Connect an Existing Domain
If you've already purchased yourbrand.com from another domain registrar, you don't need to buy it again. You just need to add a few DNS records where you manage your domain to point it to your Kanorio website.
DNS might sound technical, but in this process, you'll mainly be pasting the "Name" and "Target" provided by Kanorio into your DNS management page. Once done, the system will automatically check and activate your URL.
Prerequisites
Before you start, please confirm:
- Your website plan is Kanorio Pro or Business, as the free version does not support custom domains.
- You own the domain or have permission to log in and manage its DNS.
- You know which service currently manages your DNS. Where you bought your domain isn't always where your DNS is managed; if you've changed your nameservers to Cloudflare, your records need to be set in Cloudflare, not with your original domain registrar.
- It's best if your website is already published using the Kanorio free URL to facilitate testing during setup.
If you're unsure who manages your DNS, ask the person or company who purchased the domain, your IT department, your original website developer, or check the "Nameservers" settings in your domain account.
Choose the URL You Want to Connect
Enter the full URL, without https://, slashes, or page paths.
| URL You Want to Use | Enter in Kanorio |
|---|---|
| Root Domain | yourbrand.com |
| www URL | www.yourbrand.com |
| Store Subdomain | shop.yourbrand.com |
yourbrand.com, www.yourbrand.com, and shop.yourbrand.com are three distinct URLs. If you want both your root domain and www to lead to your website, add both to Kanorio and set up DNS records for each.
Setup Steps
1. Add Your Custom Domain in Kanorio
- Go to the management page for your target website.
- Find the "Custom Domains" section.
- Enter the full domain, e.g.,
yourbrand.com. - If you also want to use
www.yourbrand.com, add it as another entry. - List the primary URL you want to use first, as the first entry will be your main domain.
- Click "Save".
After saving, the domain will typically show "Waiting for DNS to propagate." This is normal and means Kanorio has registered your URL and is waiting for external DNS to point to the correct location.
2. Copy Kanorio's DNS Instructions
After saving, Kanorio will display the DNS records you need to add in the custom domain section. Prioritize the content shown on your screen, as system settings can vary by domain type.
Here are the typical settings:
| URL You're Connecting | Record Type | Name/Host | Target/Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Root Domain yourbrand.com | CNAME | @ | saas.kanorio.com |
www URL www.yourbrand.com | CNAME | www | saas.kanorio.com |
Other Subdomain shop.yourbrand.com | CNAME | shop | saas.kanorio.com |
CNAME is an "alias record." In simple terms, it tells the internet: "This URL should follow another URL." saas.kanorio.com is the target provided by Kanorio.
Some domain registrars don't allow CNAME records for root domains. In such cases, use the A record that Kanorio currently supports:
| URL You're Connecting | Record Type | Name/Host | Target/Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Root Domain yourbrand.com | A | @ | 172.104.94.104 |
A records link a URL to a server's IP address. Do not have conflicting A and CNAME records for the same name; if you're unsure which to delete, take a screenshot of your current settings and contact support.
3. Add or Modify Records on Your DNS Management Page
Log in to your DNS provider and look for options like:
- DNS
- DNS Records
- Zone Editor
- DNS Management
- DNS Hosting
- Domain Settings
- Host Records
When adding records, common fields correspond as follows:
| DNS Provider Field | What You Should Enter |
|---|---|
| Type, Record Type | Select CNAME or A. |
| Name, Host, Name | Enter @, www, or the prefix shown by Kanorio. |
| Target, Value, Points to | Enter saas.kanorio.com or the address shown by Kanorio. |
| TTL | If unsure, leave the default value. |
| Proxy | Maintain your provider's existing setting; do not delete other services to set up your website. |
Some providers automatically append your domain (yourbrand.com) to the name field. In these cases, enter only www, not the full www.yourbrand.com, to avoid duplication. Only enter the full domain name if the field explicitly requires it.
4. Save and Wait for System Verification
DNS changes typically take effect within minutes to a few hours; in rare cases, it might take 24 to 48 hours.
You don't need to keep re-adding the domain. Kanorio will periodically retry verification while your website management page is open, and it also checks in the background. Once the status changes from "Waiting for DNS to propagate" to "Active," the SSL certificate will also be prepared.
If your custom domain isn't verified within 7 consecutive days, the system will clear the pending settings to prevent them from occupying the URL indefinitely. If this happens, correct your DNS and add the domain again.
Common DNS Provider Access Points
Below are common access point names for services. Backend interfaces may be updated, so consider these as hints for where to look rather than fixed paths.
| Region | Service | Common Access Point |
|---|---|---|
| International | Cloudflare | Websites or Domains → DNS → Records |
| International | Namecheap | Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS |
| International | GoDaddy | My Products → Domains → DNS or Manage DNS |
| International | Squarespace Domains | Settings → Domains → Select Domain → DNS Settings. Original Google Domains are now managed here. |
| International | Porkbun | Domain Management → Details → DNS Records |
| International | Dynadot | My Domains → Manage Domains → Select Domain → DNS Settings |
| International | Gandi | Domain → DNS Records or LiveDNS |
| Taiwan | PChome Buy Domain | Manage My Domains → DNS Settings & Modification → PChome Hosted DNS |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa Telecom HiNet | Domain Management or DNS Hosting → DNS Records/Host Records |
| Hong Kong | HKDNR | Login → Select Domain → Manage → DNS Hosting |
| Singapore, Malaysia | Exabytes | Client Area → Domains → Manage Domain → DNS Management |
| Singapore, Malaysia | Vodien | Client Area → Domains → Select Domain → DNS Management |
| Japan | お名前.com | お名前.com Navi → ネームサーバー／DNS → ドメインの DNS レコード設定 |
| Japan | ムームードメイン | Console → Domain Operations → ムームー DNS |
| South Korea | Gabia | Service Management → DNS Management Tool → DNS Settings |
| South Korea | Cafe24 | My Service Management → Domain Management → DNS Management |
If your provider isn't listed, you can usually find a "DNS," "Zone," or "Records" page within your domain details. If you can't find it, search for "[Service Name] + DNS Records" and refer to the official documentation for that service.
Important for Existing Websites or Company Emails
DNS settings determine which website a URL points to. If your root domain's records currently point to an old website, changing those records will stop the old site from being accessible via that URL.
Before switching, we recommend:
- Thoroughly test your new website using the Kanorio free URL.
- Note down the existing A, CNAME, or redirect records used by your old site.
- If your old site has publicly accessible paths (e.g.,
/about-us.html), set up URL Redirect Rules in Kanorio so old links still lead to the correct new pages. - Choose a low-traffic period for the switch.
- After completion, test the new URL using your mobile data and an incognito browser window.
Company emails typically rely on MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. When adding A or CNAME records for your website, do not delete these email records, as this could disrupt email delivery or sender authentication.
If you only want shop.yourbrand.com to point to Kanorio, your root domain and company email can remain as they are. You only need to add the corresponding CNAME record for shop.
Notes for Cloudflare Users
If your DNS is managed by Cloudflare, you should set up your records in Cloudflare's DNS Records settings, even if you purchased the domain elsewhere.
Cloudflare's orange cloud indicates proxy mode. Kanorio's verification can handle common proxy scenarios, so you don't necessarily need to disable proxying just to connect Kanorio. If the status doesn't update for a long time, first confirm your record name and target are correct, then consult DNS Setup and Troubleshooting; avoid randomly changing other active security or caching settings.
CAA Records May Affect SSL Certificates
CAA records are DNS rules that restrict which certificate authorities can issue SSL certificates for your domain. They are common for domains with higher security requirements.
If your DNS points correctly but the SSL certificate fails to issue, it might be due to CAA restrictions on Kanorio's certificate process. Do not delete unknown CAA records directly; first, ask the domain administrator about their purpose and provide the current CAA records and your Kanorio domain status to support.
Tips
- Add the domain first, then modify DNS, so you know exactly what name and target to enter.
- If using both the root domain and
www, add both to Kanorio and configure DNS for both; you cannot set up only one. - Keep your existing email records, especially MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Continue testing with the free URL until DNS propagates; don't rush to delete or disable the original URL.
- If an external vendor is setting this up, share both the DNS table on this page and the instructions from your Kanorio screen with them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting an Existing Domain
Typically, it takes a few minutes to a few hours, with a maximum of 24 to 48 hours. This is the normal time for global DNS propagation and doesn't necessarily indicate an error.
Yes. Retain your MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, and only add or adjust the records needed for your website.
Yes, but they must be added to Kanorio and have DNS configured separately. Once you designate one as the primary domain, the other will redirect to it.
Yes, the number depends on your website plan. The first domain will be primary, and others will redirect to it. See Using Your Own Domain for details on limits.
Potentially, especially if you modify the A or CNAME records for your root domain that previously pointed to your old host. Back up your records before switching and choose a low-traffic period.
No. Connecting a custom domain requires Kanorio Pro or Business.
Not necessarily. First, ensure your records are correct and wait for verification. If it still doesn't work, follow the DNS troubleshooting steps or contact support.