To set up a Framer custom domain, open your site settings, go to the Domains section, and add the domain you own. Framer gives you DNS records to add at your registrar, usually an A record and a CNAME record. Once those records propagate and Framer verifies them, your site goes live with automatic SSL.
Key Takeaways
- A custom domain replaces the default Framer subdomain with your own branded web address.
- Setup involves adding DNS records, typically an A record and a CNAME, at your domain registrar.
- Framer issues a free SSL certificate automatically once your domain is verified.
- DNS propagation can take from a few minutes to roughly 48 hours, though it is often quick.
- Most setup problems trace back to incorrect records, conflicting old records, or simply needing more time.
Why a Custom Domain Matters
When you publish a site on Framer, it goes live on a free subdomain that ends in framer.website or framer.app. That address works perfectly for testing and client review, but it is not the right home for a real business. A custom domain, such as your company name followed by a standard extension, signals legitimacy and trust the moment a visitor sees it.
A custom domain also supports your marketing. It is what you print on business cards, share in email signatures, and build brand recognition around. Search engines treat your own domain as a stable, ownable asset, which matters for long-term SEO. Connecting one is a short technical task with a lasting payoff.
What you need before starting
Two things are required. First, a published Framer site on a plan that allows custom domains. Second, a domain you own, purchased from a registrar such as a major domain provider. If you do not have a domain yet, buy one before continuing, since the setup connects an existing domain rather than registering a new one.
Understanding DNS and How Domains Connect
Before changing settings, it helps to understand what is happening. DNS, the Domain Name System, is like a phone book for the internet. It translates a human-friendly domain into the server address where your site actually lives. When you connect a domain to Framer, you are updating that phone book entry to point at Framer’s servers.
The records you will use
Two record types do most of the work. An A record points a domain to a specific IP address, and Framer uses it for the root domain, the version without www. A CNAME record points one domain name to another, and Framer uses it for the www version of your site. You add these records in your registrar’s DNS settings, and once they take effect, traffic flows to your Framer site.
Step-by-Step Custom Domain Setup
The process is the same regardless of which registrar you use, though the menu names differ slightly. Follow these steps in order.
Adding your domain in Framer
- Open your Framer project and go to the site settings.
- Find the Domains section and click to add a custom domain.
- Type in the exact domain you own and confirm it.
- Framer then displays the DNS records you need to add, including the specific values for the A record and CNAME record.
- Keep this screen open, since you will copy these values into your registrar.
Adding records at your registrar
- Log in to the registrar where you bought the domain.
- Find the DNS management or DNS settings area for your domain.
- Add the A record exactly as Framer specifies, using the host value and the IP address provided.
- Add the CNAME record for the www version, pointing it to the target Framer gives you.
- Save the changes.
Accuracy matters here. A single wrong character in a record value will prevent the domain from connecting. Copy and paste the values rather than typing them by hand.
Verification and SSL
After you save the DNS records, Framer needs to verify them. Return to the Domains section in your site settings. Framer periodically checks whether the records are live and correct. When it confirms them, the domain status changes to connected.
Automatic SSL
Once your domain is verified, Framer automatically issues an SSL certificate for it. This is what enables the secure HTTPS connection and the padlock icon in the browser. You do not buy or install a certificate yourself, and Framer renews it automatically. A secure connection is essential, since browsers warn visitors away from sites without one and search engines favor HTTPS.
Connecting the domain is one part of a clean launch. Our full guide to publishing on Framer walks through the steps before and after this, so the domain connection fits into a complete launch process.
Common Setup Problems and Fixes
Most custom domain issues come from a small set of causes. Knowing them turns a frustrating wait into a quick fix.
The domain still is not connecting
The most common cause is simply time. DNS propagation can take from a few minutes to around 48 hours, though it is frequently much faster. If you added the records correctly, give it several hours before assuming something is wrong. You can use a DNS lookup tool to check whether your records are visible publicly yet.
Conflicting old records
If the domain was previously used with another website or service, old A or CNAME records may still exist. These conflict with the new Framer records and cause unpredictable behavior. Review your DNS settings and remove any outdated records that point the domain or the www subdomain somewhere else.
Incorrect record values
Double-check that the A record IP and the CNAME target exactly match what Framer provided. A trailing space, a missing letter, or the wrong host value will break the connection. Compare the values side by side with the Framer settings screen.
The www or root version not working
If one version of your site works but the other does not, you are usually missing a record. The root domain needs the A record and the www version needs the CNAME. Add whichever one is missing, and set a redirect so both versions resolve to the same place.
Verifying Everything Works
Once Framer shows the domain as connected, confirm it properly. Open a fresh browser tab and visit your domain directly. Then run through a short check.
- The root domain loads your Framer site correctly.
- The www version also loads, or redirects cleanly to your preferred version.
- The connection is secure, shown by the padlock icon and an HTTPS address.
- Internal pages all load on the custom domain, not the old subdomain.
- The site looks correct on both desktop and mobile.
It is also worth deciding which version of your domain is the primary one, with or without www, and making sure the other redirects to it. Consistency here keeps your SEO clean and avoids search engines treating two versions as separate sites. For more on protecting your search performance, our Framer SEO guide covers domain and indexing settings in depth.
Managing Your Domain After Setup
Once connected, a custom domain needs little ongoing attention, but a few habits keep it healthy. Keep your domain registration renewed, since an expired domain takes your site offline regardless of how well Framer is configured. Many registrars offer auto-renewal, which is worth enabling.
Adding subdomains
You can also connect subdomains, such as a blog or a separate landing page, by adding additional records and pointing them at the relevant Framer site. This is useful as your web presence grows. If you are comparing Framer’s domain handling with other platforms before committing, our look at Framer versus Shopify covers how domain setup differs across tools.
Want your Framer site launched on a custom domain without the DNS headache? Our team handles domain connection, SSL, redirects, and verification as part of a complete build. Get in touch with our Framer specialists to start, or review clear options on our pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to connect a custom domain to Framer?
The setup itself takes only a few minutes. After you add the DNS records, propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to around 48 hours, though it is often much faster. Framer verifies the records automatically once they are live.
Do I need to buy SSL for a Framer custom domain?
No. Framer issues and renews a free SSL certificate automatically once your custom domain is verified. This enables the secure HTTPS connection without any extra cost or manual installation on your part.
Can I use a domain I bought elsewhere with Framer?
Yes. You can connect a domain from any registrar to Framer. You keep the domain where you bought it and simply add the DNS records Framer provides in that registrar’s DNS settings to point the domain at your Framer site.
Why is my Framer custom domain not working?
The usual causes are DNS records that have not propagated yet, incorrect record values, or old conflicting records left from a previous setup. Verify the A record and CNAME match Framer’s values exactly, remove outdated records, and allow time for propagation.