Connecting a custom domain in Framer is one of the fastest credibility upgrades you can make. A site on yourname.framer.website looks like a test project. The same site on yourname.com looks like a real business. This Framer custom domain setup guide covers both paths: claiming a free domain through Framer's Hover partnership, or connecting a domain you already own.
We design Framer templates, and the first thing we tell buyers after customization is to connect their own domain before launching. It affects everything: email credibility, social shares, SEO authority, and ad quality scores. This guide walks through the full Framer domain setup, from plan requirements to DNS records to troubleshooting.
If you are still building the site itself, our Framer CMS tutorial and template customization guide will help you finish the content side before you point the domain.
Does Framer custom domain setup require a paid plan?
Yes. Framer's Free plan does not support custom domains. You need at least a Basic plan to connect a domain you own or claim a free domain through Framer's yearly plan offer. If you are on the Free plan, the Domains tab will prompt you to upgrade before you can proceed.
This is the first decision to make. If you already own a domain, upgrade to any paid plan and connect it. If you do not own a domain, Framer offers a free first-year domain when you purchase a yearly plan through its Hover partnership.
Option 1: Claim a free domain through Framer and Hover
Framer partners with Hover to offer a free or discounted domain for the first year when you upgrade to a yearly plan. This is the easiest Framer domain setup path because the DNS connection happens automatically.
- Upgrade your Framer site to a yearly paid plan.
- Go to Site Settings, then Domains.
- Select Claim a free custom domain.
- Search for your preferred domain name.
- Complete the registration through Hover.
- Return to Framer. The domain should connect automatically after DNS propagates.
Keep in mind that this offer is limited to one domain per subscription, only applies to yearly plans, and renews at Hover's standard rate after the first year. You also cannot request a refund on the Framer plan after redeeming the domain offer.
Option 2: Connect a domain you already own
If you bought your domain from Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, or another registrar, you connect it manually. The process is the same for most registrars; only the DNS panel layout changes.
- In Framer, go to Site Settings, then Domains.
- Click Connect a domain you own.
- Enter your root domain, such as
yourname.com. - Framer will display the DNS records you need to add.
- Log into your domain registrar and open the DNS management panel.
- Add the records Framer provided.
- Return to Framer and click Verify.
- Wait for DNS propagation, which can take up to 48 hours but is usually much faster.
Framer provides registrar-specific guides for Namecheap, GoDaddy, Ionos, Gandi, Cloudflare, and Porkbun if you need step-by-step screenshots.
How to configure apex domain DNS records
For a root domain like yourname.com, Framer typically asks for two A records and one CNAME record. The exact values are shown in your Domains tab, but they generally look like this:
| Name | Type | Value |
| @ | A | Framer-provided IPv4 address |
| @ | A | Framer-provided IPv4 address |
| www | CNAME | sites.framer.app |
The @ symbol represents the root domain. Some registrars use a blank name field or yourname.com instead of @. The CNAME for www redirects visitors who type www.yourname.com to your Framer site.
Important: remove any existing A or AAAA records for the root domain before adding Framer's records. Conflicting DNS records are the most common reason a Framer custom domain fails to connect.
How to configure a subdomain in Framer
If you want to host your Framer site on a subdomain like blog.yourname.com or landing.yourname.com, the DNS setup is simpler. You only need one CNAME record.
- In Framer, enter the full subdomain when connecting the domain.
- In your registrar's DNS panel, add a CNAME record.
- Set the Name field to the subdomain part, such as
blogorlanding. - Set the Value field to
sites.framer.app.
Some DNS providers require a trailing dot, so the value may need to be sites.framer.app. with a period at the end. Check your registrar's documentation if the connection does not verify.
How to verify your Framer custom domain connection
After adding the DNS records, return to Framer and click the verify button in the Domains tab. Framer will check whether the records are correct. If they are, you will see a success message and the option to set the domain as primary.
Set your custom domain as the primary domain. This ensures that all visitors and search engines see the custom URL rather than the Framer subdomain. Framer will issue an SSL certificate automatically, so your site loads over HTTPS.
Common Framer domain issues and fixes
Most Framer custom domain problems fall into a few categories.
DNS has not propagated yet. Even if Framer shows the records as correct, global DNS can take hours to update. Wait up to 48 hours before panicking.
Conflicting records exist. Old A records, AAAA records, or CNAME records from a previous host can block Framer's connection. Delete any records that point the root domain or www elsewhere.
The domain is not set to primary. After verification, you must click the option to make the custom domain the primary URL. Otherwise, visitors may still see the Framer subdomain.
HTTPS is not loading. SSL certificates are issued automatically, but they can take a few minutes. If HTTPS does not work after an hour, disconnect and reconnect the domain.
The registrar uses a proxy service. If your DNS runs through Cloudflare's proxy, you may need to set the record to DNS-only mode temporarily while Framer verifies the connection.
Frequently asked questions
Can you connect a custom domain on Framer's Free plan?
No. Framer requires a paid plan to connect a custom domain. The Free plan only allows a Framer subdomain. To use your own domain, upgrade to Basic or higher.
How long does Framer domain setup take?
The Framer side takes a few minutes. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, though it often completes within a few hours. If your records are correct and there are no conflicts, most domains connect within an hour.
Does Framer provide free SSL with a custom domain?
Yes. Framer automatically provisions and renews SSL certificates for connected custom domains. Your site will load over HTTPS without any manual certificate setup.
A custom domain is the fastest credibility upgrade
A Framer custom domain setup is not optional for a serious site. It takes your project from looking like a prototype to looking like a business, and it is required for SEO authority, professional email, and trustworthy social sharing.
The process is simple: upgrade to a paid plan, add the DNS records, verify the connection, and set the domain as primary. If you run into issues, the usual culprits are conflicting DNS records or impatient timing.
Once the domain is connected, move on to the next launch steps. Our Framer SEO checklist covers metadata, sitemaps, and indexing. If you want to add a newsletter popup or modal, our Framer popup tutorial shows how. And if you are still choosing a starting design, browse our Framer templates for structures that already work with custom domains and clean SEO.
