Link Studio

Set Up a Custom Domain

A custom domain lets your page live at your own address, like yourbrand.com, instead of the default link. Connecting one is a Pro feature, and it takes three things: a domain you own, one DNS record, and the Verify step in Settings.

You buy the domain elsewhere

Link Studio does not sell domains. You buy one from a domain provider (a "registrar"), then point it at your page. This guide uses Cloudflare as the example provider, but the same steps work anywhere; only the record screens look different.

Step 1: Buy a domain

If you do not own a domain yet, buy one from a registrar. We use Cloudflare here because it sells domains at cost and manages the DNS for you in the same place.

Create a Cloudflare account

Sign up at the Cloudflare dashboard (it is free).

Register your domain

In the dashboard, go to Domain Registration → Register Domains, search for the name you want, and buy it. Once it is registered with Cloudflare, its DNS is managed by Cloudflare automatically, so there is nothing extra to connect.

Already own a domain somewhere else? You can keep it there and just add the DNS record (Step 3) with your current provider, or move it to Cloudflare first. Either works.

Open your page's Settings and find the Custom Domain section (Pro).

Enter your domain

Type your domain (for example yourbrand.com) into the Custom Domain field.

Save Changes

Press Save Changes. Link Studio then shows the DNS record you need to add.

The Custom Domain section showing the DNS records1000 x 560

The section shows an A record to add (currently the value is 216.198.79.1). Always use the exact value shown in your Settings, in case it changes.

Step 3: Add the DNS record in Cloudflare

Now tell your domain where to point by adding that A record in Cloudflare.

Open your domain's DNS

In the Cloudflare dashboard, select your domain, then open DNS → Records and click Add record.

Add the A record

Set Type to A, Name to @ (this means the root of your domain), and IPv4 address to the value from your Link Studio Settings (216.198.79.1). Leave TTL on Auto.

Turn the proxy off

Set Proxy status to DNS only by clicking the cloud icon so it turns grey. Then Save.

Set the record to DNS only (grey cloud)

Cloudflare turns on its proxy (an orange cloud) by default. For a custom domain to connect and get its secure certificate correctly, the record must be DNS only (grey cloud). If you leave it proxied, the domain may fail to verify or load with a security error.

Using a subdomain instead of the root?

If you want something like shop.yourbrand.com, enter that full subdomain in Step 2, and in Step 3 set the record Name to the subdomain part (shop) instead of @. Everything else is the same.

Step 4: Verify the domain

Back in Link Studio Settings, press Verify Domain.

  • If it succeeds, you are done. Your page will start serving on your domain, and its secure certificate is set up for you automatically.
  • If it fails, Settings shows a TXT record to add (its value starts with vc-domain-verify=). In Cloudflare, add a new record with Type TXT, Name @, and paste that value as the content. Save, wait a few minutes, then press Verify Domain again.
Pressing Verify Domain after adding the record1000 x 480

Step 5: Give it a little time

DNS changes are not always instant. If the domain does not work right away, wait a bit (usually minutes, sometimes longer) and try Verify Domain again. Once verified, the secure https certificate is issued for you, so there is nothing else to set up.

Quick checklist
  1. Domain bought and its DNS is on Cloudflare.
  2. Domain entered and saved in Settings.
  3. A record added in Cloudflare, set to DNS only.
  4. Verify Domain pressed (add the TXT record if asked).
  5. Wait for it to go live.

Every provider has its own layout for adding records, but the fields are the same (type, name, value). If you get stuck on where those live, check your provider's own help pages for "add a DNS record".