From 5de9550435acbb79a252b4684ac44030d5ed1d15 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Kelly Thompson Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2025 13:42:04 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Update publishing-and-custom-domains.md Tried to clarify some of the steps with a bit more detail. --- .../publishing-and-custom-domains.md | 27 ++++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/university/foundations/publishing-and-custom-domains.md b/docs/university/foundations/publishing-and-custom-domains.md index 055d255..985b82d 100644 --- a/docs/university/foundations/publishing-and-custom-domains.md +++ b/docs/university/foundations/publishing-and-custom-domains.md @@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ description: Learn how to connect a custom domain to your Project. # 🌐 Publishing & Custom Domains {% hint style="warning" %} -If your DNS provider doesn’t allow you to add a CNAME at the apex, jump to [this section](publishing-and-custom-domains.md#dns-provider-doesnt-allow-cname-flattening). +Many DNS providers do not allow adding a CNAME at the root/apex. If yours doesn’t, jump to [this section](publishing-and-custom-domains.md#dns-provider-doesnt-allow-cname-flattening) for alternate options. {% endhint %} ## Adding a custom domain @@ -94,10 +94,14 @@ When publishing the site, optionally select the domain(s) you want to publish to ## Standardizing on root or `www` using Cloudflare -This will show you how to standardize on either `www` or your root domain using Cloudflare. +{% hint style="info" %} +Why would you want to do this? Standardizing your domain through Cloudflare is free, flexible, and easy to manage, while also delivering excellent performance. +{% endhint %} + +These instructions show you how to standardize your site’s primary domain in Cloudflare by choosing either `www` or the root domain. {% hint style="info" %} -Root domain is synonymous with apex, bare, and naked. An example is `example.com`. +Note root domain is synonymous with apex, bare, and naked. An example is `example.com`. {% endhint %} 1. Choose whether you want to use `www` or your root domain @@ -107,7 +111,7 @@ Root domain is synonymous with apex, bare, and naked. An example is `example.com ### 1: Add a DNS record for the other domain -Cloudflare rules can't apply to traffic that isn't proxied through Cloudflare. Therefore, adding a DNS record for the domain you are _not_ using is essential. Cloudflare offers an IP address for this exact use case. +Cloudflare rules can’t apply to traffic that isn’t proxied through Cloudflare. Therefore, adding a DNS record for the domain you are _not_ using is essential. Cloudflare offers an IP address for this exact use case. **Create an A record and point it to `192.0.2.1`.** @@ -115,19 +119,17 @@ Cloudflare rules can't apply to traffic that isn't proxied through Cloudflare. T > \ > \- [Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/setup/manage-domains/redirect-domain/) -Next, follow one of the subsequent options depending on your desired setup. +Next, choose one of the following options based on your preferred setup. ### 2a: Redirect root to `www` -If you are using `www` then it's important to redirect the root domain to it. For example, redirect `example.com` to `www.example.com`. +If you choose `www` as your primary domain, be sure to redirect the root domain to it. For example, `example.com` should redirect to `www.example.com`. Follow [Cloudflare's guide](https://developers.cloudflare.com/rules/url-forwarding/examples/redirect-root-to-www/) to redirect your root domain to `www`. ### 2b: Redirect `www` to root -While `www` is merely a subdomain and not technically different than `xyz.example.com`, old habits die hard, and some users may still type in `www` to get to your site. Therefore, it's good practice to redirect it to your root so they can reach your site. - -Follow [Cloudflare's guide](https://developers.cloudflare.com/rules/url-forwarding/examples/redirect-www-to-root/) to redirect `www` to your root domain. +Although `www` is just a subdomain like `xyz.example.com`, many users still reference it out of habit. To ensure they reach your site, it’s best practice to redirect `www` to your root domain. To do this, make sure you’ve create the A record with `192.0.2.1` as described above, then follow [Cloudflare’s guide](https://developers.cloudflare.com/rules/url-forwarding/examples/redirect-www-to-root/) to set up a _Rule_ in the Cloudflare dashboard. *** @@ -169,13 +171,14 @@ This list is _not_ comprehensive. * DigitalOcean * Namecheap * IONOS +* Hover -#### Option 1: Change your DNS provider +#### Option 1: Switch your DNS provider (without changing your domain registrar) -The easiest way to work around the CNAME limitation is to switch your DNS control over to a provider like [Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/get-started/setup/add-site/). This process takes about 10 minutes and once you have migrated, you can use the original process to configure it.. +The easiest way to work around the CNAME limitation is to switch your DNS control over to a provider like [Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/get-started/setup/add-site/). This process takes about 10 minutes and is free. Once you have migrated, you can use the original process detailed above to configure it. {% hint style="info" %} -You can move the DNS (where the DNS records are managed) _without_ moving the registration (where the domain is purchased), though it may make sense to move both. +You can move the DNS (where the DNS records are managed) _without_ needing to move the registration (i.e. where the domain was purchased), though it may make sense to move both. {% endhint %} #### Option 2: Publish your website on a `www` subdomain