✳️ How to change your Skool URL and is customizing it even worth it?

Aug 13 (edited) • ✳️ Skool

Hey everybody!

I've been diving deep into the whole custom URL debate for Skool communities, and I wanted to share some insights that might save you both money and headaches.

⚫ The Custom URL Basics

If you're on Skool's hobby plan, you'll have those random numbers at the end of your domain (like skool.com/yourcommunity-12345). With the Pro plan, you can change it once for free, then it's $99 for additional changes.

Here's the thing though - Skool didn't always allow URL changes, and for good reason. When you change your URL, the entire system needs to reindex everything, which can be a technical nightmare if not handled properly.

⚫ Why You Might Want a Custom URL

• Brand Recognition - A clean URL like skool.com/accounting looks way more professional than skool.com/accounting-8472

• Merchandise Potential - Short, memorable URLs are perfect for printing on swag

• Professional Credibility - Shows you're investing in your community with a Pro account

• Name Protection - If you have a unique company name, securing it prevents others from grabbing it

⚫ But Here's the Plot Twist…

Some of the most successful Skool communities don't even bother with custom URLs!

I checked out the top earners on Skool's discovery page:

• A forex community making ~$150k/month still uses "forex-4-women-VIP-members-4710"

• Another top community pulling in ~$300k/month rocks "evolve-8484"

So clearly, your URL isn't the make-or-break factor for success.

⚫ The Smart Strategy for URL Selection

If you do go custom, here's a pro tip: go short and generic rather than specific.

Example: If your company is "Thunderbolt Accounting," don't use skool.com/thunderbolt-accounting. Instead, grab skool.com/accounting.

Why? Because if you later rebrand your community to "Cool Accountants" or "Accounting Crew," the URL still makes sense and you won't need to pay another $99 to change it.

⚫ When NOT to Change Your URL

This is crucial!

Don't change your URL if:

• You're still figuring out your community's focus

• You haven't settled on a final name

• You've already been promoting your community with the numbered URL

Why? Because changing your custom URL breaks ALL existing links - from social media posts, email campaigns, everywhere. However, if you keep the original numbered URL and promote with that, it will always redirect to your custom domain if you change it later.

⚫ My Take

As someone who admittedly has a bit of a domain addiction (I've got skool.com/educate and skool.com/pro), I love having clean URLs. But honestly? Focus on building an amazing community first. The URL is just window dressing.

Your content, engagement, and value proposition matter 1000x more than whether you have numbers in your URL.

⚫ Quick Decision Framework

Get a custom URL if:

• You have an established brand name

• You're certain about your community's direction

• You want that professional edge

• You have the Pro plan budget anyway

⚫ Skip it if:

• You're just starting out

• You're still experimenting with concepts

• Budget is tight

• You're already getting traction with your current URL

• You have a public community that you only want to use for SEO

What's your experience with custom URLs? Has anyone seen a noticeable difference in conversion rates after switching? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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Starting a new Skool community? Skool has a 14 day free trial and then $9/m - Please consider using my referral link to support this community. Thank you 🙏 (all the links are referral links)

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