Connect a domain

The Domain Settings page shows the selected site's default address and any custom domain. The default address remains available for review even when a custom domain is configured.

What a domain does for your site

A domain is the address visitors use to reach your public website. Your CMS site starts with a default address. You can also connect a custom address owned by your organization, such as www.yourcompany.com, so visitors use your own name in links to the site.

The domain identifies which CMS site should serve a visitor's request, including public pages and forms. Connecting a custom domain requires DNS records and verification before it becomes the site's canonical address for search engines. Plan site security for that hostname before relying on public forms there.

Review the default address

1. Select the site in App and open CMS → Site Settings → Domains.
2. In the default subdomain card, check the Generated URL, Setup state, and Behavior. Copy the URL if you need to review the site.
3. If the status needs attention, read the message on the card before changing anything else.

Add and verify a custom domain

1. In Custom domain setup, select Edit and enter the hostname you want visitors to use. Select Save.
2. Follow Add the DNS record below using the instructions shown for that hostname. Ask your domain's DNS administrator to make these changes if you do not manage DNS yourself.
3. Return to Domain Settings and select Check verification when it is available. Read the verification and certificate status until the domain is ready.
4. Recheck the site from its new address and review the Domain card on the CMS overview.

The custom domain becomes the site's canonical address for search engines only after verification. Until then, the default address remains usable. If verification is pending, compare the DNS values shown in the page with the records saved by your DNS administrator and check again later.

Add the DNS record

DNS records tell browsers where to send requests for your domain. You manage them with the DNS provider for your domain, which may be different from the company where you bought it.

1. Keep the CMS Domains page open after saving your custom hostname. Find DNS record to create. If instructions are not available yet, use Check verification again after provisioning completes.

2. Sign in to your domain's DNS provider and open its DNS records page for the correct domain. For example, www.example.com is managed within the example.com DNS zone.

3. Choose Add record and copy the fields shown in the CMS:

   CMS field	DNS provider field	What to enter
   Record type	Type	The exact type shown, such as CNAME.
   Host	Name or Host	The hostname shown. Some providers want only the subdomain, such as www, and append the domain automatically. Check the resulting full hostname.
   Value	Target, Content, or Value	Copy the exact destination shown in the CMS.
   TTL	TTL	Use the displayed value; if none is shown, keep the provider's default.
   Proxy status	Proxy or DNS mode, if offered	Follow the CMS recommendation, such as DNS only.

4. Save the record. If the provider reports a conflicting record for the same hostname, ask your DNS administrator to review it before replacing it. Keep unrelated records, including email records, unchanged.

5. Return to the CMS and select Check verification. DNS changes may take time to become visible. If verification is pending, compare the saved type, full hostname, destination, and proxy mode against the CMS instructions, then check again later.

6. Wait until both domain verification and the certificate status are ready, then open the custom address to confirm it serves the intended site.

Use the record values displayed for your own site; the example hostname above is only illustrative. If you cannot access your DNS provider or verification still fails after the values match, ask your organization administrator to contact support.