When your Hover custom domain name is set up correctly yourdomain.com will display your Format site with https://www.yourdomain.com showing in the web browser address (URL) bar.
This guide uses jane-dovercourt.format.com, janedovercourt.com and yourdomain.com as EXAMPLES ONLY. You will replace these with your own unique Format Address and Custom Domain Name.
Format Domain settings
From the lower-left of your Format sidebar, navigate to 'Settings'
Click 'Domain and Email'
Scroll down to the Format Address area
Replace the auto-generated Format Address with your own unique Format Address (it is best to match as closely as possible to your actual custom domain name (in this example
jane-dovercourtwithout the .com or other .tld (top-level-domain extension)Website Domain: your website can always be accessed through your Format address (in this example
https://jane-dovercourt.format.com)Click 'Connect Your Domain' to access and enter your existing custom domain name (see screenshot below)
Add your existing Custom Domain Name
Add your unique existing custom domain name. If you have previously used the same domain name with another Format website it will not be possible to use this without it being disconnected from the other website, contact our support team
Follow instructions to update your domain registrar/provider DNS Zone settings to connect to your Format site (you will sign in to your Hover.com account to complete the connection, see below)
Click 'Save Changes'
Failed Connection
Failed Connections happen when the correct connection settings have not been sent, or propagated (updated) from your domain registrar
BEFORE you click the 'File a help request' link ensure you have completed the remaining steps in this guide below:
Sign in to Hover.com
'Sign in' or
Click 'Format' icon under the 'User your domain with your favorite service' area
If you have more than one custom domain name registered with Hover.com, select the one you want to connect to your Format site.
Overview
The 'Overview' panel shows general overview of your settings.
Click 'Connect' and select 'Format' or 'Get Started'
Check the nameservers are set to ns1.hover.com and ns2.hover.com (this is the default unless you have transferred your domain from another domain registrar).
Three-step Connect
Add your custom domain name to Format
Add your Format Address (do not include '.format.com'), a 'tick' will appear when entered correctly
Click 'Connect' or 'Cancel' to exit.
Do not include "http://" at the beginning of the address.
Confirmation Message from Hover
A confirmation message will be displayed.
Sometimes it can take as long as 24 hours for your website to be connected to your domain.
Check domain connection
Changes made in your Hover account are not usually instant. They may take up to 24 hours to fully propagate and connect.
It is best to check your connection after one day.
You will know that your domain connection is working when you enter yourdomain.com and your Format site loads with www.yourdomain.com in the address bar. (Be sure to check that www is visible in the address bar along with a 'secure padlock' icon).
Custom Domain Connection Confirmed
Status updated to show as 'Connected'
Your custom domain should connect within 24 hours once all settings here, and the Hover DNS Zone records have been set correctly.
Still not working?
You may feel you have done everything correctly, just as this guide says, but your domain is still not working.
Please send us a secure Domain Help Request so we can assist you.
2-factor authentication
If your domain provider requires 2-factor authentication when accessing your account, please reach out to us via live chat once you have submitted the Domain Help Request form.
Still have questions? Reach us on our live chat or email us at info@format.com We’re here to help!