Skip to main content
Transform your directory from a subdomain to a professional custom domain. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic setup to advanced troubleshooting, ensuring your directory works seamlessly with your own domain.

​
Why Use a Custom Domain?

​
Professional Benefits

  • Brand Recognition - Use your own domain for stronger brand identity
  • Trust & Credibility - Custom domains appear more professional to visitors
  • SEO Advantages - Better search engine rankings and link authority
  • Marketing Value - Easier to remember and share your directory
  • Email Integration - Use the same domain for email addresses

​
Domain Types Supported

  • Root Domain - yourdirectory.com
  • Subdomain - tools.yourdomain.com or directory.yourbusiness.com
  • International Domains - Full Unicode and internationalized domain support

​
Quick Setup Overview

Connecting your custom domain involves these main steps:
  1. Add Domain - Configure your domain in Directify settings
  2. DNS Configuration - Set up DNS records at your domain provider
  3. Verification - Wait for DNS propagation and domain verification
  4. SSL Certificate - Automatic HTTPS certificate provisioning
  5. Testing - Verify everything works correctly
The entire process typically takes 5-10 minutes to configure, plus 1-48 hours for DNS propagation depending on your provider.

​
Step 1: Add Your Domain in Directify

  1. Go to your Directories list in the Directify dashboard
  2. Find your directory and click “Click to set custom domain”
  3. Enter your desired domain name
  4. Choose between root domain or subdomain configuration

​
Domain Configuration Options

​
Root Domain Setup

Perfect for dedicated directories:
  • Example: mydirectory.com
  • Requires A record pointing to our servers
  • Best for standalone directory websites

​
Subdomain Setup

Ideal for existing websites:
  • Example: directory.mycompany.com
  • Requires CNAME record pointing to your Directify subdomain
  • Great for businesses adding a directory to existing sites
Adding custom domain in Directify

​
Domain Validation

Directify automatically validates:
  • Domain format and syntax
  • Domain availability for use
  • Existing DNS configuration conflicts
  • SSL certificate compatibility

​
Step 2: DNS Configuration

​
DNS Records Required

​
For Root Domains (A Record)

Type: A
Name: @ (or blank)
Value: 159.223.235.17
TTL: 43200 (12 hours) or Auto

​
For Subdomains (CNAME Record)

Type: CNAME
Name: directory (or your chosen subdomain)
Value: your-directory.directify.app
TTL: 43200 (12 hours) or Auto

​
Optional: WWW Redirect (for root domains)

Type: CNAME
Name: www
Value: your-domain.com
TTL: 43200 (12 hours) or Auto
DNS record configuration example

​
Provider-Specific Instructions

​
GoDaddy

  1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
  2. Go to My Products → DNS
  3. Click Manage next to your domain
  4. Add the required A or CNAME record
  5. Save changes (propagation: 1-24 hours)

​
Namecheap

  1. Sign in to your Namecheap account
  2. Navigate to Domain List → Manage
  3. Go to Advanced DNS tab
  4. Add new record with the specified values
  5. Save all changes (propagation: 30 minutes - 24 hours)

​
Cloudflare

  1. Access your Cloudflare dashboard
  2. Select your domain
  3. Go to DNS → Records
  4. Add the DNS record
  5. Set proxy status to DNS only (gray cloud)
  6. Save record (propagation: 5-10 minutes)

​
Google Domains

  1. Open Google Domains console
  2. Select your domain
  3. Click DNS in the left sidebar
  4. Scroll to Custom resource records
  5. Add the required record
  6. Save (propagation: 1-4 hours)

​
AWS Route 53

  1. Open Route 53 console
  2. Go to Hosted zones
  3. Select your domain
  4. Click Create record
  5. Configure record with required values
  6. Save changes (propagation: 1-5 minutes)
Always set Cloudflare proxy status to “DNS only” (gray cloud) when using custom domains with Directify. Orange cloud proxying will prevent proper SSL certificate generation.

​
Step 3: Verification Process

​
Automatic Verification

Once DNS records are configured, Directify automatically:
  • Monitors DNS propagation status
  • Validates domain ownership
  • Provisions SSL certificates
  • Configures HTTPS redirects
  • Updates all internal links

​
Verification Timeline

  • Immediate - DNS record validation
  • 5-60 minutes - Fast DNS providers (Cloudflare, AWS)
  • 1-4 hours - Standard providers (Google, Namecheap)
  • 12-48 hours - Slower providers (some registrars)

​
Verification Status

Monitor progress in your Directify dashboard:
  • Pending - DNS records not yet detected
  • Verifying - Domain ownership confirmation in progress
  • SSL Provisioning - HTTPS certificate being generated
  • Active - Domain fully configured and working
Domain verification process

​
Step 4: SSL Certificate & HTTPS

​
Automatic SSL

Directify automatically provides:
  • Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates - Industry-standard encryption
  • Automatic renewal - Certificates renew before expiration
  • HTTPS enforcement - All traffic redirected to secure connection
  • HTTP/2 support - Faster loading for modern browsers

​
SSL Features

  • Wildcard support - Covers all subdomains automatically
  • Grade A+ security - Top-tier SSL configuration
  • HSTS headers - Enhanced security for repeat visitors
  • Perfect forward secrecy - Advanced cryptographic protection

​
Certificate Status

Track SSL status in real-time:
  • Pending - Certificate request submitted
  • Validating - Domain control validation
  • Issued - Certificate active and deployed
  • Auto-renewing - Automatic renewal enabled

​
Advanced Configuration

​
www vs non-www Setup

​
Prefer non-www (example.com)

Most common for directories:
  1. Set up A record for root domain
  2. Add CNAME for www → example.com
  3. Directify handles automatic redirection

​
Prefer www (www.example.com)

Traditional approach:
  1. Set up CNAME for www → your-directory.directify.app
  2. Set up redirect from root to www
  3. Configure in domain provider settings

​
Multiple Domain Management

  • Primary domain - Main domain for your directory
  • Alias domains - Additional domains that redirect to primary
  • Staging domains - Test domains for development
  • Regional domains - Different domains for different markets

​
Email Configuration

When using a custom domain, you may want email addresses:
  • Separate email hosting - Use providers like Google Workspace
  • DNS MX records - Configure email routing independently
  • Subdomain strategy - Use mail.yourdomain.com for email

​
Testing Your Custom Domain

​
Verification Checklist

✅ DNS Propagation - Use tools like whatsmydns.net
✅ HTTPS Access - Verify https://yourdomain.com works
✅ Redirect Testing - Check HTTP → HTTPS redirection
✅ Mobile Testing - Verify on mobile devices
✅ Performance - Test loading speeds
✅ Search Engines - Submit to Google Search Console

​
Testing Tools

  • DNS Checker - whatsmydns.net, dnschecker.org
  • SSL Testing - ssllabs.com/ssltest/
  • Speed Testing - gtmetrix.com, pagespeed.web.dev
  • Mobile Testing - Google Mobile-Friendly Test

​
Troubleshooting Common Issues

​
DNS Not Propagating

Problem: Domain not resolving after 24+ hours Solutions:
  • Verify DNS records are exactly correct
  • Check TTL settings (lower values propagate faster)
  • Clear local DNS cache: ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac)
  • Try different DNS servers (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1)

​
SSL Certificate Issues

Problem: “Not Secure” warning in browser Solutions:
  • Wait for certificate provisioning (up to 1 hour)
  • Verify domain is fully propagated first
  • Check for conflicting CAA records
  • Ensure no proxy services interfere

​
Cloudflare Configuration

Problem: Domain shows Cloudflare error pages Solutions:
  • Set proxy status to “DNS only” (gray cloud)
  • Disable Cloudflare SSL/TLS encryption mode
  • Check for conflicting Page Rules
  • Verify DNS records point to correct IP

​
Mixed Content Warnings

Problem: Some resources load over HTTP Solutions:
  • Update all internal links to HTTPS
  • Check third-party integrations
  • Review custom code for HTTP references
  • Enable HSTS in Cloudflare if used

​
Performance Issues

Problem: Site loads slowly on custom domain Solutions:
  • Verify geographic location of DNS provider
  • Check for unnecessary redirects
  • Monitor DNS resolution times
  • Consider using Cloudflare for CDN

​
Domain Management

​
Changing Domains

  1. Add new domain following standard process
  2. Wait for full verification and SSL
  3. Update all external links and bookmarks
  4. Set up redirects from old domain
  5. Remove old domain from Directify

​
Domain Removal

  1. Backup any domain-specific configurations
  2. Update DNS records at provider
  3. Remove domain from Directify settings
  4. Verify site accessibility on fallback domain

​
Domain Transfer

If transferring domain to new registrar:
  1. Note current DNS settings
  2. Complete domain transfer process
  3. Reconfigure DNS at new provider
  4. Verify continued functionality

​
Best Practices

​
Domain Selection

  • Keep it short - Easier to type and remember
  • Avoid hyphens - Can be confusing and less professional
  • Use relevant keywords - Helps with SEO and clarity
  • Choose proper TLD - .com for global, country codes for regional

​
SEO Considerations

  • Consistent structure - Use same domain format throughout
  • Avoid frequent changes - Domain changes can impact rankings
  • Submit to Search Console - Help Google index your custom domain
  • Update sitemaps - Ensure XML sitemaps reflect custom domain

​
Security Best Practices

  • Enable HSTS - Use HTTP Strict Transport Security
  • Monitor certificates - Set up expiration alerts
  • Use strong DNS providers - Choose reputable DNS services
  • Regular audits - Check domain and DNS configuration periodically
For the best user experience, choose a domain that’s easy to spell, remember, and closely related to your directory’s purpose or brand.

​
Verification Success

Once your domain is fully configured, you’ll see confirmation in your Directify dashboard:
Successfully verified custom domain

​
Post-Setup Tasks

  1. Update bookmarks - Change any saved links to new domain
  2. Social media - Update profiles with new domain
  3. Email signatures - Update business communications
  4. Marketing materials - Update printed and digital materials
  5. Analytics - Configure tracking for new domain
Your directory is now live on your custom domain with enterprise-grade SSL security and optimal performance!

Subdomain Setup

Learn about free subdomain configuration

Directory Customization

Customize your directory design and branding
⌘I