Connect a Domain to a WordPress Site

Connecting a domain makes your WordPress site reachable at your own address, with a security certificate so the page loads over HTTPS. You can attach a main domain and extra subdomains.

Before you start

• Work in the Live environment. Domain settings are disabled in Staging; use the selector at the top right to switch.
• Have access to your domain's DNS settings at your registrar or DNS provider.
• If you use Cloudflare, turn its proxy off for these records.
• The same domain cannot be attached to two accounts at once.

Add your main domain

1. Click Sites > WordPress, then Manage Website.
2. In Manage Your Domain, click + Add Domain.
3. Enter the domain name.
4. Choose Auto Configure if your registrar supports it, or Add Manually.
5. Once the domain passes the availability check, add the TXT records shown to your DNS provider to confirm ownership and issue the certificate.
6. After they verify, add the CNAME and A records shown.
7. Click Verify DNS Records.

Add a subdomain

The steps are the same, but you skip the TXT records. Enter something like blog.yourbrand.com, add the CNAME and A records shown, and click Verify DNS Records.

Read the status tags

• SSL issued / SSL not issued for the certificate.
• Verified / Not verified for DNS.

You can attach up to five domains or subdomains, choose one as primary, and switch between the www and non-www version with a single option.

Troubleshooting

Set the TTL value to the lowest option (around 600 seconds) to speed up updates. Most changes appear within an hour, but some take up to 48 hours. If the root domain will not connect, remove stray A, AAAA, or TXT records that point elsewhere. Use exactly the values on your screen, as they are unique to your site.

Good to know: Duplicate records that point to old hosting are the most common reason verification fails, so delete them before adding the new ones.