How to connect a custom domain
Updated 20.10.2026 5 min read
A site on Gallera is available right away at its address on the platform (a subdomain). You can also connect a custom domain to the site — an address you purchased from a domain registrar, such as example.com or www.example.com.
A custom domain is available on all site plans. One custom domain can be connected to a site.
Where to find the domain settings
- Open the “Sites” section and click the site card (or choose “Settings” in the site menu).
- Go to the “Domain” section.
At the top of the section is the site address on the platform (the “Subdomain” field), and below it is the “Custom domain” block.
Step 1. Connect the domain
In the “Custom domain” block, enter the domain in the “Domain” field and click “Connect”.
- Enter the address as
example.comorwww.example.com. If you paste a full link, such ashttps://www.example.com/about, everything extra is dropped andwww.example.comis kept. - A site gets one address: either
example.comorwww.example.com.
The domain appears in the list with the “Waiting for DNS” status. If the DNS record is already set up, the status changes straight to “Enabling HTTPS”. If the domain still points to another server (for example, a registrar’s parking page), the status is “DNS error” — that’s expected until you change the record in step 2.
Step 2. Add a DNS record
Open the DNS settings of the domain wherever you manage it (at your registrar or, for example, in Cloudflare) and add the record shown in the cabinet in the “Set up a DNS record with your provider” block:
| What you connect | Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Root domain (example.com) |
A | @ |
the IP address from the cabinet |
Subdomain (www.example.com or any other) |
as shown in the cabinet (CNAME or A) | www or your subdomain |
the value from the cabinet |
Always take the record type and value from the cabinet: it shows the current data for your site.
For the domain to pass the check:
- remove any other A records for this address — the domain must point only to the address from the cabinet;
- remove AAAA (IPv6) records for this address — they don’t point to our server, and HTTPS can’t be enabled through them;
- if your domain is on Cloudflare, this record needs the grey cloud (“DNS only”), not the orange one.
Step 3. Wait for the check
Once you have added the record, click “Check” next to the domain. We also check the domain automatically — every 5 minutes for a week after you connect it, and after that only with the “Check” button. DNS changes may take up to a few hours.
When DNS is set up correctly, the status changes to “Enabling HTTPS”: we automatically issue a secure connection certificate for the domain (Let’s Encrypt). This usually takes a few minutes, and the list refreshes by itself.
When the status becomes “Active”, the site opens at your domain, and the “Preview site” and “Share” buttons in the cabinet use the new address. The address on the platform (the subdomain) keeps working too.
Domain statuses
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for DNS | The domain has no DNS records yet | Add the record and click “Check” |
| DNS error | The records point to the wrong place | Fix the record following the hint under the domain and click “Check” |
| Enabling HTTPS | DNS is set up, the certificate is being issued | Wait a few minutes or click “Refresh” |
| Active | The site opens at your domain | Click the domain to open the site |
| HTTPS error | The secure connection could not be enabled | Check the domain’s DNS records and click “Try again” |
If you see “DNS error”
The hint under the domain tells you what is wrong:
- “The domain points to …, but it should point to …” — the record points to another server. Change the record value to the address from the cabinet.
- “This record has the orange cloud turned on in Cloudflare” — switch the cloud to grey (“DNS only”).
- “Besides … there are other A records” — remove the extra A records.
- “Remove the domain’s AAAA (IPv6) records” — remove the AAAA records.
After fixing it, click “Check”.
Possible errors when connecting
- “Enter a domain like example.com or www.example.com” — check that the domain is spelled correctly.
- “This domain is already connected” — the domain is already connected to one of the sites.
- “This domain was recently removed from another site” — after removal, the domain stays reserved for its previous site for 30 days. A domain you removed from another site of your own can be connected right away.
- “This domain belongs to Gallera and cannot be connected” — Gallera addresses can’t be connected as a custom domain.
How to remove a domain
Click the trash icon next to the domain and confirm the removal. The site will stop opening at this address.
You can bring the domain back within 30 days — connect it to the site again, and its DNS will be checked again.
To connect a different domain, remove the current one first: while a domain is connected, the field for a new one is not shown.
How to change the site address on the platform
The “Subdomain” field at the top of the “Domain” section is the site address on the platform. It can contain Latin letters, digits and hyphens (not at the start or end), up to 63 characters.
Enter the new address, click “Change address” and confirm the change.
The old address will stop working right away, and links to it that you have already shared will not open.