# Setting Up a Root Custom Domain

Source: https://support.exposure.co/en/articles/2342980-setting-up-a-root-custom-domain/

_Point your root domain like [www.yourdomain.com](<http://www.yourdomain.com/>) to your Exposure site._

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## 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.

<table role="presentation" style="border: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-radius: 6px; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Type</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Host</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Points To</p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">CNAME</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>www</code></p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>domains.exposure.co</code></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

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## 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.
    

<table role="presentation" style="border: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-radius: 6px; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Type</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Host</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Points To</p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">ALIAS / ANAME / CNAME</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>@</code></p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>domains.exposure.co</code></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

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## 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](<https://exposure.co/custom-domains/wizard/setup-domain?type=root>)

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## 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:
    

<table role="presentation" style="border: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-radius: 6px; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Type</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Host</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">Value</p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin">CAA</p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>yourdomain.com</code></p></td><td style="border-left: 1px solid #c6c9c0; border-top: 1px solid #c6c9c0; padding: 8px;"><p class="no-margin"><code>0 issue "pki.goog"</code></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

-   **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.

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## 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](<https://exposure.co/custom-domains/wizard/have-domain>) 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**.
    

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## Need Help?

If you have questions, reach out to us at [support@exposure.co](<mailto:support@exposure.co>). We’re happy to help!

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## Need help?

Use the [Exposure contact form](<https://exposure.co/contact>).