Connecting a custom domain to Webflow takes less than 15 minutes of actual work, but DNS propagation can require up to 48 hours for global visibility. This final step transforms your webflow.io staging site into a professional, branded web presence that builds trust, improves SEO, and creates memorable user experiences.
Going live with your Webflow site involves more than just pointing DNS records. Successful launches require pre-launch testing, proper DNS configuration, SSL setup, verification procedures, and post-launch monitoring to ensure flawless performance.
This comprehensive guide covers every step of the go-live process, from prerequisites and DNS record configuration to registrar-specific instructions, troubleshooting common issues, and complete pre-launch checklists. Whether you're launching your first Webflow site or your hundredth, this systematic approach prevents launch day surprises.
By following this proven methodology, you'll confidently navigate domain connection, avoid common pitfalls, and launch your site with professional polish that reflects the quality of your work.
It enables custom domain connection. Free plans restrict publishing to webflow.io subdomains only. Basic plans ($14/month) support custom domains, while CMS, Business, and Enterprise plans offer additional features for content-rich or high-traffic sites.
Requires purchasing a domain from registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains (now Squarespace), or similar providers. Ensure you have registrar account access to modify DNS settings.
You should finish before initiating domain connection. Content, functionality, and design should be final or near-final to avoid publishing incomplete work to your custom domain.
It protects against launch issues. Create a backup restore point in Webflow before making final changes. Document current settings for quick rollback if needed.
It processes across all breakpoints, ensuring a consistent experience. Test desktop, tablet, and mobile views thoroughly, checking that all content displays properly and interactions work across device sizes.
It validates functionality in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Different browsers render CSS and JavaScript differently, so comprehensive testing prevents browser-specific issues.
It confirms all forms deliver emails correctly, display appropriate success messages, and handle validation errors gracefully. Test with real email addresses to verify delivery.
It prevents broken internal and external links. Verify navigation menus, footer links, CTA buttons, and content links all point to correct destinations.
Image compression, script minification, and asset optimization, ensures fast loading speeds. Run Google PageSpeed Insights tests and address any major performance issues before launch.
It translates human-readable domain names like yoursite.com into IP addresses that computers use to locate servers. When someone visits your domain, DNS records tell their browser where to find your website.
Your website to specific IP addresses. Webflow requires two A Records pointing to their server IP addresses: 75.2.70.75 and 99.83.190.102.
Your website (www.yoursite.com) to other domain names. Webflow requires a CNAME record pointing www to proxy-ssl.webflow.com, which handles SSL certificates and routing.
This distinction affects configuration. The root domain (yoursite.com) uses A records, while the www subdomain uses CNAME. Most businesses set www as the default, redirecting the root to www automatically.
It describes the time required for DNS changes to spread globally across internet service providers and DNS servers. Propagation typically completes within 4-24 hours but can take up to 48 hours.
Navigating to Site Settings begins in Webflow Designer:
1. Open your project in Webflow Designer
2. Click the Settings icon in the left sidebar
3. Navigate to the "Publishing" tab
4. Click on "Production" section
5. Locate "Add custom domain" button.
Distinguish between staging (webflow.io) and production (custom domain) environments. Production settings control your live, public-facing website.
The custom domain button initiates the domain connection process. This button appears only on projects with paid site plans. Free plans cannot add custom domains.
Accept both root domains (yoursite.com) and www subdomains (www.yoursite.com). Webflow recommends entering just the root domain, which automatically adds both versions.
The Quick Connect option (Entri integration) automates DNS configuration for supported registrars. Webflow partners with Entri to modify DNS records automatically after you authorize the connection.
Benefits of Quick Connect include:
Supported registrars for Quick Connect include major providers like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains (Squarespace), Domain.com, and others. Webflow displays supported registrars during the Quick Connect flow.
When to choose manual setup:
Finding DNS management section varies by registrar but typically lives in account settings under "DNS," "DNS Management," "Nameservers," or "Domain Settings".
Common registrar interfaces include:
Preparing for DNS changes includes:
Backing up existing records
It protects against accidental deletion of critical records like email configuration. Export or screenshot all existing records before making changes.
Creating first A Record (75.2.70.75):
Creating a second A Record (99.83.190.102):
Host/Name field configuration varies by registrar:
TL settings and recommendations control how long DNS servers cache your records. Lower TTL (600-3600 seconds) enables faster updates, while higher TTL reduces DNS query load. Use 3600 (1 hour) for launches, then increase to 86400 (24 hours) after stable operation.
Creating CNAME for www subdomain:
Pointing to proxy-ssl.webflow.com enables Webflow's SSL certificate management and secure hosting infrastructure. This exact value is required—variations like "proxy.webflow.com" or "webflow.com" will not work.
Host/Name field configuration for CNAME records uses "www" specifically, not "@" or blank. This creates the www subdomain (www.yoursite.com).
Common CNAME errors to avoid:
Identifying conflicting A and CNAME records that point to previous hosting services prevents DNS conflicts. Look for A records pointing to old IP addresses or CNAME records pointing to previous hosts.
Safely deleting old hosting records requires:
Preserving email DNS records prevents email disruption. MX Records, TXT Records for email authentication (SPF, DKIM), and email-related CNAME Records should remain unchanged unless you're also migrating email services.
Testing before deletion By creating new records first, then removing old ones after verification, continuous service is ensured. If uncertain about a record's purpose, research or contact your registrar before deletion.
Returning to Webflow settings after configuring DNS records:
1. Navigate back to Webflow Site Settings
2. Go to Publishing > Production
3. Find your added custom domain
4. Locate "Check Status" button next to the domain.
Check Status button functionality triggers Webflow to query DNS servers and verify proper record configuration. Webflow checks that both A Records and CNAME Record point correctly to Webflow infrastructure.
Understanding verification status messages:
Verification timeline expectations vary based on DNS propagation speed. Most domains verify within 4-8 hours, though 24-48 hours represents the maximum typical timeframe. TTL settings affect verification speed.
"www vs root domain" preference affects which domain displays in browser address bars. Most businesses prefer www.yoursite.com as default, with yoursite.com redirecting automatically.
Making a domain default:
SEO implications of default domain require consistency. Choose one version (www or root) as default and maintain that choice to avoid duplicate content issues and consolidate SEO authority.
Redirect behavior automatically sends traffic from the non-default domain to the default domain using 301 redirects, preserving SEO value and ensuring consistent brand presentation.
Let's Encrypt certificate provisioning happens automatically after domain verification. Webflow requests and installs free SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt, a trusted certificate authority.
SSL certificate generation timeline typically completes within minutes of domain verification but can take up to an hour. Webflow displays SSL status in domain settings.
Certificate renewal automation occurs automatically before expiration. Let's Encrypt certificates expire after 90 days, but Webflow renews them automatically 30 days before expiration, ensuring continuous SSL coverage.
Multi-domain certificate coverage includes both the root domain and the www subdomain in a single certificate. Webflow's SSL certificate covers all connected custom domains and subdomains.
Accessing SSL settings in Webflow:
Force HTTPS toggle redirects all HTTP traffic to HTTPS automatically, ensuring all visitors access your site securely. This setting should be enabled for all production sites.
HTTP to HTTPS redirection uses 301 permanent redirects that preserve SEO value while upgrading connection security. Search engines recognize and reward HTTPS usage with minor ranking boosts.
Testing secure connections involves:
The publish button location sits prominently in the top-right corner of Webflow Designer. This bright blue button initiates the publishing workflow.
Selecting domains for publishing:
Staging vs production domains serve different purposes. Staging domains (yoursite.webflow.io) enable testing before public launch, while production domains (yoursite.com) serve live traffic.
Publish confirmation appears after successful publishing, displaying which domains received updates and confirming live status.
Testing custom domain access:
Checking all pages load correctly requires systematic testing:
Verifying SSL certificate ensures secure connections:
Testing across devices validates responsive design:
Navigating GoDaddy DNS Management:
Adding records in GoDaddy interface:
GoDaddy-specific quirks:
Verification typically takes 2-6 hours with GoDaddy's fast DNS servers, though the official timeframe remains 24-48 hours.
Accessing Advanced DNS settings:
Record configuration in Namecheap:
Namecheap defaults to change:
Common Namecheap issues:
Cloudflare DNS management interface:
Proxy vs DNS-only settings:
SSL/TLS mode configuration:
Cloudflare optimization settings:
Google Domains specific format:
Transfer to Squarespace note: Google Domains was sold to Squarespace in 2023. Existing Google Domains users can still manage DNS, but new registrations go through Squarespace with a similar interface.
Alternative registrars if leaving Google Domains:
DNS propagation describes how DNS record changes spread across the global network of DNS servers maintained by ISPs and DNS providers.
Typical propagation timeframes:
Factors affecting propagation speed:
Global vs local propagation means some geographic regions see changes before others. Your local network might show updates while users in other countries still see old records.
Meta titles and descriptions:
Open Graph and Twitter cards:
Sitemap generation:
Google Analytics integration:
Google Search Console setup:
Page speed testing using:
Image compression:
Script optimization:
Mobile performance:
Switching DNS and going live with your Webflow site requires systematic execution across domain connection, DNS configuration, SSL setup, and comprehensive testing. The process combines technical precision with thorough quality assurance to ensure professional launches.
Proper preparation through pre-launch testing, checklist completion, and backup procedures prevents common launch issues. Investing time in verification before going live saves significant troubleshooting effort afterward.
DNS propagation patience remains essential as global DNS updates require time despite proper configuration. Testing from multiple locations and networks validates successful propagation before announcing your launch.
Ready to launch your Webflow site with confidence and professional execution that ensures flawless performance from day one? theCSS Agency specializes in comprehensive Webflow launches, including DNS configuration, pre-launch testing, go-live management, and post-launch support. Our proven methodology guarantees smooth launches without technical surprises.
Schedule your launch consultation today and discover how professional launch management eliminates stress, prevents downtime, and delivers the polished launch your website deserves.
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