How to Host a Website on a Custom Domain
How Custom Domain Hosting Works
The platform's web hosting layer detects incoming requests by domain name. When a visitor loads your domain, the system looks up your domain configuration in the webhosting database, finds the matching pages, and serves your content. Each page on your site is stored as a separate database record, and the system assembles navigation, headers, and footers automatically based on your configuration.
This is different from traditional hosting where files sit on a server filesystem. With database-backed hosting, your pages are dynamic records that can be updated instantly through the admin panel. There is no FTP, no file management, and no server configuration. You manage everything through the Web Builder app in your admin panel.
Step-by-Step Setup
If you do not already own a domain, register one through any domain registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains. Choose a domain that is short, memorable, and relevant to your business. If you already have a domain, you can use it or a subdomain.
In your domain registrar's DNS settings, add a CNAME record or update your A record to point your domain to the platform's hosting servers. The specific DNS settings are provided in the Web Builder app when you add a new domain. DNS changes typically take a few minutes to a few hours to propagate.
Open the Web Builder app and add your domain to the hosting configuration. This creates the database records that tell the platform to serve your content when visitors load your domain. Configure your homepage, site title, and default page settings.
Create content pages in the Web Builder for your homepage, about page, services or products, contact information, and any other pages your site needs. Each page gets its own URL path on your domain. Use the block-based editor to design pages with pre-built sections for common page types.
Visit your domain in a browser to verify everything is working. Check that pages load correctly, navigation works, forms submit properly, and the site looks good on mobile devices. Once verified, your site is live and accessible to visitors worldwide.
What You Can Host on Your Domain
- Business website: Company pages, service descriptions, contact information, team bios
- Blog: Blog posts and content articles with automatic navigation
- Landing pages: Conversion-focused pages for ads, campaigns, and promotions
- Interactive content: Quizzes, polls, surveys, and trivia games
- Automated content: Daily news articles and other auto-published content
- Customer portal: User registration, login, and member areas
- AI chatbot: Embedded chatbot widget on any page
Advantages of Platform Hosting
No Server Management
You do not need to manage a web server, install updates, configure security, or handle backups. The platform handles all infrastructure so you can focus on building your website content.
Integrated Features
Your hosted website has built-in access to all platform features: AI chatbots, signup forms, interactive content, analytics tracking, and customer portals. These integrations work automatically without installing plugins or writing integration code.
Instant Updates
Changes to your website pages take effect immediately. Edit a page in the admin panel and it is live the next time someone loads it. No deployment process, no build steps, no waiting for caches to clear.
Host your website on your own custom domain with built-in AI features and interactive content.
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