Custom Domain Setup

A personalized domain name (like yourname.com) is the single most effective way to make your site look professional and memorable. It also prevents vendor lock-in, allowing you to switch hosting providers without losing your audience.

Professional

Build credibility with a custom yourname.com address.

Memorable

Make it easy for visitors to find and remember you.

Portable

Switch hosts anytime without changing your URL.

1. Register a Domain

We recommend Namecheap for its great value, free privacy protection, and excellent support.

Register at Namecheap Search for your name or brand. Try .com, .me, or .io endings.

2. Configure Your Host

Once you’ve purchased your domain, connect it to your hosting provider.

Netlify

1. Log in to Netlify.
2. Select your site and go to Domain Settings.
3. Click Add custom domain.
4. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourname.com) and follow the verification steps.
5. Netlify will automatically provision a free SSL certificate (HTTPS).

GitHub Pages

1. Go to your repository Settings > Pages.
2. Under Custom domain, enter your domain name.
3. Click Save.
4. Important: This creates a CNAME file in your repository.
5. Go to your domain registrar (e.g., Namecheap) and add the DNS records GitHub provides (usually a CNAME record pointing to yourusername.github.io).

3. Update Site Config

After connecting your domain, update your site’s base URL to ensure links work correctly.

1. Open config/_default/hugo.yaml.

2. Find the baseURL parameter.

3. Update it to your new domain:

   config/_default/hugo.yaml

   baseURL: 'https://www.yourname.com/'

Troubleshooting

DNS Propagation

It can take up to 48 hours for your new domain to work globally. This is normal behavior for the internet (DNS propagation).

If issues persist:

• Clear Cache: Clear your browser cache or try an incognito window.
• Check DNS: Use a tool like DNS Checker to verify your records are propagating.
• Contact Support: Reach out to Namecheap or your hosting provider’s support team.