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Connect a Custom Domain

This article shows you how to point your own domain (like yourbusiness.com) at your published Kite site. You can connect a domain you already own or buy one directly through Kite.

Before you start​

  • Publish your site first. You can only connect a domain to a live site. The Add custom domain button stays disabled until you publish. See How to publish.
  • Custom domains require a paid Kite plan. See Plans & trial or kite.ai for current plan options.
  • Have your domain handy if you already own one. It does not matter where you bought it. See Connect a domain from your registrar.

Open the publish panel​

  1. Open your site in Kite.
  2. Click Publish in the top-right corner.
  3. Click Add custom domain.

If the button is grayed out, publish your site first. You will see the hint: "Publish your website to add a custom domain".

If Kite asks you to upgrade, follow the on-screen steps to choose a plan that includes custom domains.

Add custom domain button after publish

Choose how to add your domain​

Kite gives you two options:

  • Connect a domain you own for domains from GoDaddy, Cloudflare, or any DNS provider.
  • Buy a new domain to search for and purchase a domain directly in Kite.

Add custom domain options screen

Connect a domain you own​

Enter your domain​

  1. Click Connect a domain you own.
  2. Type your domain name (for example, example.com).
  3. Optional: check I want to use a subdomain if you want an address like www.example.com or shop.example.com.
  4. Click Connect domain.

Connect your domain form

You do not need to move your domain to Kite

You only add a few settings at the company where you bought your domain. Kite walks you through this step by step.

Set up DNS with Entri​

After you click Connect domain, the Entri modal opens. This is the tool Kite uses to set up your DNS.

What is Entri?

Entri is a service that connects to your domain provider and adds the right DNS records automatically, so you usually don't have to touch any technical settings yourself.

DNS setup guide

You can finish setup in one of two ways:

This is the easiest path and works with most popular domain providers.

  1. In the Entri modal, find and select your domain provider from the list (for example, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare).
  2. Sign in to your provider when prompted. This lets Entri add the DNS records for you.
  3. Confirm the changes Entri shows you and let it apply them.
  4. Close the modal when it reports success.
  5. Back in Kite, you may need to republish your site for the domain to go fully live. See How to publish.
tip

If your provider is in the list, always try this method first. It avoids typing DNS records by hand and reduces mistakes.

Method B: Manual DNS setup​

Use this if your provider isn't listed in Entri, or if someone else manages your DNS.

  1. In the Entri modal, scroll to the end of the providers list.
  2. Click Go to our manual setup.
  3. Entri shows you all the DNS records you need to add. Keep this screen open.
  4. Add those records in your domain provider's DNS settings (see Connect a domain from your registrar for where to find them).
  5. Save the records at your provider.
  6. When you have finished at your provider, confirm in Kite.
  7. Back in Kite, republish your site if prompted.
Handing the records to someone else​

If a colleague, web person, or IT contact manages your DNS, you don't have to do it yourself:

  1. On the manual setup screen, click Forward instructions to a colleague.
  2. This generates a link that contains all the DNS records.
  3. Send that link to whoever manages your DNS, and they can add the records for you.
DNS records you'll typically add​

If you're adding records by hand, these are the values seen in real setups:

TypeHost / NameValue / Points to
A@76.76.21.21
CNAMEwwwcname.vercel-dns.com
What these mean
  • An A record points a domain to a server's numeric address (an IP address). The host @ means the root of your domain (for example, yourbusiness.com with no www).
  • A CNAME record points one name at another name. Here it points www.yourbusiness.com at Kite's hosting.
Always confirm the exact values in Entri

Use the records that Entri shows you for your specific domain rather than copying these from memory. Values can change. The table above is a reference for what they tend to look like.

Buy a domain through Kite​

If you do not own a domain yet, you can buy one directly in Kite:

  1. Under Buy a new domain, search for the name you want.
  2. Pick an option marked Available and review the price and renewal cost.
  3. Click Confirm purchase.

Confirm domain purchase

Domain purchases

Domain purchases are non-refundable. You are charged right away for the registration price and each year for renewal. Your domain is usually ready to use immediately after purchase.

After you connect​

After you connect or buy a domain, Kite shows a Setting up status while your new address spreads across the internet.

Domain setting up status

  • This usually takes a few minutes.
  • In some cases it can take up to 24 hours.
  • Try opening your domain in a browser to see if it is live.

This domain is being set up across the internet. It usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours. You can try opening the domain to see if it's live.

When setup is complete, the status changes to Connected and your custom domain becomes your site's main address.

  • Republish if prompted. After connecting, your site may need a fresh publish for the domain to serve the latest version.
info

Want to set up www and the root domain correctly, and avoid security warnings? See www vs. Root Domain (and SSL).

Disconnect a custom domain​

To remove a custom domain from your site, go to your site's Settings and click Disconnect custom domain. Your site will go back to using its yoursite.kite.space address.

To move a domain to a different site, see Move, switch, or reuse a domain.

Troubleshooting​

IssueWhat to do
Add custom domain is disabledPublish your site first
Upgrade prompt appearsFollow the upgrade steps shown in Kite, or see Plans & trial
Setup was cancelledClick Connect domain and start again
Domain not loading after 24 hoursDouble-check that the settings at your domain provider match what Kite showed
  • Domain still shows the old .kite.space address or a 404. Try republishing, then wait for DNS to propagate. See Troubleshoot a connected domain.
  • "Domain already connected to another website." The domain is attached to a different Kite app. Disconnect it there first, or contact support. See Move, switch, or reuse a domain.
  • "Connection Not Private" / SSL warning. This often clears on its own as the security certificate is issued, especially once both www and root are set. See www vs. Root Domain (and SSL).
  • Changes aren't showing up. This is usually DNS propagation or a needed republish. See Changes not showing.