When your Porkbun 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
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From the lower-left of your Format sidebar, navigate to Settings
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Click Domain and Email
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Scroll down to the Format Address area
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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) -
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
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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 first. If you need help with this, you can reach out to our Success Team
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Follow the instructions to update your domain registrar/provider's DNS settings to connect to your Format site (you will sign in to your Porkbun account to complete the connection, see below)
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Click Save Changes
Failed Connection
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Failed Connections happen when the correct connection settings have not been sent, or propagated (updated) from your domain registrar
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BEFORE you click the 'File a help request' link ensure you have completed the remaining steps in this guide below:
Sign in to Porkbun
Once you sign in to your Porkbun account, you'll be brought to an overview page of all the domains on your Porkbun account.
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Click the Details button in-line with the custom domain name you want to connect to your Format site
Access your DNS panel
Clicking the Details button in the previous step will open up a panel with many options:
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Click the edit icon next to DNS Records to open up the DNS panel
External Nameservers Configured
If you have your domain's Nameservers set to an external service, like ns1.wix.com
, or nsXXX.domaincontrol.com
, please check with one of our Success Team before making any changes, as you may lose access to any pre-configured services like emails that are managed outside of the Porkbun control panel if the Nameservers are reset.
Add a CNAME Record
You'll need to add two custom DNS records, the first of which is a CNAME record.
- Select the CNAME - Canonical name record option
- Input www in the Host field
- Input your Format address into the Answer field. Do not use our example of
jane-dovercourt.format.com
- Set the TTL to 3600 (1 hour)
- Add the record
If there was an existing CNAME record on the www subdomain, you will not be able to add a second one, and will get an error message. Instead, edit the existing record, replacing the fields following the steps above.
Add an A record
You'll need to add one more custom DNS record, this time an A record.
- Select the A - Address record option
- Leave the Host field blank
- Input 174.129.25.170 in the Answer field
- Set the TTL to 3600 (1 hour)
- Add the record
If you already have an existing A record with a blank Host field in your DNS records list, you can instead edit the existing A record and update its values so that it matches the screenshot above.
It's possible that you may run into an error message like the one below when attempting to Add your A record:
If you see this error message, you will need to scroll down to your domain's list of existing DNS records, and delete any CNAME or ALIAS record with a blank Host field (this will appear as yourdomain.com
without any subdomain before it). Ensure that you do not delete the www CNAME record you created in the previous step.
- Delete the conflicting ALIAS record
- Deleting the * CNAME record (if present), is also recommended
Once you've deleted any conflicting records, you can now reattempt adding the A record. And once you've successfully done that, you can log out of Porkbun, as there are no further steps that need to be taken within your domain's DNS area.
Check domain connection
Changes made in your Porkbun 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
-
Status updated to show as Connected
Your custom domain should connect within 48 hours once all Format settings and the Porkbun DNS 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
Porkbun may require 2-factor authentication when accessing your account. If so, 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!