Connect your Namecheap.com custom domain name

When your Namecheap 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.

Format Domain settings

1. Navigate to Settings
2. Navigate to the Domain and Email panel
3. Scroll down to the Format Address area
4. Replace the auto-generated Format Address with your own unique Format Address. It is best to match this as closely as possible to your actual custom domain name; in this example jane-dovercourt without the .com or other .tld (top-level-domain extension)
5. Website Domain: your website can always be accessed through your Format address (in this example https://jane-dovercourt.format.com ), even if your custom domain is not connected
6. Click Connect Your Domain to access and enter your existing custom domain name (see screenshot below)

Add your existing Custom Domain Name

1. Add your own domain: Add the domain name you want to use in this field. If you have previously used this domain name with another Format site, you may see an error message. If you need help with this, you can reach out to our Success Team.
2. Follow the instructions to update your domain registrar/provider's DNS settings to connect to your Format site. You will need to log in to your domain registrar for this.
3. Click Save Changes

Failed Connection

1. Failed Connections happen when the correct connection settings have not been set, or propagated (updated) from your domain registrar
2. BEFORE you click the File a help request link, ensure you have completed the remaining steps in this guide

Sign in to Namecheap.com

Sign in to your Namecheap.com account.

Manage Domains

1. From the 'Dashboard' select 'Domain List'

2. Select the domain name you want to edit

3. Click the 'MANAGE' button

Redirect Domain

1. Check that 'NAMESERVERS' are set to 'Namecheap BasicDNS' or 'Namecheap Default' If unsure, don't change.

2. Check if 'REDIRECT DOMAIN' has already been set with Source URL and Destination URL as shown in the screenshot above (but with your actual registered domain name, not our example).

3. If set, go to Step 5

4. If no 'REDIRECT DOMAIN' set, tap 'ADD REDIRECT' and add Source URL janedovercourt.com and Destination URL http://www.janedovercourt.com (but with your actual registered domain name, not our example)

5. Save changes (Click the 'tick' icon next to trash bin)

6. Click 'Advanced DNS' tab

Advanced DNS Settings

1. CNAME Record for host 'www' may show with the Value parkingpage.namecheap.com.

2. If it does change to be your Format Address as set earlier eg. jane-dovercourt.format.com. (example only)

3. Under the URL Redirect Record you set earlier, tap the 'Unmasked' dropdown menu

4. Scroll to the bottom and select 'Permanent (301)'

5. Click the 'tick' icons for each row edited to save changes

You can now log out of Namecheap.

Check domain connection

Changes made in your Namecheap 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).

Please note: Format does not provide an SSL on your root domain (your domain name minus the www.). As such, your site will not load at https://yourdomain.com. Your site will still be accessible from the following URLs:

yourdomain.com
www.yourdomain.com
http://yourdomain.com
http://www.yourdomain.com
https://www.yourdomain.com

As well, your site will always be accessible via its Format address.

Custom Domain Connection Confirmed

1. 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.

Reach us at our live chat or via our email info@format.com if you have any more questions. We’re happy to help!