Setting Up Your Custom Domain

While your free yourname.waldium.app subdomain works great, connecting your own custom domain makes your blog more professional and memorable. This guide will walk you through the entire process.

Why Use a Custom Domain?

Professional Appearance: blog.yourcompany.com looks more credible than yourcompany.waldium.app.

Brand Control: Own your domain and brand identity completely.

Better SEO: Custom domains can improve search engine rankings.

Flexibility: Keep your domain even if you move platforms later.

Trust: Readers trust custom domains more than subdomains.

Memorability: Easier for people to remember and share.

Choosing Your Domain

If you don't have a domain yet, here's how to choose one:

Domain Structure Options

Subdomain (Recommended)

• blog.yourcompany.com
• content.yourcompany.com
• learn.yourcompany.com

Apex Domain

• yourcompany.com
• Use this if your blog IS your main website

Separate Domain

• yourcompanyblog.com
• Useful for brand separation

Best Practices

Keep It Short: Shorter domains are easier to remember and type.

Make It Obvious: Use words like "blog," "learn," or "content" to make the purpose clear.

Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: These make domains harder to communicate verbally.

Check Availability: Ensure the domain isn't already taken.

Consider Extensions: .com is most common, but .blog, .io, or .co can work too.

Before You Begin

You'll need:

• A domain name (purchased from registrars like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains)
• Access to your domain's DNS settings
• About 10-15 minutes
• Basic understanding of DNS (we'll guide you through it)

Important: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to fully propagate, though they often work within a few hours.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Add Domain in Waldium

1. Log into your Waldium dashboard
2. Navigate to Settings → Domains
3. Click "Add Custom Domain"
4. Enter your domain name (e.g., blog.yourcompany.com)
5. Click "Add Domain"

Waldium will generate the DNS records you need to configure.

Step 2: Access Your DNS Settings

Go to your domain registrar's website (where you bought the domain):

Common Registrars:

• Namecheap: Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS
• GoDaddy: My Products → Domains → DNS → Manage DNS
• Google Domains: My Domains → [Your Domain] → DNS
• Cloudflare: [Your Domain] → DNS

Step 3: Add DNS Records

Waldium will show you exactly which DNS records to add. There are two types:

For Subdomains (blog.yourcompany.com):

Add a CNAME record:

• Type: CNAME
• Name: blog (or whatever subdomain you're using)
• Value: [Provided by Waldium, typically ends in waldium.app]
• TTL: Automatic or 3600

For Apex Domains (yourcompany.com):

Add A records (Waldium will provide specific IP addresses):

• Type: A
• Name: @ (or leave blank)
• Value: [IP address provided by Waldium]
• TTL: Automatic or 3600

You may need to add multiple A records if provided.

Step 4: Verify Configuration

Back in Waldium:

1. Click "Verify Domain"
2. Waldium checks if DNS records are configured correctly
3. If successful, you'll see a confirmation message

If verification fails:

• Double-check DNS records match exactly what Waldium provided
• Wait a few hours for DNS propagation
• Try verification again

Step 5: SSL Certificate

Once your domain is verified, Waldium automatically:

• Provisions an SSL certificate
• Enables HTTPS
• Sets up automatic renewal

This typically takes 5-10 minutes after verification.

Step 6: Go Live

Once SSL is active:

1. Your blog is accessible at your custom domain
2. HTTPS is automatically enforced
3. Your old waldium.app subdomain still works (but redirects to your custom domain)

Congratulations! Your blog is live on your custom domain! 🎉

DNS Configuration Examples

Example 1: Subdomain with Namecheap

Type: CNAME Record
Host: blog
Value: yoursite.waldium.app
TTL: Automatic

Example 2: Apex Domain with Google Domains

Type: A
Data: 76.76.21.21
TTL: 1 hour

Type: A
Data: 76.76.21.22
TTL: 1 hour

(Note: Use actual IP addresses provided by Waldium, not these examples)

Troubleshooting

DNS Changes Not Taking Effect

Wait Longer: DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, though usually much faster.

Check DNS Propagation: Use tools like whatsmydns.net to check if changes have propagated globally.

Clear DNS Cache:

• Windows: Run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt
• Mac: Run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in Terminal
• Browser: Clear browser cache and try incognito mode

SSL Certificate Issues

Give It Time: Certificate provisioning can take 10-15 minutes after DNS verification.

Check DNS: Ensure DNS records are correct and verified.

Contact Support: If SSL doesn't provision within an hour, reach out to support@waldium.com.

Domain Shows "Not Secure" Warning

Wait for SSL: Certificate provisioning takes a few minutes.

Check Redirect: Ensure you're accessing https:// not http://.

Clear Cache: Browser cache might be showing old version.

Domain Points to Wrong Site

Check DNS Records: Ensure CNAME or A records point to correct values.

Wait for Propagation: Old DNS settings might still be cached.

Verify in Waldium: Confirm domain is added and verified in your Waldium dashboard.

Advanced Configuration

WWW vs Non-WWW

Many people want both yoursite.com and www.yoursite.com to work.

Recommended Approach:

1. Choose your primary domain (usually non-WWW)
2. Add it to Waldium as described above
3. Create a redirect from the alternate version

In your DNS settings:

• Add a CNAME from www pointing to your apex domain
• Or vice versa depending on preference

Waldium automatically handles the redirect.

Multiple Domains

Want multiple domains pointing to your blog?

1. Add each domain in Waldium dashboard
2. Configure DNS for each
3. Choose one as "primary"
4. Others automatically redirect to primary

This is useful for:

• Country-specific domains (yoursite.com, yoursite.co.uk)
• Brand variations
• Legacy domains you want to maintain

Email Configuration

Adding DNS records for your blog won't affect your email if:

• You're using a subdomain (blog.yoursite.com)
• You only add the specific records Waldium requests

For apex domains, ensure your existing MX records (email) remain unchanged.

CDN and Performance

Waldium automatically serves your blog through a global CDN:

• Fast load times worldwide
• Automatic caching
• DDoS protection
• No additional configuration needed

You don't need to set up Cloudflare or other CDN services—it's included!

Domain Best Practices

Use HTTPS Always: Never use HTTP for your blog. Waldium enforces HTTPS automatically.

Keep Domain Registration Current: Set up auto-renewal so your domain doesn't expire.

Protect Your Domain: Use domain locking and two-factor authentication at your registrar.

Monitor Expiration: Set reminders well before your domain expires.

Use Privacy Protection: Most registrars offer WHOIS privacy to protect personal information.

Changing Domains Later

Need to change your domain?

1. Add new domain in Waldium
2. Configure DNS for new domain
3. Waldium automatically updates your blog
4. Set up redirect from old domain (recommended)

Important: Changing domains can impact SEO. If possible, maintain redirects from old domain for at least 6-12 months.

Custom Domain FAQs

Do I need a custom domain? No, your free waldium.app subdomain works great. Custom domains are optional but recommended for professional blogs.

Can I use a domain I already own? Yes! You just need to add DNS records. Your domain can stay with your current registrar.

Will this affect my website? If you use a subdomain (blog.yoursite.com), your main website is unaffected.

How much does a domain cost? Domains typically cost $10-20/year from registrars. Waldium doesn't charge for custom domain hosting.

Can I change my domain later? Yes, but it's best to choose carefully since domain changes can impact SEO.

Do I need technical knowledge? Basic DNS knowledge helps, but this guide walks you through everything step-by-step.

Where to Buy Domains

Popular domain registrars:

Namecheap: Affordable, good support, clean interface Google Domains: Simple, reliable, integrates with Google services Cloudflare: Low prices, includes DNS management Porkbun: Cheap renewals, straightforward interface GoDaddy: Large registrar, widely used (watch for upsells)

Avoid: Domain resellers or marketplaces that dramatically mark up prices.

After Setup

Once your custom domain is configured:

Update Links: Change links in your marketing materials, email signatures, and social media.

Update Analytics: If using Google Analytics, update your property settings.

Submit to Search Engines: Submit your new domain to Google Search Console.

Announce It: Let your audience know about your custom domain.

Test Everything: Click through your site to ensure all links work with the new domain.

What's Next?

Now that your blog has a professional custom domain, explore these topics:

• SEO Optimization: Make sure search engines can find your blog
• Analytics Integration: Connect Google Analytics to track traffic
• Email Collection: Start building an email list (coming soon)
• Social Sharing: Optimize how your posts appear when shared

Your blog now looks professional and trustworthy. Time to fill it with great content that showcases your expertise!

Need help with domain setup? Reach out to support@waldium.com—we're here to help! 🚀