This guide helps you decide whether to use a custom brand domain and whether to buy a new one or connect an existing one. If you already have a domain and need to set up DNS, please go directly to Connecting an existing domain.
| Your situation | Next step |
|---|---|
| Already bought a domain elsewhere | Connect an existing domain |
| Don't have a domain, want to buy one via Kanorio | Buy a domain via Kanorio |
| Use a free domain for now | Kanorio free domain |
A custom domain is a professional web address like yourbrand.com, yourbrand.net, or yourbrand.co. In Kanorio, we refer to these as custom domains.
Unlike a free domain like yourname.kanorio.com, a custom domain uses your brand name exclusively. It is ideal for established companies, shops, personal brands, and portfolios, though it is not a requirement for your first website launch.
For example:
mellowcoffee.kanorio.commellowcoffee.comThe former lets you get started immediately; the latter ensures your brand name is front and center in the URL.
When your website URL, logo, social media handles, and email signature all share the same brand name, visitors are more likely to remember you. A custom domain is also perfect for business cards, packaging, event posters, and QR codes.
When visitors see yourbrand.com, they can quickly verify that this is your official website. While free domains are perfectly safe, a custom domain serves as a more professional, long-term entry point for your brand.
SEO is a set of practices that help search engines understand and index your site. While a custom domain won't instantly rank you at the top of search results, using a single, consistent URL helps consolidate backlinks, social shares, and search engine signals.
Once your primary custom domain is active, Kanorio automatically redirects your free domain and any secondary domains to it, preventing your content from being split across multiple addresses.
Choose the option that matches your current situation:
| Your situation | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| No domain yet, and not in a rush | Start by publishing with a Kanorio free domain. |
| No domain yet, but need a brand URL now | Purchase a domain via Kanorio. See Buying a domain via Kanorio. |
| Already bought a domain elsewhere | No need to buy another. Follow Connecting an existing domain. |
| Domain managed by IT, an agency, or a previous vendor | Have them follow Connecting an existing domain to assist you. |
You can search, pay for, and assign domains directly via Kanorio, or buy one from an external registrar and connect it. Both paths get your brand online.
The free plan includes a Kanorio free domain, but you cannot add a custom domain directly from the site manager.
Custom domain limits by plan:
| Website plan | Custom domain limit |
|---|---|
| Free | 0 |
| Kanorio Pro | Up to 1 |
| Kanorio Business | Up to 5 |
These limits apply per website, not per account. If you have two websites, each can be on a different plan with its own custom domain.
If you buy a domain through Kanorio, ownership and assignment are managed in My Domains. Always refer to the in-app prompts for assignment. If you encounter issues with limits or status, contact support before deleting any existing domains.
For full plan details, see Choosing the right plan.
These terms are common, but they don't have to be complicated:
| Term | Example | Simple explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Root domain | yourbrand.com | The shortest, primary brand URL. |
| www URL | www.yourbrand.com | An alternative URL with www prefixed to the root. |
| Subdomain | shop.yourbrand.com | A prefix used for specific purposes like a shop, blog, or event page. |
All three can serve as custom domains. Every full URL you want to use must be added individually. For example, yourbrand.com and www.yourbrand.com are two distinct URLs; the system does not automatically create one for the other.
If you want your site to open whether or not a user types "www", add both the root domain and the www version to your custom domain list. Each will count toward your domain limit. For specific DNS records, follow Connecting an existing domain.
Each website can have one primary domain and multiple secondary domains:
For example, if you set yourbrand.com as your primary domain and www.yourbrand.com as a secondary domain, visitors entering via the secondary URL will be sent to the primary one via a 301 permanent redirect.
A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that the URL has moved permanently, ensuring visitors don't land on different versions of the same site.
In the "Custom Domains" section of your site manager, the first URL in the list is your primary domain. After reordering, save your changes and ensure the new primary domain shows as "Active".
Domain redirection handles the entry point; path redirects handle specific pages (e.g., /about-us.html to /about). These are separate features. See Setting up URL redirects for details.
You don't need to delete your free domain. The recommended workflow is:
Before it is active, the custom domain will show "Pending DNS". During this time, your free domain remains a safe, working link for testing and sharing. If the status remains stuck, see DNS settings and troubleshooting.
If you downgrade from Pro or Business to the Free plan, your custom domain will stop working, and your site will revert to the Kanorio free domain. Your custom domain settings are saved, so you can resume them if you upgrade again later.
Upon resubscribing, the domain will go through verification again. If your DNS records are still correct, it should reactivate automatically; otherwise, you may need to update them.
Downgrading does not cancel your domain registration with your registrar or Kanorio. Domain renewal and ownership are separate; check your domain management dashboard for expiration dates and auto-renewal settings.
No. The Free plan is limited to the Kanorio free domain. To add a custom domain, you need a Kanorio Pro or Business plan.
No. As long as you have DNS management access, you can connect it to Kanorio. See Connecting an existing domain.
No. A domain is the address (e.g., yourbrand.com), while a website is the content, images, and pages displayed at that address. You can own a domain without connecting it to a website.
Yes. The shortest brand URL, yourbrand.com, is the root domain and can be added as a custom domain and set as primary. See Connecting an existing domain for steps.
Yes, but they are separate URLs. Add both to your custom domain list and choose which one should be primary.
This usually happens when a domain is newly added, DNS propagation is incomplete, or records need adjustment. Keep your free domain active, then verify your records against Connecting an existing domain or check DNS settings and troubleshooting.
Your site will stop using the custom domain and revert to the free domain, but your domain registration remains active. You can re-verify and enable the custom domain if you upgrade again.