Help topic · 28 articles
Domains and going live
Put your website on your own address, fix a domain that isn't connecting and move over from another builder.
Do I need my own domain?Your website works at its free Zome address. A domain you own, like harborplumbing.com, is a better address to put on trucks and cards.Which DNS records do I add for my domain?Zome shows the records to add at your registrar: an A record for the main address, a CNAME for www and sometimes a TXT proof.Where do I add DNS records at my registrar?The menu path to the DNS page at GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Squarespace, Wix and other registrars, with the tip for each.Why does my domain say Waiting for DNS?The badge turns to Live once your records are right and have spread. Usually that takes under an hour. Here is what to check if it doesn't.My domain is connected to another Zome accountIf a domain is on another Zome account, Zome asks you to prove it's yours with a TXT record, then moves it to you.How do I remove or change my domain?Remove a domain from the Domain tab and your site goes back to its free address. The domain stays yours at your registrar.How do I move my website from another builder?Bring in your old site, check it, connect your domain, then keep your old page addresses working so Google follows you.What should I check before I publish?Add your phone and towns, check your hours, preview on a phone. The Zome team checks the first publish before it goes live.Connect a GoDaddy domain to ZomeAdd two DNS records at GoDaddy so your domain opens your Zome website. You keep the domain at GoDaddy.Connect a Namecheap domain to ZomeAdd two records in Namecheap's Advanced DNS tab so your domain opens your Zome website.Connect a Squarespace Domains domain to ZomeAdd two custom DNS records at Squarespace Domains so your domain opens your Zome website instead.Connect a Cloudflare domain to ZomeAdd two DNS records in Cloudflare, set to DNS only (the grey cloud), so Zome can issue the secure certificate.Connect a Network Solutions domain to ZomeAdd two records on Network Solutions' Advanced DNS page so your domain opens your Zome website.Connect a Bluehost domain to ZomeAdd two records on Bluehost's DNS page so your domain opens your Zome website instead of your old hosting.Connect an IONOS domain to ZomeAdd two records in the IONOS DNS settings so your domain opens your Zome website.Connect a Hover domain to ZomeAdd two records on Hover's DNS page so your domain opens your Zome website. Hover keeps the domain.Connect a Wix domain to ZomeAdd two records in Wix's DNS settings so your domain opens your Zome website. Wix may ask you to remove its own A record first.My domain was at Google Domains: where is it now?Google Domains domains are now managed at Squarespace Domains. You don't transfer anything to Zome: sign in there and add the records.How do I find out who holds my domain?Your registrar is the company you pay for the domain. Find it from a renewal receipt or a public lookup, so you know where to add the records.DNS in plain words: A, CNAME, TXT and MXWhat DNS is, what each record type does, and which ones you touch when you connect your domain to Zome.How long does DNS take to update?Records usually show within an hour, but there is no promise. Here is why, how to check, and when to ask for help.www or no www: which address do visitors see?Zome connects both. Your bare domain is the main address and www sends visitors to it.Keep your email working when you move your websiteConnecting your domain to Zome changes A and CNAME records only. Leave your MX and email TXT records exactly as they are.What happens to my old website when I connect?Your old website keeps answering until your records change. After that your domain opens Zome. Keep the old hosting until the status says Live.What each status on the Domain tab meansLive, Checking certificate, Waiting for DNS, DNS ready, Zome is connecting your domain and Needs attention: what each says and what to do.Why does the Domain tab ask me to start a plan?Connecting your own domain comes with a plan or a trial. Until then your website works at its free Zome address.Point your domain or transfer it: which do I need?You only point your domain at Zome by changing two records. You never transfer it to Zome, and you can undo the change.What does "your first publish is checked" mean?The Zome team approves each new website before it goes live, so nobody can publish as someone else. Your site stays private and editable until then.
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