Setting Up a Root Domain or Subdomain for Your Funnels and Websites

Connecting a root domain or subdomain to Captivation Hub lets you publish Funnels, Websites, Stores, Blogs, and Webinars under your own branded web address. You can connect supported domains automatically with Domain Connect or configure the required DNS records manually. This guide covers everything from setup and DNS configuration to default page settings, domain removal, and common troubleshooting steps.

What Is a Root Domain or Subdomain?

A root domain is the primary web address for a site — for example, example.com. A subdomain adds a prefix to the root domain, such as www.example.com or offers.example.com.

Captivation Hub lets you connect root domains and subdomains to your site content so visitors can access your Funnels, Websites, Stores, Blogs, and Webinars through a branded URL. Depending on your DNS provider, you can use Domain Connect for automatic setup or configure the required DNS records manually.

Key Benefits of Connecting a Root Domain or Subdomain

• Branded Visitor Experience: Publish your content using a domain or subdomain associated with your business.
• Flexible Connection Options: Use Domain Connect when supported, or configure DNS manually when needed.
• Automatic SSL: Captivation Hub provisions SSL after the domain connects successfully.
• Controlled Landing Experience: Choose which Funnel step or Website page loads when visitors open the domain without an additional path.
• Custom Error Handling: Configure a branded 404/error page for visitors who land on an unavailable URL.
• Configuration Reminders: Eligible connected domains can display an Action Required reminder when default-page configuration is incomplete.

Prerequisites and Limitations

Preparing the domain and confirming where its DNS is managed helps prevent connection conflicts and reduces verification delays.

Before you begin:

• You must own or have access to the root domain or subdomain you want to connect.
• You need access to the active DNS provider when manual configuration is required.
• Decide whether visitors should use a root domain (example.com) or a subdomain (www.example.com or offers.example.com).
• If the hostname currently supports another website or service that must remain active, use a different available subdomain instead of repointing it.

Current limitations and behaviors:

• A single hostname cannot point to multiple platforms or servers at the same time.
• Do not create both an A record and a CNAME record for the same hostname.
• If Cloudflare manages the DNS, set the Captivation Hub A or CNAME record to DNS only — not Proxied.
• DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.
• The Action Required reminder appears only in the account where the domain was originally connected.

Note: If you purchased the domain directly through Captivation Hub, you can manage its DNS records from the Purchased Domains area instead of signing in to an external registrar.

How to Set Up a Root Domain or Subdomain

Step 1 — Decide Whether to Use a Root Domain or Subdomain

Choosing the correct hostname before changing DNS helps prevent an existing website or service from being unintentionally replaced.

A root domain uses the primary address: example.com

A subdomain adds a prefix: www.example.com, offers.example.com, go.example.com

Important: If the root domain already hosts another website or service that must remain active, use an available subdomain instead of repointing the root domain.

Step 2 — Start the Domain Connection in Captivation Hub

Starting from the Domains area allows Captivation Hub to identify the type of connection and provide the appropriate automatic or manual DNS workflow.

1. From your account, click Settings.
2. Select Domains & URL Redirects.
3. Click + Connect a domain.
4. Locate Funnel/Website/Store/Blog/Webinar and click Connect.
5. Enter the root domain or subdomain in the Domain URL field.
6. Choose your connection method: Continue (automatic setup) or Add record manually.

When connecting a root domain, Captivation Hub can also add the www version and configure a 301 redirect so traffic from the www address goes to the root domain.

Step 3 — Configure the Domain Automatically or Manually

Automatic Setup with Domain Connect

Domain Connect can authorize a supported DNS provider and automatically create the records required for the connection.

1. Enter the domain and click Continue.
2. If Captivation Hub recognizes a supported provider, click Authorize.
3. Sign in to the domain provider when prompted.
4. Approve the requested DNS connection.
5. After authorization is complete, close the provider tab and return to Captivation Hub.
6. Allow Captivation Hub to verify the DNS configuration.

Manual DNS Setup

Manual setup lets you add the required record directly at the provider managing the domain's DNS.

1. Enter the domain and click Add record manually.
2. Sign in to the provider managing the domain's active DNS.
3. Add one of the supported records shown below.

Important: Use an A record or CNAME for the hostname — not both. If you use Cloudflare, set the record to DNS only.

Step 4 — Associate the Domain With Your Site Content

Associating the verified domain tells Captivation Hub which Funnel or Website content should load when visitors use that address.

1. Wait for Captivation Hub to verify the required DNS record.
2. On the domain association screen, select the applicable Funnel or Website.
3. Select the Funnel step or Website page that should act as the default landing page.
4. Click Link Domain.

Captivation Hub begins provisioning SSL automatically after the domain is connected. SSL can take a few minutes to complete.

Step 5 — Configure the Default Page and 404/Error Page

Default-page settings control what visitors see at the main domain and where they land when they request an invalid URL.

1. Go to Settings → Domains & URL Redirects.
2. Locate the connected domain and click Manage.
3. Review the domain's Connected Products.
4. If an Action Required reminder appears, click it.
5. Select an eligible page from the Default Page dropdown.
6. Select an eligible page from the Default 404/Error Page dropdown.

You can also manage these settings through the existing Edit Domain flow: go to Settings → Domains & URL Redirects, click Manage, open the three-dot menu, select Edit, update the default pages, and click Save.

How to Check Your DNS Records

A public DNS lookup can help confirm whether the expected A or CNAME record has propagated before continuing to troubleshoot the connection.

1. Open a public DNS lookup tool such as MXToolbox.
2. Select the applicable lookup type (DNS or CNAME lookup).
3. Enter the root domain or subdomain you connected.
4. Run the lookup.
5. Confirm that the expected Captivation Hub record is publicly visible: CNAME: sites.ludicrous.cloud or A record: 162.159.140.166.

Note: Recently changed DNS records may not appear immediately. Allow up to 24 hours before assuming the configuration has failed.

How to Remove a Domain

1. Go to Settings → Domains & URL Redirects.
2. Locate the domain and click Manage.
3. Open the three-dot menu.
4. Select Delete.
5. Confirm the deletion in the dialog.

Troubleshooting Domain Connection Issues

Captivation Hub Cannot Find the CNAME or A Record

This error means Captivation Hub cannot detect the expected DNS record for the hostname being connected.

• Confirm which provider hosts the domain's active DNS by checking the nameservers.
• Make sure the DNS record was added at that provider.
• Check whether the hostname already has an A or CNAME record pointing elsewhere.
• Use only one supported record: CNAME → sites.ludicrous.cloud or A record → 162.159.140.166.
• Enter only the hostname portion (e.g. www or offers) in the Host/Name field when required by the provider.
• Save the DNS changes, allow time for propagation, then return to Captivation Hub and retry verification.

The Domain Shows an SSL or Privacy Error

• Remove conflicting A or CNAME records for the hostname.
• Confirm the required Captivation Hub A or CNAME record exists.
• If you use Cloudflare, make sure the record is set to DNS only.
• After correcting DNS, allow time for propagation and SSL provisioning.

A Cloudflare Domain Does Not Connect Correctly

1. Sign in to Cloudflare and open the affected domain.
2. Go to DNS and locate the A or CNAME record used for Captivation Hub.
3. Change Proxy status to DNS only.
4. Save the change, then return to Captivation Hub and retry the connection.

The Domain Sometimes Shows a 404 Page

• Check whether visitors are using both the root and www versions of the domain.
• Configure the appropriate 301 redirect so one version always sends visitors to the other.
• Confirm that the intended Funnel step or Website page is configured as the default page.
• Set up a Default 404/Error Page so invalid paths lead to a branded error experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I add the same domain to more than one account?
Yes. Captivation Hub supports adding the same domain to multiple accounts within the same organization.

Q: How many domains can I add to an account?
There is currently no specified limit on the number of domains you can add.

Q: Do I need to purchase an SSL certificate separately?
No. Captivation Hub automatically provisions SSL after the domain is connected successfully.

Q: Can more than one Funnel or Website use the same domain?
Yes. Multiple Funnels and Websites can use the same domain. Configure the applicable paths and default-page settings so each URL routes visitors correctly.

Q: Can I manually configure DNS instead of using Domain Connect?
Yes. Manual DNS setup is always available if you prefer to manage the records yourself or if your DNS provider does not support automatic Domain Connect.