Adding a custom domain

If you would like to make your site memorable and easy to find with a branded custom domain, then you can map any domain you own directly to your Ghost(Pro) publication. This is done by adding CNAME and A records within your domain's DNS settings.

Regardless of how a user enters your publication's URL in their browser, they'll always be directed to the correct site.

All Ghost(Pro) sites will automatically be provided with an SSL certificate by default, which simplifies the process and ensures you site is secure.

Popular DNS providers

Use the following guides if you are using any of these popular domain name providers:

• GoDaddy
• Namecheap
• Google
• Hover
• Gandi
• Squarespace

Advanced users may also wish to read more about domain setup via Cloudflare.

Otherwise, follow the instructions below to setup a custom domain for your Ghost site.

Before you begin

Before configuring a custom domain with your publication, decide whether you want to use a subdomain or root domain as the default URL for your site.

What is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a subdivision of your domain name. For example, if you want to use Ghost(Pro) at blog.ghost.org, “blog,” would be a subdomain of ghost.org. The most common subdomain is “www” e.g. www.ghost.org.

What is a Root Domain?
A root domain, also known as a “naked domain,” is a domain without a subdomain in front, e.g. ghost.org is a root domain. Root domains are assigned in DNS records using the “@” symbol, and are considered non-standard setups on Ghost(Pro), as root level CNAME records are only supported by some DNS providers, and may interfere with email.

If you'd prefer a root domain and are using a DNS provider that doesn't support this - we recommend routing your DNS through a service such as Cloudflare, which gives you more flexibility.

Step 1: Create a CNAME record

Recommended DNS Setup

For a quick and easy setup, we recommend using a subdomain (e.g. www.domain.com) with Ghost(Pro). To achieve this setup, create the following DNS records with your domain provider:

The CNAME is required. The A record is optional - it creates a redirect from your root domain, to the www subdomain.

Root Domain Setup

If you'd prefer to use a root domain (e.g. domain.com), create the following DNS records with your domain provider.

The CNAME is required. The A record is optional - it creates a redirect from your www subdomain to the root domain.

Non-www Subdomain Setup

If you'd prefer to use an alternative subdomain (e.g. blog.domain.com), create the following CNAME record with your domain provider.

Step 2: Activate the Custom Domain

Login to your publication's Ghost Admin area, and go to the Ghost(Pro) > Domain settings.

Click the “Setup” button, enter your custom domain into the custom domain field, and click activate, to activate your custom domain.