Connect and use a custom domain

Check availability in your account#

Core includes one supported custom domain you own, and Business includes 10. It can be the root domain – such as yourbrand.com/menu – or a subdomain such as go.yourbrand.com/menu. Open Custom domains first. If setup is unavailable, do not change DNS until Whooshly shows the exact record and target. Existing Core credit-backed domains keep their original terms.

Point and verify the hostname#

Whooshly reads the public nameservers to identify your authoritative DNS host, then shows the record type, host, and target for that provider. Whooshly checks the public record and SSL automatically while the page is open; use Check now if you return later.

yourbrand.com or go.yourbrand.com  →  <target shown in Whooshly>

Cloudflare DNS#

Subdomains use a DNS-only CNAME. Root domains can use a CNAME at @ because Cloudflare flattens apex CNAME records. Keep the record DNS only while Whooshly validates and issues SSL. Cloudflare explains CNAME flattening in its DNS documentation.

1. Open DNS → RecordsAdd the exact CNAME shown by Whooshly.
2. Use DNS onlyLeave the cloud gray while the hostname is being validated.
3. Return to WhooshlyThe page watches DNS and certificate state; use Check now after propagation.

GoDaddy domains#

A subdomain such as go.yourbrand.com can connect with a CNAME in GoDaddy DNS. Whooshly does not connect a bare domain through GoDaddy DNS directly, so it provides a guided nameserver move instead. The registration stays at GoDaddy; only DNS hosting moves. GoDaddy documents how that nameserver change works.

1. For a subdomainAdd the CNAME Host and Points to values shown by Whooshly in GoDaddy DNS.
2. For the bare domainInventory and recreate every website, mail, verification, and security record at the new DNS host before changing nameservers.
3. Protect email and DNSSECPreserve MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and TXT records. Resolve DNSSEC before the nameserver cutover.

Namecheap DNS#

Subdomains use CNAME. Root domains use an ALIAS record at @ when the domain uses Namecheap BasicDNS, FreeDNS, or PremiumDNS. Domains on Namecheap hosting nameservers need a compatible DNS host before root setup. Namecheap documents which DNS plans support ALIAS records.

1. Open Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNSFind Host Records for the domain.
2. Choose the recordUse CNAME for a subdomain or ALIAS with Host @ for the bare domain.
3. Use the exact targetPaste the value Whooshly shows, save it, then return to Check now.

Create links on the domain#

After the domain is active, open Links and choose it from Short-link domain before creating the route. Configure a fallback URL for requests that do not match a saved ending.