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Go Live with headful

Set your project to Public, connect a custom domain via CNAME, and configure optional settings such as SEO, robots.txt, and cookie scripts.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

To make your headful project publicly accessible, three steps are required:

  1. Set the project to Public

  2. Add a custom domain in the dashboard

  3. Configure DNS settings at your domain host

Your website will only be reachable via your custom domain once the CNAME record is correctly configured.

Step-by-Step: Go Live

1. Set Project to Public

  • Open the dashboard

  • Go to Project Settings

  • Set the project to Public

Without this step, the project will not be publicly accessible.

2. Add a Custom Domain

  • Enter your domain in the Custom Domain field

  • Save the settings

Example dashboard domain:
​domainname.dashboard.headful.io

This dashboard domain remains active at all times and can be used if the custom domain needs to be reset or adjusted.

3. Configure the CNAME Record

At your domain hosting provider, create a CNAME record pointing to:

_dns.headful.io.

Important:

  • DNS interfaces differ depending on the domain host

  • Many providers do not allow a CNAME record on the root domain (@)

  • In this case, use a subdomain such as www

DNS propagation may take between 1 and 24 hours.

System Notes

  • The dashboard domain remains accessible at all times

  • The custom domain can be reset

  • DNS changes require propagation time

  • CNAME configuration depends on your domain host

Different Domain Hosts – Different CNAME Settings

Domain hosts use different interfaces and terminology. The logic remains the same, but field names may vary.

IONOS

  • Go to DNS settings

  • Add record → CNAME

  • Hostname: e.g. www

  • Target: _dns.headful.io.

  • TTL: default value

Note: A CNAME on the root domain (@) is typically not supported.

STRATO

  • Go to Domains → DNS Management

  • Add record → CNAME

  • Host: www

  • Target: _dns.headful.io.

STRATO usually does not allow a CNAME on the root domain.

GoDaddy

  • Open DNS Management

  • Add record → CNAME

  • Host: www

  • Points to: _dns.headful.io

Root domain forwarding is typically configured separately.

Cloudflare

  • DNS → Add record

  • Type: CNAME

  • Name: www

  • Target: _dns.headful.io

  • Proxy status: DNS only

If proxy mode is enabled, it may cause configuration issues.

Root Domain Limitation

If your provider does not allow a CNAME on the root domain:

Most domain providers offer built-in forwarding options.

Enable Google Indexing

By default, your site may be accessible but not indexed.

To allow search engines to index your site:

  1. Create a robots.txt file

  2. Upload it in the Media Library

Example content:

User-agent: *
Allow: /
Sitemap: https://deinedomain.de/sitemap.xml

Without a properly configured robots.txt, your site may not appear in search results.

Robots.txt herunterladen

Add a Cookie Script

If you already use a cookie provider:

  • Open Project Settings

  • Go to the Custom Code tab

  • Insert the script into ADD CUSTOM CODE TO THE HEAD

If you do not have a provider, you must configure one externally before adding the script.

Configure SEO Title

  • Open the SEO tab

  • Enter your custom page title

  • Save

The SEO title affects how your site appears in search engine results.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use www as the standard subdomain

  • Wait at least one hour before troubleshooting DNS issues

  • Verify DNS records using external DNS check tools

  • Document your DNS configuration

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