Learn how to connect a custom domain to any AI website builder. Step-by-step instructions for Wix, Framer, Squarespace, Hostinger, and more.
Select a domain name that is short, memorable, and relevant to your brand or business. The .com extension remains the most recognized and trusted, but .co, .io, .dev, and industry-specific extensions like .store or .design are increasingly popular. Register your domain through a registrar like Namecheap, Google Domains, Cloudflare, or directly through your AI website builder if they offer domain registration. Compare prices, as registration costs vary between registrars, and consider the renewal price which is often higher than the initial promotional price.
DNS, or Domain Name System, is the internet's phone book that connects domain names to website hosting servers. When you connect a custom domain, you are telling DNS that your domain name should point to your AI builder's servers where your website lives. This is done through DNS records, specifically A records or CNAME records. Your AI builder will provide specific DNS record values that you need to add to your domain's DNS settings. The process is straightforward but can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, though most updates complete within a few hours.
In Wix, go to Settings then Domains and click Connect a Domain. Enter your domain name and follow the prompts. Wix will display the DNS records you need to add at your domain registrar: typically two A records pointing to Wix's IP addresses. Log into your domain registrar's DNS management panel, add the records exactly as shown, and wait for propagation. Wix also offers domain registration directly, which simplifies the process significantly. If you purchase your domain through Wix, it connects automatically.
In Framer, go to Site Settings then Publishing. Click Custom Domain and enter your domain. Framer will display a CNAME record to add for the www subdomain and an A record for the root domain. Add these records at your domain registrar. Framer also automatically provisions an SSL certificate once the domain is connected, ensuring secure HTTPS access. The process typically completes within a few hours of adding the DNS records.
In Squarespace, go to Settings then Domains then Use a Domain I Own. Enter your domain and Squarespace will provide specific DNS records to add. Typically this involves changing your nameservers to Squarespace's nameservers, which is simpler than adding individual records. If you prefer to keep your current nameservers, Squarespace also supports adding individual DNS records. SSL is automatically configured once the domain connection is verified.
If you purchased hosting from Hostinger, your domain connection is handled through Hostinger's hPanel. Go to Domains and either register a new domain or connect an existing one. For existing domains, Hostinger provides nameserver records to update at your registrar. Once nameservers are pointed to Hostinger, the domain connects automatically. Hostinger also offers a free domain for the first year on annual hosting plans.
After adding DNS records, use online tools like DNS Checker to verify that your records have propagated. Try accessing your site using both the root domain (example.com) and the www version (www.example.com). Set up redirects so that one version redirects to the other, preventing duplicate content issues. If the domain is not connecting, double-check that DNS records are entered correctly without trailing spaces or typos. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, so be patient. If issues persist after 48 hours, contact your AI builder's support team for assistance.
A professional email address using your custom domain (like hello@yourdomain.com) enhances credibility. Most domain registrars offer email hosting, or you can use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Zoho Mail. Set up MX records at your domain registrar to point to your email provider. Some AI builders like Wix include email hosting in their plans. Configure email forwarding if you only need to receive emails at your custom domain without a full email hosting setup.
DNS propagation typically takes 1 to 24 hours, though it can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. Most DNS updates complete within 2 to 4 hours. During propagation, some visitors may see your old site while others see your new one. This is normal and resolves automatically.
Some AI builders include a free domain for the first year on annual plans. After that, domain renewal typically costs $10 to $20 per year for a .com domain. If your builder does not include a domain, you can purchase one from any domain registrar for a similar price.
Yes, you can connect any domain you own to any AI website builder. The process involves adding DNS records at your domain registrar that point to your builder's servers. You retain ownership of your domain and can move it to a different builder at any time.
An A record points a domain to an IP address. A CNAME record points a domain to another domain name. For website hosting, both can be used depending on the builder's requirements. Follow your specific builder's instructions for which records to use.
Either works, but you should pick one and redirect the other to it. Most AI builders handle this automatically when you connect your domain. Consistency matters for SEO, as search engines treat www and non-www versions as different URLs if not redirected.