Connecting a Domain Name

Connecting a Domain Name

This guide walks you through the process of connecting your custom domain to your Pala site.

Important Notes About Domains

  • Your site must be connected to a subdomain rather than a root domain

  • If you want to use your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com), you'll need to:

    1. Set up the site using www.yourdomain.com

    2. Forward your root domain to the www subdomain (301 redirect)

Connecting Your Domain

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain

  1. Ensure you own the domain you want to connect

  2. Make sure you have access to manage your domain's DNS settings

  3. Decide which subdomain you want to use (e.g., www.yourdomain.com or app.yourdomain.com)

Step 2: Configure in Pala

  1. Click the ‘Publish’ button in the top toolbar

  2. Click the "Connect Custom Domain" button

  3. Enter your full domain name including the subdomain (e.g., www.superduperwebsite.com)

  4. Click "Connect Custom Domain" to initiate the connection

Step 3: Configure DNS

After connecting your domain in Pala, you'll need to update your DNS settings:

  1. Go to your domain registrar or DNS provider

  2. Create a CNAME record:

    • Name: Your subdomain (e.g., www or app)

    • Value: Your Pala site's default domain (e.g., your-site-id.palacms.site)

  3. If using the root domain with www:

    • Create a URL redirect or forward from yourdomain.com to www.yourdomain.com

Verifying Connection

After configuring your DNS:

  1. Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours, usually takes minutes)

  2. Visit your custom domain to verify it's working

  3. Check that HTTPS is working correctly

Common Issues

Domain Not Connecting

  • Verify DNS records are set up correctly

  • Ensure you're using a subdomain, not the root domain

  • Check for typos in the domain name

  • Wait for DNS propagation to complete

HTTPS Problems

  • Verify the CNAME record points to your Pala site domain

  • Allow up to 24 hours for SSL certificate provisioning

Root Domain Issues

If you're having trouble with root domain forwarding:

  • Ensure your DNS provider supports root domain forwarding

  • Use a permanent (301) redirect from root to www

  • Verify the forwarding is configured for both HTTP and HTTPS

Need Help?

If you encounter issues:

  1. Double-check all DNS settings

  2. Verify domain ownership

  3. Ensure your domain is active and not expired

  4. Contact your DNS provider for specific DNS-related issues

  5. Reach out to Pala support for platform-specific problems