Connect your custom domain to your Kleap ?
If you have purchased a domain from an external provider (such as GoDaddy, Google, Infomaniak or 1&1), you can connect it to your site by following the procedure below 🥳.
At the end of these steps, your domain remains registered with the hosting provider you purchased it from but is connected to your Kleap.
Before you start, read our specifications for connecting an external domain.
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In order to follow this guide, you must have a domain registered with a third party provider. Once you have connected your domain by following the steps in this guide, the domain must remain registered with that provider to remain connected to your Kleap site.
Your domain provider must offer full DNS access. If not, you will need to transfer the domain to a new provider before connecting it to Kleap.
It is recommended that you use the default name servers of your domain provider and update the DNS settings in your domain account.
Most domains connect to a site within 24 hours, but it can take up to 72 hours. Please bear this in mind if you have a deadline to meet.
If you are just starting out and would like more hands-on help, you can call Kleap support or a certified expert.
You can connect your domain to a Kleap trial or paid site. The free version of Kleap does not allow you to connect a custom domain.
If you have an e-mail account associated with your domain name, you can continue to use it after the domain is connected to Kleap. Before connecting your domain name, review the recommendations and options.
You can use multiple custom domains for your site, and connect or register as many as you like.
You cannot connect a third party domain to a specific page on your site. All connected domains direct visitors to the home page and lead to the main domain.
You cannot connect an external domain to a parked domain page.
You cannot connect a custom domain name to Kleap if the domain name includes the word "Kleap" or "sqsp".
Domains containing special characters such as ü, é, or ñ may not display correctly in all browsers. If a browser cannot display the character, it reformats the domain name with additional characters and dashes. For example, the domain "übercool.de" is redirected to "xn--bercool-m2a.de" in browsers that do not support special characters.
In addition to the general instructions on this page, we also offer step-by-step guides for many well-known providers:
1&1 IONOS
Bluehost
Crazy Domains
Dotster
DreamHost
Infomaniak
eNom
GoDaddy
Cloudflare
Google Domains
HostGator
Hover
IWantMyName
Name.com
Namecheap
Network Solutions
Register.com
Strato
WordPress
Yahoo
To connect your domain, go to the Domains panel:
Open the site options panel and click on Custom Domain.
Click on I already have a domain.
Enter the full name of the domain you are connecting in the Enter Domain field, then click the submit button.
Kleap will automatically add the www or non-www version of your domain.
Note: If you get a message that "This domain is already connected to another Kleap site", check your other Kleap sites to determine which site the domain is connected to. Then disconnect it from this site.
Kleap will also automatically add a redirect from the non-www to the www version of your site. Make sure that both settings are correct in order to get your domain working properly.
After you have added your domain, the Domain Control Panel will appear. This panel displays the records you need to enter into your provider's account to connect your domain to your Kleap site. Keep this page open to view them as needed.
Your domain records may appear in green or red, depending on the DNS information your domain provider sends us.
Kleap_DNS_settings_panel_domain_connection_in_progress.jpg
In a new browser tab or window, log in to your domain account, then look for your domain's DNS settings. Depending on your provider, your domain's DNS record management settings may be called DNS, Advanced DNS Records, Manage Domains, or some other similar name.
Once you have located the settings, you may find that you already have DNS records in place. Some providers may require you to change or delete them so that your domain redirects to your Kleap site.
After you find out where to manage your DNS settings, you will create these records.
Note: Do not delete the Mail eXchanger records during this process. These records allow the connection to your email address. Deleting them could interfere with your email service.
In the first row of the Kleap DNS Settings, copy the IP address under the Value column. This numeric address leads to your Kleap hosting.
Depending on your provider, there may be A-records already in place. If so, change all existing A-records with Host Name @ so that their Points to field matches the values below.
In your provider's DNS manager, create an A record with the following values:
A - @ - 76.76.21.21
If you are unable to add this A record due to your provider's settings, change the current A record.
If your provider does not accept @ as the Host Name, we recommend that you leave the Host/Host Name field blank or enter your domain name without the "www" at the beginning.
Note: Once the A record is entered, your domain site will load your Kleap. Check that the next part, the CNAME for the www version of your site, also works.
In the second line of the Kleap DNS Settings, the letters www appear just below it. This record should lead to the address cname.vercel-dns.
Depending on your provider, you may already have a CNAME record aliased to www. If so, change this CNAME record to show cname.vercel-dns. (For most providers, add this without the last ".)
In your provider's DNS manager, create a CNAME record with the following values:
Alias or host name Type or record type Directs to
www - CNAME or Alias CNAME - cname.vercel-dns
Note: If you have difficulty adding this record or if your domain provider does not support CNAME records, add an A record with the following information:
Alias or Host Name: www
Points To or Details: 76.76.21.21
In Step 6, add only the three remaining A records.
It will take 24 to 72 hours for the connection to work properly.
In the meantime, you can check the progress of the connection and the domain settings on the Custom Domain Name page.
To access the Domain Overview panel, open the Domains panel, and then click your domain. Or, if you see a ☰ icon in the upper left corner, open that menu and click Domains.
In this panel, you can:
Check the progress of the connection: Site Options, then Custom Domain, the information about your domain is updated automatically. Check that the www and non-www versions are correct. When the domain is correctly linked, it will be marked 'Validated' in green.
See error messages - After following the steps in this guide, it is normal for your domain to display error messages for 72 hours. If the error messages continue to appear after 72 hours, see the next section for troubleshooting connection problems.
SSL certificates are automatically generated for your connected domains
If we detect that your records have not been correctly configured, the message DNS Error will be displayed on your page. To resolve the problem, use the guidance written in red to determine exactly which CNAME and A records you need to change with your domain provider.
For help with configuring the DNS settings at your provider, we advise you to contact the support team of the provider in question.
At the end of these steps, your domain remains registered with the hosting provider you purchased it from but is connected to your Kleap.
Before you start, read our specifications for connecting an external domain.
Watch the video tutorial
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Before you start
Preparation
In order to follow this guide, you must have a domain registered with a third party provider. Once you have connected your domain by following the steps in this guide, the domain must remain registered with that provider to remain connected to your Kleap site.
Your domain provider must offer full DNS access. If not, you will need to transfer the domain to a new provider before connecting it to Kleap.
It is recommended that you use the default name servers of your domain provider and update the DNS settings in your domain account.
Most domains connect to a site within 24 hours, but it can take up to 72 hours. Please bear this in mind if you have a deadline to meet.
If you are just starting out and would like more hands-on help, you can call Kleap support or a certified expert.
Features
You can connect your domain to a Kleap trial or paid site. The free version of Kleap does not allow you to connect a custom domain.
If you have an e-mail account associated with your domain name, you can continue to use it after the domain is connected to Kleap. Before connecting your domain name, review the recommendations and options.
You can use multiple custom domains for your site, and connect or register as many as you like.
Restrictions
You cannot connect a third party domain to a specific page on your site. All connected domains direct visitors to the home page and lead to the main domain.
You cannot connect an external domain to a parked domain page.
You cannot connect a custom domain name to Kleap if the domain name includes the word "Kleap" or "sqsp".
Domains containing special characters such as ü, é, or ñ may not display correctly in all browsers. If a browser cannot display the character, it reformats the domain name with additional characters and dashes. For example, the domain "übercool.de" is redirected to "xn--bercool-m2a.de" in browsers that do not support special characters.
Vendor-specific guides
In addition to the general instructions on this page, we also offer step-by-step guides for many well-known providers:
1&1 IONOS
Bluehost
Crazy Domains
Dotster
DreamHost
Infomaniak
eNom
GoDaddy
Cloudflare
Google Domains
HostGator
Hover
IWantMyName
Name.com
Namecheap
Network Solutions
Register.com
Strato
WordPress
Yahoo
Step 1 - Start the connection in Kleap
To connect your domain, go to the Domains panel:
Open the site options panel and click on Custom Domain.
Click on I already have a domain.
Enter the full name of the domain you are connecting in the Enter Domain field, then click the submit button.
Kleap will automatically add the www or non-www version of your domain.
Note: If you get a message that "This domain is already connected to another Kleap site", check your other Kleap sites to determine which site the domain is connected to. Then disconnect it from this site.
Kleap will also automatically add a redirect from the non-www to the www version of your site. Make sure that both settings are correct in order to get your domain working properly.
Step 2 - View your DNS settings
After you have added your domain, the Domain Control Panel will appear. This panel displays the records you need to enter into your provider's account to connect your domain to your Kleap site. Keep this page open to view them as needed.
Your domain records may appear in green or red, depending on the DNS information your domain provider sends us.
Kleap_DNS_settings_panel_domain_connection_in_progress.jpg
Step 3 - Login to your domain account
In a new browser tab or window, log in to your domain account, then look for your domain's DNS settings. Depending on your provider, your domain's DNS record management settings may be called DNS, Advanced DNS Records, Manage Domains, or some other similar name.
Once you have located the settings, you may find that you already have DNS records in place. Some providers may require you to change or delete them so that your domain redirects to your Kleap site.
After you find out where to manage your DNS settings, you will create these records.
Note: Do not delete the Mail eXchanger records during this process. These records allow the connection to your email address. Deleting them could interfere with your email service.
Step 4 - Add the A record
In the first row of the Kleap DNS Settings, copy the IP address under the Value column. This numeric address leads to your Kleap hosting.
Depending on your provider, there may be A-records already in place. If so, change all existing A-records with Host Name @ so that their Points to field matches the values below.
In your provider's DNS manager, create an A record with the following values:
A - @ - 76.76.21.21
If you are unable to add this A record due to your provider's settings, change the current A record.
If your provider does not accept @ as the Host Name, we recommend that you leave the Host/Host Name field blank or enter your domain name without the "www" at the beginning.
Note: Once the A record is entered, your domain site will load your Kleap. Check that the next part, the CNAME for the www version of your site, also works.
Step 5 - Add a CNAME record for the www
In the second line of the Kleap DNS Settings, the letters www appear just below it. This record should lead to the address cname.vercel-dns.
Depending on your provider, you may already have a CNAME record aliased to www. If so, change this CNAME record to show cname.vercel-dns. (For most providers, add this without the last ".)
In your provider's DNS manager, create a CNAME record with the following values:
Alias or host name Type or record type Directs to
www - CNAME or Alias CNAME - cname.vercel-dns
Note: If you have difficulty adding this record or if your domain provider does not support CNAME records, add an A record with the following information:
Alias or Host Name: www
Points To or Details: 76.76.21.21
In Step 6, add only the three remaining A records.
Step 6 - Wait: the connection is being established
It will take 24 to 72 hours for the connection to work properly.
In the meantime, you can check the progress of the connection and the domain settings on the Custom Domain Name page.
To access the Domain Overview panel, open the Domains panel, and then click your domain. Or, if you see a ☰ icon in the upper left corner, open that menu and click Domains.
In this panel, you can:
Check the progress of the connection: Site Options, then Custom Domain, the information about your domain is updated automatically. Check that the www and non-www versions are correct. When the domain is correctly linked, it will be marked 'Validated' in green.
See error messages - After following the steps in this guide, it is normal for your domain to display error messages for 72 hours. If the error messages continue to appear after 72 hours, see the next section for troubleshooting connection problems.
SSL certificates are automatically generated for your connected domains
Troubleshooting with the DNS record checker
If we detect that your records have not been correctly configured, the message DNS Error will be displayed on your page. To resolve the problem, use the guidance written in red to determine exactly which CNAME and A records you need to change with your domain provider.
For help with configuring the DNS settings at your provider, we advise you to contact the support team of the provider in question.
Updated on: 06/11/2023
Thank you!