Setting up a custom domain for your Substack newsletter can help you establish a stronger online presence and make it easier for your readers to find you. With a custom domain, your newsletter URL will look more professional and memorable, and you’ll have more control over your branding. Fortunately, connecting a custom domain to your Substack newsletter is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps.
To get started, you’ll need to navigate to your publication’s Settings page and click on Domain in the left navigation bar. From there, you can select the “Add custom domain” button and enter your domain. Substack will provide you with the correct CNAME alias to add in your DNS provider, which will allow you to verify ownership of your domain. Once you’ve verified your domain, you can set up a 301 redirect to forward traffic from your domain to your Substack newsletter. With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to connecting your custom domain to your Substack newsletter and enhancing your online presence.
Understanding Substack and Custom Domains
Substack is a platform that enables writers to create and distribute newsletters. It offers a range of features to help writers monetize their content, including the ability to charge for subscriptions and to sell products directly to subscribers. Custom domains are an essential component of building a brand and establishing an online presence.
A custom domain is a unique web address that you can use to direct readers to your Substack newsletter. Instead of using the default substack.com URL, a custom domain allows you to create a more professional and memorable URL that reflects your brand and makes it easier for readers to find you.
Setting up a custom domain on Substack is a straightforward process, but it does require some technical knowledge. You will need to register a domain name with a domain registrar and then configure your DNS settings to point to your Substack publication. Once you have done this, you can add your custom domain to your Substack publication and start using it to promote your newsletter.
Overall, custom domains are an essential component of building a brand and establishing an online presence. They provide a professional and memorable web address that reflects your brand and makes it easier for readers to find you. By setting up a custom domain on Substack, you can take full advantage of the platform’s features and build a successful newsletter that resonates with your audience.
Preparing Your Custom Domain
Before you can connect your custom domain to your Substack newsletter, you need to make sure it’s properly set up. Here are the steps you need to take:
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Purchase a custom domain: You can purchase a custom domain from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. Make sure to choose a domain name that is easy to remember and relevant to your brand.
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Verify ownership of your domain: Once you’ve purchased your custom domain, you need to verify ownership of it. This involves adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings. The process for adding a TXT record varies depending on your domain registrar, so check their documentation for instructions.
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Configure a CNAME record: After you’ve verified ownership of your domain, you need to configure a CNAME record. This involves creating a DNS record that maps your custom domain to your Substack newsletter. Again, the process for configuring a CNAME record varies depending on your domain registrar, so check their documentation for instructions.
By completing these steps, you’ll be able to connect your custom domain to your Substack newsletter. Keep in mind that it may take some time for your DNS changes to propagate, so be patient. Once your changes have propagated, you’ll be able to use your custom domain to access your Substack newsletter.
Connecting Your Custom Domain to Substack
To connect your custom domain to your Substack newsletter, you need to follow a few simple steps. These steps include accessing your Substack settings, entering your custom domain details, and verifying your custom domain connection.
Accessing Substack Settings
To access your Substack settings, log in to your account and click on the publication you want to connect to your custom domain. From there, click on the “Settings” tab located on the left-hand side of the screen. Under the “Publication” section, you will see an option to “Add a custom domain.” Click on this option to proceed.
Entering Your Custom Domain Details
Once you have accessed the custom domain settings, you will be prompted to enter your custom domain details. This includes your domain name and the subdomain you want to use for your publication. You will also be required to set up a CNAME record with your domain registrar to link your custom domain to your Substack publication.
Verifying Your Custom Domain Connection
After entering your custom domain details, you will need to verify your custom domain connection with Substack. This involves adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings. Once you have added the TXT record, click on the “Verify” button in your Substack settings to complete the verification process.
Once you have completed these steps, your custom domain will be connected to your Substack newsletter. Keep in mind that it may take some time for your changes to propagate and for your custom domain to start working properly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Domain Not Connecting
If you’re having trouble connecting your custom domain to your Substack newsletter, there are a few things you can try:
- Double-check that you’ve followed all the steps correctly. Make sure you’ve added the CNAME record to your DNS provider and set up the custom domain in your Substack settings.
- Check that you’ve waited long enough for the changes to propagate. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to take effect.
- Try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes, old DNS records can be cached in your browser, causing connection issues.
If none of these steps work, you may need to reach out to your DNS provider or Substack support for further assistance.
SSL Certificate Errors
SSL certificate errors can occur when your custom domain is not properly secured with an SSL certificate. Here are a few things you can try to resolve this issue:
- Make sure that you’ve purchased an SSL certificate for your custom domain. You can purchase an SSL certificate through your DNS provider or a third-party provider.
- Check that you’ve correctly installed the SSL certificate on your custom domain. You can usually find instructions on how to do this in your DNS provider’s documentation.
- If you’re still having issues, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes, SSL certificate errors can be caused by cached data in your browser.
If you’re still having issues with SSL certificate errors, it’s best to reach out to your DNS provider or Substack support for further assistance.
Maintaining Your Custom Domain Connection
Once you have successfully linked your custom domain to your Substack newsletter, it is important to maintain the connection to ensure that your readers can access your content without any issues. Here are some tips for maintaining your custom domain connection:
Keep your domain registration up to date
Make sure that your domain registration is up to date and that you have renewed your domain before it expires. If your domain registration expires, your custom domain connection will also be lost, and your readers will not be able to access your newsletter.
Regularly check your DNS settings
Check your DNS settings regularly to ensure that your custom domain is still pointing to the correct IP address. If your DNS settings are incorrect, your readers may not be able to access your newsletter.
Monitor your website traffic
Monitor your website traffic to ensure that your custom domain connection is working correctly. If you notice a sudden drop in traffic, it could be an indication that your custom domain connection is not working correctly.
Contact support if you encounter any issues
If you encounter any issues with your custom domain connection, contact Substack support for assistance. They will be able to help you troubleshoot any issues and ensure that your custom domain connection is working correctly.
By following these tips, you can maintain your custom domain connection and ensure that your readers can access your newsletter without any issues.