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Setting Up a Root Custom Domain

Step by step instructions to set up a root domain with Exposure

Written by Luke Beard

Setting Up a Root Custom Domain

Point your root domain like www.yourdomain.com to your Exposure site.

Step One

Add a CNAME record for www and point it to domains.exposure.co.

You'll need to do this using the DNS control panel wherever you originally registered your domain name.

Type

Host

Points To

CNAME

www

domains.exposure.co

Step Two (Optional — for non-www access)

If you want visitors to reach your site at yourdomain.com (without www), you'll need to set up a root-level DNS record. How you do this depends on your DNS provider:

  • If your DNS provider supports CNAME flattening, ALIAS, or ANAME records (e.g. Cloudflare, DNSimple, Route 53): Add an ALIAS, ANAME, or flattened CNAME for @ pointing to domains.exposure.co. This allows full HTTPS support on the root domain.

  • If your DNS provider only supports standard A records: You will need to set up a redirect from the root domain to www.yourdomain.com through your DNS provider or registrar. Most registrars offer this as a forwarding option.

Type

Host

Points To

ALIAS / ANAME / CNAME

@

domains.exposure.co

Step Three

Test your domain using our setup wizard. You will need to be signed in. Once it's configured correctly you will be asked to complete your custom domain setup and your domain will be active.

Test Root Domain Setup

Important Notes

  • You must enter domains.exposure.co exactly. Any other value will not work with Exposure.

  • If you use CAA records, please add a CAA record that allows pki.goog so that your SSL certificate can be issued:

Type

Host

Value

CAA

yourdomain.com

0 issue "pki.goog"

  • If you use Cloudflare for your own DNS: Make sure the CNAME record is set to DNS only (grey cloud icon), not Proxied (orange cloud). If the record is proxied through your Cloudflare account, it will conflict with Exposure's SSL and your domain will not work correctly.

Troubleshooting

If you've set up DNS per our instructions, double-check for the following common issues:

  1. Check that the CNAME is set to domains.exposure.co and NOT username.exposure.co

  2. Check that the setup is fully complete at the setup wizard and test the URL from the wizard. This lets our platform know the domain is ready to use.

  3. Make sure your DNS changes have had time to propagate. This can take up to 48 hours, though it's usually much faster.

  4. If your browser shows a certificate warning, check whether your domain has CAA records that may be blocking certificate issuance. The CAA record must allow pki.goog.

Need Help?

If you have questions, reach out to us at [email protected]. We're happy to help!

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