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Custom domains allow you to use your own domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) instead of the default Directify subdomain. Your directory will be served over HTTPS with an automatically managed SSL certificate.

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Step 1: Add Your Domain

  1. Go to your Directory Settings
  2. Click Custom Domain in the sidebar
  3. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com or www.yourdomain.com)
  4. Click Next
Adding custom domain in Directify

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Step 2: Choose Setup Method

After entering your domain, you’ll see two options for connecting your domain. Choose the method that works best for you.
DNS record configuration example

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Step 3: Wait for Verification

After configuring your DNS (either nameservers or CNAME records), click Submit to start the verification process. DNS propagation typically takes:
  • 1-5 minutes - Cloudflare, AWS Route 53
  • 1-4 hours - Google Domains, Namecheap
  • 24-48 hours - Nameserver changes at some registrars
You’ll receive an email notification when your domain is verified and active.
Domain verification process

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Step 4: SSL Certificate

Once DNS is verified, Directify automatically provisions a free SSL certificate. No action required - HTTPS is enabled automatically. Your directory will be accessible at https://yourdomain.com within minutes of DNS verification.
Successfully verified custom domain

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DNS Provider Examples

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Changing Nameservers

  1. Go to Domain List → click Manage next to your domain
  2. Find the Nameservers section
  3. Select Custom DNS
  4. Enter:
    • ns1.directify.app
    • ns2.directify.app
  5. Click the green checkmark to save
  1. Go to My Products → Domains
  2. Click on your domain → DNS → Nameservers
  3. Click Change Nameservers → Enter my own nameservers
  4. Enter:
    • ns1.directify.app
    • ns2.directify.app
  5. Click Save
  1. Go to DNS in the left sidebar
  2. Click Custom name servers
  3. Enter:
    • ns1.directify.app
    • ns2.directify.app
  4. Click Save
  1. Go to Domain Management
  2. Click the dropdown next to your domain → Edit
  3. Scroll to Authoritative Nameservers
  4. Enter:
    • ns1.directify.app
    • ns2.directify.app
  5. Click Submit

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Adding CNAME Records

  1. Go to your domain’s DNS settings
  2. Click Add record
  3. Add the first CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: @
    • Target: custom.directify.app
    • Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud) or Proxied (orange cloud)
  4. Add the second CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: www
    • Target: custom.directify.app
  1. Go to Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS
  2. Click Add New Record
  3. Add the first CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Host: @
    • Target: custom.directify.app
    • TTL: Automatic
  4. Add the second CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Host: www
    • Target: custom.directify.app
Namecheap may not support CNAME on root domain. Use the Nameservers method instead, or see workarounds below.
  1. Go to My Products → DNS
  2. Click Add in the Records section
  3. Add the first CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: @
    • Value: custom.directify.app
    • TTL: Default
  4. Add the second CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: www
    • Value: custom.directify.app
GoDaddy may not support CNAME on root domain. Use the Nameservers method instead, or see workarounds below.
  1. Go to DNS in the left sidebar
  2. Scroll to Custom records
  3. Click Manage custom records
  4. Add both CNAME records as shown in your setup wizard

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify DNS records are correct - Double-check all record types, names, and values
  • Clear local DNS cache - Run ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac)
  • Check propagation status - Use whatsmydns.net to verify your records are visible globally
  • Wait longer - Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate
  • Wait up to 1 hour after DNS verification for SSL to fully activate
  • Verify DNS is correct - SSL requires your domain to point to custom.directify.app (CNAME) or use Directify nameservers
  • Verify your DNS settings (nameservers or CNAME records)
  • Check for typos in record values
  • If using CNAME, ensure both root and www records are added
  • Ensure you’re editing DNS for the correct domain
  • Contact support on Discord if issues persist after 24 hours
This domain is already connected to another Directify directory. If you own this domain and need to transfer it, contact support.
Many DNS providers don’t support CNAME on root domains. The easiest solution is to use the Nameservers method (Option 1). See Root Domain Limitations for more details.

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Removing a Custom Domain

  1. Go to Directory Settings → Custom Domain
  2. Click Remove Domain
  3. Confirm the removal
Your directory will revert to using the default Directify subdomain. You can optionally revert your nameservers or remove the DNS records from your domain registrar.

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Advanced Configuration

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WWW and Non-WWW Handling

Directify automatically handles both www.yourdomain.com and yourdomain.com. No matter which version a visitor uses, they’ll reach your directory. We recommend:
  • Using Nameservers (Option 1): Both versions work automatically
  • Using CNAME (Option 2): Add both the root and www CNAME records

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Multiple domains

Currently, each directory supports one custom domain. If you need multiple domains pointing to the same directory, set up redirects at the DNS level to your primary custom domain.

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Root Domain (Apex) CNAME Limitations

Some DNS providers don’t support CNAME records on root/apex domains (e.g., yourdomain.com without any subdomain). This is a technical limitation of the DNS specification, not a Directify limitation.
Recommended Solution: Use the Nameservers method (Option 1) to avoid this issue entirely. Point your nameservers to ns1.directify.app and ns2.directify.app, and we handle everything automatically.

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How to check if your provider supports it

Try adding a CNAME record with @ as the name. If your provider shows an error like “CNAME not allowed on root domain” or “Cannot add CNAME to apex”, you’ll need to use one of the workarounds below.

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Providers that support root domain CNAME

These providers support CNAME flattening, ANAME, or ALIAS records on root domains:
  • Cloudflare (free) - Automatic CNAME flattening
  • AWS Route 53 - ALIAS records
  • DNSimple - ALIAS records
  • DNS Made Easy - ANAME records
  • NS1 - ALIAS records
  • Netlify DNS - Automatic handling
  • Vercel DNS - Automatic handling

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Providers that don’t support root domain CNAME

  • GoDaddy (basic DNS)
  • Namecheap (basic DNS)
  • Some traditional registrar DNS services

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Workarounds

Instead of yourdomain.com, use www.yourdomain.com:
  1. Set up www.yourdomain.com as your custom domain in Directify
  2. Set up a redirect from your root domain to the www subdomain
Using your registrar’s forwarding feature: Most registrars offer URL forwarding. Set up a redirect from yourdomain.com to www.yourdomain.com.
Cloudflare offers free DNS hosting with automatic CNAME flattening:
  1. Create a free account at cloudflare.com
  2. Add your domain to Cloudflare
  3. Update your domain’s nameservers to Cloudflare’s (provided during setup)
  4. Add your CNAME records in Cloudflare’s dashboard
You don’t need to transfer your domain - just point the nameservers to Cloudflare. Your domain registration stays with your current registrar.
Some providers offer ALIAS or ANAME records as alternatives to CNAME for root domains. Check your DNS provider’s documentation for:
  • “ALIAS record”
  • “ANAME record”
  • “Flattened CNAME”
  • “Virtual CNAME”
If available, use the same target (custom.directify.app) with an ALIAS/ANAME record type.

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