Purchase a personalized domain via Webflow

In case you do not possess a personalized domain, you have the option to procure a domain from any domain name provider, or you can acquire a domain and link it to your site automatically in the Site settings > Publishing tab > Production.

Before commencing:

Make sure that you have associated a Site plan with your site. Explore additional information regarding Webflow Site plans.

Please note:

The guidance within this tutorial adheres to the recommended practices for configuring the www subdomain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com) as the primary domain. If you prefer to configure the root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) as the primary, you will have to make alternate configurations to your DNS records post domain purchase. Learn more about designating the root domain as the primary domain on SSL hosting.

Within this tutorial, you will understand the following:

1. How to explore and buy a new domain
2. Publishing instructions for verification

Searching for and purchasing a new domain

Once you have linked a Site plan to your site, proceed with the following steps to search for and purchase a new domain:

1. Navigate to Site settings > Publishing tab > Production
2. Select Add a custom domain 
3. Hit Buy new domain 
4. Input the desired domain for purchase (e.g., yourdomain.com) 
5. Select Search 
6. Proceed with the purchasing steps on IONOS 
7. Click Done once redirected to Site settings > Publishing tab

You will need to either log in to your existing IONOS account or create a new one during the checkout procedure.

This process will incorporate both your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) and your www subdomain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com) to your site. 

Please note: 

Reminder:

The default domain is automatically established as the www subdomain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com). Configuring the root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) as the default necessitates distinct DNS record settings. Delve deeper into configuring the root domain as the default domain on SSL hosting. 

‍Reminder:

DNS modifications may require up to 48 hours to mirror globally as DNS caches expire, although this typically concludes within a few hours.

Verifying and publishing your site

Prior to publishing your site on your custom domain, validate the ownership of any custom domains you have procured and/or linked to Webflow. Upon linking a custom domain using the Buy new domain feature, Webflow automatically inserts a TXT record into your DNS settings, containing a one-time verification code to authenticate ownership of the linked domain. 

To finalize the verification procedure and publish your site from Site settings:

1. Click on Verify domain
2. Wait for the confirmation message verifying the custom domain
3. Select Publish to initiate the publishing menu
4. Validate the domain(s) you intend to publish your site to
5. Tap on Publish to selected domains

Please note:

If you append a new domain or subdomain post configuration of your default domain, the new domain or subdomain may not display within the publish menu. To address this, access Site settings > Publishing tab > Production and choose Make default next to the default domain. Subsequently, publish your site to the new domain or subdomain and re-designate the default domain. 

Acquire further insights on publishing your site.