of the above exists
Only the highest-priority domain is shown in your settings to keep things clear.
Managing your domains
To view or manage your domains, go to Settings > Domains. From here you can:
See all your connected domains and which one is primary
Add an existing custom domain
Rename your branded subdomain
Remove a custom domain
Provision an SSL certificate if needed
Renaming your branded subdomain
If you'd like a different subdomain name (for example, you've rebranded or your auto-generated name isn't ideal), you can rename it.
Go to Settings > Domains
Click the three-dot menu next to your subdomain
Choose Rename subdomain
Enter your new subdomain prefix
Click Save
Rules for subdomain names:
Must be 50 characters or fewer
Only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens
Cannot start or end with a hyphen
Cannot be a reserved word (the system will let you know)
Must be unique across the platform
Changes take effect immediately.
Getting a branded subdomain
If your business profile didn't have a company name when your website was set up, you might only have the temporary fallback domain. You can create a branded subdomain any time.
Go to Settings > Domains
Click Get a branded URL
Enter your desired subdomain prefix
Click Create
SSL and security
Every domain — subdomain or custom — automatically includes an SSL certificate. Your visitors will always see the secure HTTPS lock icon in their browser. No extra configuration is required.
Hosting and performance
Your website is served through a global content delivery network (CDN), which means:
Fast loading times for visitors anywhere in the world
Automatic scaling for traffic spikes
High availability with built-in redundancy
Optimized image and file delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one domain?
Yes. You can have a custom domain and a subdomain at the same time. The custom domain is shown to visitors, and the subdomain stays available as a backup.
Will my web address change if I rename my business?
Your subdomain doesn't update automatically when you change your company name. You can rename your subdomain manually from Settings > Domains any time.
Do I have to use a custom domain?
No. Your yourbusiness.talo.com subdomain is fully featured, secure, and free forever. A custom domain is optional for businesses who want a fully branded web address.