What you need from your website host
- The IP address for the root domain, used in an A record.
- The target for www, used in a CNAME record, often a name like yourstore.host.example.
- Sometimes an AAAA record for IPv6 and a TXT record to prove you own the domain.
Your host lists these on its custom domain page. Copy them exactly.
Point your domain with A and CNAME records
1. Open the DNS tab
Go to Dashboard, then Domains, select the domain and open the DNS tab. The domain must use our nameservers for these records to work. The tab shows a notice if it does not.
2. Add the A record for the root domain
Click Add record, choose type A, leave Host as @, paste the IP address and save. Remove any older A record on @ that points somewhere else.
3. Add the CNAME record for www
Click Add record, choose type CNAME, enter www as Host, paste the target from your host and save.
4. Add any verification record
If your host asks for a TXT record, add it the same way. See add a TXT record.
5. Confirm at your host
Go back to your website host and click verify or connect. Once it sees the records, it issues an SSL certificate for your domain.
Typical records for a website
| Type | Host | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | IP address from your host |
| CNAME | www | target name from your host |
| TXT | @ or a name from your host | verification text from your host |
The site still shows the old page. Why?
DNS changes can take time to reach every network. Wait an hour and try in a private browser window. Old records with a long TTL can take longer.
My .app or .dev domain does not open. What is wrong?
These extensions only work over HTTPS. Make sure your host has issued an SSL certificate. Read the .app domain and .dev domain pages.
Should I forward the domain instead?
If you only want visitors sent to another address, such as a social profile, use URL forwarding instead of DNS records.