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Connect your IONOS (1&1) custom domain name

Updated

When your IONOS custom domain name is set up correctly, yourdomain.com will load your Format site with https://www.yourdomain.com shown 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

  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

Sign in to IONOS

IONOS1.png

  1. Access your Domains & SSL tab and navigate to your custom domain (if you only have one domain, you may be brought here automatically)

  2. Click on the DNS tab

Set DNS Records

Navigate to your domain name's DNS records area (sometimes referred to as Zone File) in your domain registrar.

You will need to add or edit three (3) unique custom DNS records—an A record, AAAA record, and CNAME record.

Your domain name likely already has an A Record with the Name/Host @. Change the root A Record @ DNS Entry to the IPv4 address 199.181.197.21

Add a new AAAA Record with the Name/Host @ and the IPv6 address of 2620:78:200f::cf:f21

Add (or change) a CNAME Record with the Name/Host www, add mysite.format.com (replace mysite with your unique Format Address, an example would be jane-dovercourt.format.com)

Save Changes.

You can now log out of your domain registrar.

Check domain connection

Changes made in your IONOS account are not usually instant. They may take up to 24 to 48 hours to fully propagate and connect.

It is best to check your connection after 1 - 2 days.

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

  1. Status updated to show as Connected

Your custom domain should connect within 48 hours once all Format settings and the IONOS DNS records have been set correctly.

Still have questions? Reach us on our live chat or email us at info@format.com. We’re here to help!

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