Custom Domains

Why use a custom domain

A custom domain like yourstudio.com makes your business look professional and established. It's easier for clients to remember, better for SEO, and builds trust. Your creavio website works with any domain you own.

Buying vs connecting a domain

• Already own a domain? You can connect it to creavio by updating your DNS settings. No need to transfer the domain away from your current registrar.
• Need to buy one? Purchase a domain from any registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains, GoDaddy, Cloudflare) and then connect it to creavio.

DNS setup

To connect your domain, you'll add DNS records at your domain registrar. creavio provides the exact records you need:

1. Go to Website > Settings > Custom Domain in creavio.
2. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourstudio.com).
3. creavio displays the DNS records to add: a CNAME for www pointing to customers.creav.io, and a TXT record at _creavio with the value shown in creavio. If your DNS provider has no CNAME flattening or ALIAS, set the root domain to forward to www at your registrar.
4. Log into your domain registrar and add the records.
5. Return to creavio and click Verify.

SSL certificates

Once your domain is verified, creavio automatically provisions an SSL certificate. This means your site loads over HTTPS with the padlock icon. You don't need to buy or install a certificate yourself. SSL is included at no extra cost.

Verification

DNS changes typically take 1 to 30 minutes. Some providers take longer. During this time, your domain might not resolve correctly. If verification fails on the first try, wait and try again.

Troubleshooting

• Domain not verifying? Double-check the DNS records match exactly what creavio shows. Extra spaces or typos will cause failures.
• Still showing old site? Clear your browser cache or try an incognito window. DNS caching can show stale results.
• www vs the root domain. Point www with the CNAME. If your DNS provider has no CNAME flattening or ALIAS, forward the root domain to www at your registrar.
• Email still works. Connecting your domain to creavio does not affect your email. MX records remain separate from the CNAME record.

If you run into issues, contact creavio support with your domain name and a screenshot of your DNS settings. We can usually identify the problem in minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What DNS records do I need to set?

creavio shows the exact DNS records: a CNAME for www pointing to customers.creav.io, and a TXT record at _creavio with the value shown in creavio. If your DNS provider has no CNAME flattening or ALIAS, set the root domain to forward to www at your registrar.

Can I use a subdomain instead?

Yes, you can connect a subdomain like portfolio.yourdomain.com instead of the root domain.

What if my domain is already hosting another site?

You can use a subdomain for your creavio site while keeping your main domain on its current host.