Connecting a Custom Domain

What Is a Custom Domain?

A custom domain is your own web address:
- Your domain: yoursite.com
- Instead of: yourprojectname.webflow.io

Getting a Domain

You need to purchase a domain from a domain registrar:
- Popular registrars: Namecheap, GoDaddy, Google Domains, Bluehost
- Cost: Usually $10-15/year
- Alternative: Use a free yourname.webflow.io subdomain

Connecting Your Domain to Webflow

Step 1: Verify Domain Ownership
1. Go to Settings → Hosting
2. Click Connect domain
3. Enter your domain name
4. Webflow gives you a verification code

Step 2: Update Domain DNS
1. Log into your domain registrar account
2. Find DNS Settings or Nameservers
3. Add Webflow's nameservers:
- ns1.webflow.io
- ns2.webflow.io
- ns3.webflow.io
- ns4.webflow.io
4. Save changes
5. Wait 24-48 hours for changes to propagate

Step 3: Webflow Automatically Configures
After nameserver changes:
1. Webflow detects the domain
2. Automatically configures SSL
3. Your site becomes available at yoursite.com
4. Old webflow.io subdomain still works (redirect)

Alternative: CNAME Records

If you want to keep current nameservers:
1. In Webflow Settings, choose CNAME Record option
2. Webflow provides a CNAME record
3. Add this record in your registrar's DNS
4. Takes effect within hours

Using Subdomain

You can also use a subdomain:
- blog.yoursite.com
- shop.yoursite.com
- app.yoursite.com

Process is the same - just use the subdomain in step 1.

Multiple Domains

You can connect multiple domains to one Webflow site:
1. Follow the connection process for each domain
2. Choose which is the primary domain
3. Others redirect to the primary

Changing Your Domain

To switch to a different domain:
1. Connect the new domain (both will work initially)
2. Set the new domain as primary in Settings
3. Old domain redirects to new domain

Email Forwarding

Your domain registrar may offer email forwarding:
- contact@yoursite.com forwards to your email
- Set up in registrar's control panel
- Webflow doesn't handle email directly