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Domain connection - How do I connect my domain and which method should I use?
Domain connection - How do I connect my domain and which method should I use?

In this article, we explain which methods are available in Onepage to connect a domain and help you decide which method is best for you.

Alina avatar
Written by Alina
Updated over a week ago

When you publish your site, you probably want to use your own domain instead of using the default Onepage domain. This is easy to do but requires you to own your own domain. In this article, we will show you how to connect your custom domain to your Onepage site.


Purchase your own domain 🛒

Before you can connect your domain to your Onepage site, you will need your own domain. If you don't already have one, you can purchase one from a domain provider of your choice. There are many providers out there, so just choose one that suits your needs and budget.

Here are a few suggestions from us 🧾



Connecting your domain with Onepage: Nameserver vs. CNAME 💻

Two main methods are available to you when connecting your domain with your Onepage site: the name server method and the CNAME method. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will look at in more detail in this article.


The Name Servers Method 💾

The nameserver method is the easiest way to connect your main domain to your Onepage. It only requires you to change the nameserver settings of your domain to point it to the Onepage nameservers. This makes the configuration convenient and straightforward.

However, it is important to note that when changing the nameservers, the complete DNS administration is transferred to Onepage. This means that all DNS records, including emails associated with your domain, may temporarily not work until the DNS records are added again in Onepage.


The CNAME Method 💿

The CNAME method offers an alternative way to connect your domain to your Onepage site. In contrast to the name server method, your main domain and all DNS records will remain at the domain provider. This means that all emails associated with your domain should continue functioning normally.

However, there is an important disadvantage to consider: most domain providers only allow you to connect a subdomain to Onepage. This means that you might have to redirect your main domain to the connected subdomain. Also, the CNAME method requires a bit more configuration, as you need to add a CNAME record and possibly set up a redirect.

Overall, both methods offer their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on your specific requirements and preferences.



When should I choose which method? 🤔


The choice between the nameserver method and the CNAME method depends on various factors. In general, the nameserver method is the more elegant solution, especially if you want to connect the main domain. Nevertheless, there are cases in which you should carefully consider which method is the right one.

The Nameserver method: When is this the best choice? 💾

The nameserver method is the preferred option if you want to connect your main domain (yourdomain.com) to your Onepage site. However, you should exercise caution if your domain is also used to send emails. In such cases, you should make sure that you have access to all the necessary DNS records that are required for the mail connection. This includes in particular the MX record, which specifies the mail server, and possibly other records such as TXT, SPF or CNAME. If you are unsure or have difficulty identifying these records, it may be better to choose the CNAME method.


The CNAME Method: When is this the best choice?💿

The CNAME method is a good choice if you only want to connect a subdomain (www.deinedomain.de) to your Onepage site or if you are unsure which DNS entries are relevant for your domain. In this case, you keep the main domain and all relevant DNS records with the domain provider, while you only link a subdomain to your onepage. This simplifies the configuration and minimizes the risk of errors when connecting email services.

Using "www" for the subdomain does not make it obvious in the browser that this is a subdomain, and it will look like a main domain for your visitors.


💡Do you have any feedback concerning this article? Please let us know through our live chat or at support@onepage.io so we can keep it up to date. Thank you! 🙂

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