How to add a custom domain
Replace your free artefact.bz link with your own domain name. Connect any domain you own in a few minutes — no technical knowledge required.
Custom domains require the Core plan or higher.
Step-by-step
- 1
Upgrade to Core or Pro if you haven't already
Custom domains require a Core or Pro plan. From your dashboard, go to Settings → Plan and upgrade. Your site continues working on its artefact.bz link during the upgrade.
- 2
Go to Settings → Custom domain
In your site dashboard, click 'Settings' in the left sidebar, then 'Custom domain'. This is where you'll enter the domain you want to connect.
- 3
Enter your domain name
Type the domain you want to use — for example, mybusiness.com or www.mybusiness.com. Click 'Add domain'. Artefact will show you the DNS records you need to set.
- 4
Log in to your domain registrar
Open a new tab and log in to wherever you bought your domain. Common registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains (now Squarespace Domains), Cloudflare, and Name.com. Look for 'DNS settings' or 'Manage DNS'.
- 5
Add the DNS records shown by Artefact
You'll need to add either a CNAME record (for subdomains like www.yourbusiness.com) or A records (for root domains like yourbusiness.com). Artefact shows you the exact values to enter. Copy them carefully — DNS is case-sensitive.
- 6
Wait for DNS to propagate
DNS changes typically take 10–60 minutes to take effect, though they can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. Once active, your domain will automatically get a free SSL certificate (HTTPS) from Artefact.
- 7
Verify in your Artefact dashboard
Return to Settings → Custom domain. When the connection is verified, you'll see a green 'Active' status. Your site is now live at your custom domain.
Tips & best practices
- ▸If you're on Cloudflare, set the DNS proxy to 'DNS only' (grey cloud) for the records pointing to Artefact, at least initially. The orange cloud (proxied) can sometimes interfere with SSL provisioning.
- ▸For root domains (no www), you need A records. For www.yourdomain.com, use a CNAME record. If you're unsure which to use, contact support and we'll walk you through it.
- ▸You can connect both the root domain and www and we'll redirect one to the other automatically.
- ▸If your domain isn't verified after 2 hours, double-check that the records match exactly what Artefact showed — especially the hostname and value fields.
Common questions
Does Artefact include SSL (HTTPS) for custom domains?
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Yes. When your domain connects successfully, Artefact automatically provisions a free SSL certificate. Your site will be accessible at https://yourdomain.com within a few minutes of the domain verifying.
Can I use a domain I bought from GoDaddy / Namecheap / Cloudflare?
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Yes. Artefact works with any domain registrar. The process is the same — you just need to add the DNS records we provide in your registrar's DNS settings panel.
What happens to my artefact.bz link after I connect a custom domain?
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It stays active. Your site is accessible at both your custom domain and your artefact.bz link. The artefact.bz link never disappears.
Can I use a subdomain like blog.mybusiness.com?
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Yes. Enter the full subdomain (e.g. shop.mybusiness.com) in the custom domain field and we'll show you a CNAME record to add.
I cancelled my plan — what happens to my custom domain?
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When your plan downgrades to free, your custom domain stops working. Your artefact.bz link remains active and all your content is preserved. Reconnect your domain by resubscribing to Core or Pro.