Adding custom domains

Last updated August 5, 2026

Objective

This guide outlines the steps to connect your custom domain or subdomain to your Recur website. By setting up the correct DNS records, you can ensure your association's website is accessible via your branded URL (e.g., test.yourdomain.com).

Key Steps

Step 1: Access Domain Settings

  • From your Recur dashboard, navigate to Settings in the main menu.

  • Select the General tab.

  • Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Sites / Domain Setup section.

  • Click the dropdown menu to open the domain configuration field.

Step 2: Enter Your Domain

  • In the provided space, enter the domain or subdomain you wish to use (e.g., test.getrecur.com).

  • System Prompt: Once entered, Recur will automatically display the specific DNS values you need to add to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).

Step 3: Configure Your DNS (CNAME Record)

To link the domain, you must add a CNAME record at your domain host:

  • Record Type: CNAME

  • Host/Name: Enter your subdomain prefix (e.g., if you want test.yourdomain.com, the host is test).

  • Value/Points To: Copy the unique location provided by Recur in Step 2.

  • TTL: Leave as default (typically 3600 or 1 hour).

Step 4: Save and Validate

  • After adding the record at your domain registrar, return to Recur and click Save.

  • Validation: Click the Validate DNS button.

  • Status Indicators:

    • Red/Failed: This is normal if you just added the record; DNS changes can take time to propagate.

    • Green/Success: Your domain is properly connected and live.

Cautionary Notes

  • Propagation Time: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. If validation fails immediately, wait a few hours and try again.

  • Subdomain Consistency: Ensure the "Host" value you enter in your registrar matches exactly what you typed into Recur. Using www as the host will point your main site, while using test will point a specific subdomain.

  • SSL Security: Recur typically handles the SSL certificate (HTTPS) once the domain is validated, ensuring your site remains secure.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Copy and Paste: Always use the "Copy" function in Recur for the DNS values to avoid typos, which are the most common cause of validation failure.

  • One-Step Validation: Check your DNS propagation status using external tools like whatsmydns.net to see if your new CNAME record is visible globally before clicking "Validate" in Recur.

  • Branding: Using a subdomain like members.yourassociation.com is a professional way to separate your member portal from your primary marketing website.

Link to Video

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