Launch your site on a custom domain

1. 1

   Publish your project to make it live on a temporary Lovable address.

   This creates a working version of your project that can be accessed online, which is a necessary first step before connecting your own web address.

2. 2

   Decide how you want to get your custom web address (domain): buy a new one through Lovable, connect one you already own, or transfer one you own to Lovable's management.

   This choice determines the specific steps you'll take to link your project to your desired web address.

3. 3

   Follow the specific instructions for your chosen domain path (buy, connect, or transfer) in your project's settings.

   Each path has different requirements for setting up your domain, such as providing details, making payments, or updating records with your domain provider.

4. 4

   Wait for your domain's status to change to 'Live' in your project settings.

   This indicates that your custom web address is fully connected to your Lovable project and is ready for visitors.

5. 5

   Test your live site by opening your custom web address in a private browser window to ensure it loads correctly and redirects work.

   This confirms that your project is accessible to visitors on your custom domain and that all associated addresses (like 'www' or the Lovable temporary address) correctly point to it.

6. 6

   Run an SEO and AI search review in your project's 'SEO & AI search' tab.

   This helps search engines like Google and AI assistants find and properly display your website, making it easier for people to discover your project.

Hey Lovable, I've finished my project and want to put it on my own web address. First, please publish my project. Then, I want to connect my existing domain, 'yourdomain.com'. Can you help me with the steps to do that?

Custom domain

Your own unique web address, like 'yourcompany.com', instead of a generic one provided by Lovable.

DNS (Domain Name System)

A system that translates human-readable web addresses (like 'google.com') into computer-readable numerical addresses (like '192.0.2.1'), guiding browsers to the correct website.

SSL certificate

A digital certificate that secures your website, allowing it to use 'HTTPS' (the padlock icon in your browser) and protecting information exchanged between your site and its visitors.

Root domain

The main part of your web address, like 'yourdomain.com', without any prefixes like 'www' or 'app'.

Subdomain

A prefix added to your root domain, like 'app.yourdomain.com' or 'blog.yourdomain.com', used for different sections or services of your website.

A record

A type of DNS record that points your domain or subdomain to a specific numerical internet address (IP address) where your website is hosted.

TXT record

A type of DNS record that holds text information, often used for verification purposes, like proving you own a domain.

TTL (Time To Live)

A setting in DNS records that tells computers how long to remember the record's information before checking for updates. A shorter time means changes take effect faster.

Primary domain

The main web address that all other addresses for your project will redirect to. For example, if 'www.yourdomain.com' and 'yourdomain.com' both go to 'yourdomain.com', then 'yourdomain.com' is the primary domain.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

The process of making your website more visible and easier to find when people search for things on search engines like Google.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)

The process of optimizing your website content so that AI assistants like ChatGPT can easily extract and use it to answer user questions.

• Forgetting to publish your project before trying to connect a custom domain, as the domain won't serve an unpublished project.
• Not having the correct permissions (Editor or higher for publishing/connecting, Workspace admin/owner for buying/transferring domains or editing DNS) which will prevent you from completing the steps.
• Trying to use a custom domain without a paid plan, as custom domains require a paid subscription.
• Closing the DNS setup window too early when connecting an existing domain, which might remove the domain or require you to start over.
• Incorrectly entering DNS records (Type, Name, Value) when manually connecting a domain, leading to verification failures.
• Forgetting to remove old A, AAAA, or CNAME records that point to a previous host, which can cause your domain to show the wrong website.
• Not confirming the registrant email for a newly bought or transferred domain, which can lead to the domain being suspended.
• Starting a domain transfer within 60 days of its last registration or transfer, as ICANN rules block this.
• Forgetting to disable DNSSEC and unlock your domain at your current registrar before attempting a transfer, which will cause the transfer to fail.
• Not copying the authorization code (EPP code) correctly for a domain transfer, leading to transfer failures.
• Not checking your live site in a private browser window, which can give you a false sense of security due to cached pages.
• Forgetting to run an SEO and AI search review after your site is live, which can hinder its discoverability by search engines and AI.