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Connecting Your Domain: The Basics

This article explains the necessary steps for connecting your custom domain to your Format site.

Intro

There are many ways to connect a domain. At Format we connect domains using one method. This method is the only way to properly connect a domain to a Format site. Any other method will cause problems with your site.

When your domain is set up properly yourdomain.com will load your Format site with www.yourdomain.com showing in the address bar.

Throughout this document mysite, mysite.format.com and yourdomain.com are EXAMPLES ONLY you will replace these with your own unique names and domain name.

(Note: We have some registrar-specific articles in our Help section under Advanced Customization. Also, we can help you connect your domain. If you would like us to help please send us a Domain Help Request - you will need to be logged in for the link to work).

The Method: 3 Steps

You will need to do all three steps for your connection to work:

  1. Forward yourdomain.com to www.yourdomain.com
  2. Make a CNAME record pointing www.yourdomain.com to mysite.format.com
  3. Add yourdomain.com to your Format Account Settings > Domain

(Note that you will also need to be using your domain registrar's default nameservers in order for the connection to work.)

Add Forwarding
  1. On your registrar's site access 'Website Forwarding' (also called 'URL redirect', etc.)
  2. Create a forward from yourdomain.com to http://www.yourdomain.com
  3. Use a '301 permanent' forward/redirect.
  4. Do not use masking, stealth or 302 temporary forwarding.

The domains yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com are two separate web addresses (www.yourdomain.com is a subdomain of yourdomain.com).

You need to add this forwarding so that yourdomain.com will automatically load www.yourdomain.com

Common Issues:

  • DO NOT foward to your Format Address (in this example it is mysite.format.com) - this is the most common issue with domain connections.
  • Some registrars do not have forwarding or will make you pay extra to add it. Some will not let you forward to your own subdomain. If you are on one of these registrars you should transfer to a more flexible service. (We recommend Hover.com)
Format Domain Settings

Log in to your Format account.

  1. Click Settings
  2. Click Domain
  3. Under Format Address enter your unique site domain name and then click Save
  4. Under Add your own domain enter your existing registered domain name (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name) then click Save

The CNAME record from your registrar sends a request for www.yourdomain.com to Format. Format searches for the account that has mysite.format.com and loads your site for the visitor.

Connecting Domain Name - Pending

1. After clicking Save the request is submitted to check if the domain name is legitimate, unique and available.

Connecting Domain Name - Failed

1. Once the domain name has been checked it may fail due to a configuration issue.

Please re-check and Save.

If this still fails it would be best to send us a Domain Help Request so we can have a look (you will need to be logged in for the link to work).

Connecting Domain Name - Already Taken

1. Another possibility is that the domain name you have tried to connect has already been taken.

Make sure you are the registered owner of the domain name.

Please re-check and Save.

If this still fails it would be best to send us a Domain Help Request so we can have a look (you will need to be logged in for the link to work).

Connecting Domain Name - Connected

1. When the submitted domain name is verified you will receive a green 'tick' and the message 'Connected'.

Make a CNAME Record
  1. On your registrar's site access your DNS settings (this is usually under 'DNS Settings', 'DNS Records', 'DNS Zone Editor', etc. )
  2. Create a CNAME record.
  3. Set www to point to mysite.format.com

This CNAME record connects your domain to Format. It takes requests for www.yourdomain.com and sends them to Format.com.

Common Issues:

  • Virtually every registrar will allow you to add or edit a CNAME record. If yours doesn't then you should transfer to a different service. (We recommend Hover.com).
Check Your Domain Connection

Changes to your registrar's site are not instant! These changes can take up to 48 hours to take full effect (however, it usually takes a few hours).

It's best to check your connection after one day.

You will know that your domain connection is working when you enter yourdomain.com and your Format site loads with www.yourdomain.com in the address bar. (Be sure to check that www comes up in the address bar.)

Still not working?

You may have done everything correctly, just as this guide says, but your domain is still not working. What's going on?

There are many reasons why a connection may not work. At this point it would be best to send us a Domain Help Request so we can have a look (you will need to be logged in for the link to work).