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Setting up your custom domain
Setting up your custom domain

How to connect your custom domain via your domain registrar

Brie avatar
Written by Brie
Updated yesterday

Custom domains are available as part of the Milkshake Pro Plus subscription.

Setting up your custom domain

If you want to use a custom domain with your Milkshake website, there are two main ways to set it up. We strongly recommend using a subdomain for the easiest setup. If you want to connect your root domain, there are additional steps required.

Option 1: The simple solution – use a subdomain (recommended)

The easiest way to connect your custom domain is by setting up a subdomain, such as links.yourdomain.com. This method works with almost all domain registrars and does not require any additional services.

What is a subdomain?

A subdomain is an extension of your main domain that allows you to create separate sections of your website. It appears before your primary domain name in a web address.

For example:

  • Root domain: yourdomain.com

  • Subdomain: links.yourdomain.com

In this example, links is the subdomain.

Steps:

  1. In the Milkshake app, enter your custom domain including your subdomain (e.g., links.yourdomain.com)
    ​

  2. Log in to your domain registrar, this is the service you purchased your domain from (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hover).

  3. Go to your DNS settings and find the option to create a new CNAME record.

  4. Create a CNAME record:

    • Host/Name: Enter the same subdomain you entered in the Milkshake App (in our example, this value would be links)

    • Value/Points to: cname.milkshake-dns.com

    • TTL: Leave as default or set to the lowest value allowed.

  5. Save your changes and wait for the DNS changes to become available (this can take up to 24 hours).

  6. In the Milkshake App, navigate to custom domain management and tap "Connect domain".

  7. Stay on the connecting screen and wait for two minutes as we attempt to connect your domain

NB: The values in this image are examples only! Use the values you see in the Milkshake App to set up your own DNS.

8. Your domain should now be connected! If it is not, wait for 24 hours for the DNS record you have added to become available and then try Step 6-7 again.

Option 2: Connecting a root domain

If you want visitors to be able to access your site via your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com), you will need to use an external DNS provider like Cloudflare to enable CNAME flattening. Please note this is a more complex technical process than Option 1.

Why is Cloudflare required?

Most registrars do not allow CNAME records at the root domain level. Cloudflare provides a workaround by offering CNAME flattening, which allows a CNAME record to behave like an A record.

What is CNAME flattening?

CNAME flattening allows a CNAME record to be used at the root domain level, essentially directing traffic without requiring an A record. Most domain registrars do NOT support this functionality. Cloudflare is the most well known provider that supports this functionality.

Steps:

  1. In the Milkshake app, enter your root domain (yourdomain.com)

  2. Create a free Cloudflare account

  3. Add your domain to your Cloudflare account

  4. Leave the default 'Quick scan for DNS records' selected

  5. Select the free Cloudflare plan when prompted, you will not require any paid functionality for this setup

  6. As part of adding your domain, you will be prompted to 'Review your DNS records'.

  7. Delete any A, AAA, or CNAME records that Cloudflare has automatically detected

  8. Create a new CNAME record:

    • Name: @ (enter this symbol exactly)

    • Target: cname.milkshake-dns.com

    • TTL: Leave as auto

    • Proxy: Leave as on

  9. Save your new record

  10. After creating your new CNAME record, you may see a warning about the hostname not being covered by a certificate. Don't worry about this, Milkshake will assign a certificate to you once your domain is set up.

  11. Tap continue

  12. You will be navigated to "Last step: Update your nameservers to activate Cloudflare"

  13. Follow the Cloudflare instructions carefully to update your nameserver records with your domain registrar, this is the service you purchased your domain from (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hover).

  14. Wait for your DNS changes to become available (this can take up to 24 hours). Cloudflare should email you when this process has been completed.

    If you run into issues with Cloudflare setup please check their detailed setup guide.

  15. In the Milkshake App, navigate to custom domain management and tap "Connect domain"

16. Your domain should now be connected! If it is not, wait for 24 hours for the DNS record you have added to become available and then try Step 14-15 again.

Root domain setup instructional video:

FAQ

Are there other setup approaches?

Yes! There are lots of different ways to set up domains but they can be pretty technical and complex. We have documented the main two ways we recommend people use Milkshake custom domains. For information about your specific registrar we recommend looking up their documentation and instruction guides.

I need help

If you get stuck, the Milkshake team is here to help. While we can't provide instructions specific to every domain registrar out there (there's a lot of them!) we will do our best to make sure you get set up successfully.

While you waiting for a response from our team, check out our troubleshooting tips.

Your Milkshake Pro Plus subscription comes with priority customer support. Reach out to us via 'Contact us' in the Milkshake App.

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