How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Profile

Overview

A custom domain allows you to use your own domain name (like yourname.com) instead of the default NerdyTag URL for your profile.

Benefits of Custom Domains

• Professional Branding: Use your own domain for a more professional appearance
• Easy to Remember: Share a simple, branded URL with your audience
• Automatic SSL: Free SSL certificate automatically provisioned
• Full Control: Keep your domain even if you change services

Requirements

What You Need

Setting Up Your Domain

Step-by-Step Setup Process

1. Navigate to Dashboard → Settings → Custom Domain
2. Enter your domain name in the format:
   • example.com (root domain)
   • www.example.com (with www)
   • profile.example.com (subdomain)
3. Click Setup Domain
4. You'll receive DNS configuration instructions
5. Configure your DNS records (detailed below)
6. Wait for verification (usually 5-30 minutes)

DNS Configuration

You'll need to add DNS records at your domain provider (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.) to connect your domain.

CNAME Record (Required)

The CNAME record points your domain to your NerdyTag profile.

CNAME Record Details

How to Add CNAME Record

1. Log in to your domain provider's dashboard
2. Find DNS Settings, DNS Management, or Zone File
3. Click "Add Record" or similar button
4. Select CNAME as the record type
5. Enter the Name/Host (@ or www)
6. Enter the Value/Target (copy from NerdyTag setup page)
7. Save the record

TXT Validation Records (Required)

TXT records verify domain ownership and enable SSL certificate provisioning.

Why TXT Records?

• Domain Verification: Proves you own the domain
• SSL Certificate: Required for automatic SSL provisioning
• Security: Ensures only authorized users can connect domains

How to Add TXT Records

1. After setting up your domain, you'll see one or more TXT records
2. Go to your domain provider's DNS settings
3. For each TXT record shown:
   • Click "Add Record"
   • Select TXT as the type
   • Copy the Name exactly as shown
   • Copy the Value exactly as shown
   • Save the record
4. Add all TXT records shown in your setup instructions

Common DNS Provider Notes

Domain Verification

Verification Process

After adding your DNS records, NerdyTag will automatically verify your domain.

Automatic Checking

• NerdyTag automatically checks your domain every 60 seconds
• You'll see a countdown timer showing when the next check occurs
• Status updates happen automatically when verification succeeds

Manual Checking

You can manually check your domain status at any time:

1. Go to Settings → Custom Domain
2. Click the Check Status button
3. View the current verification status

Verification Statuses

DNS Propagation Time

• Typical: 5-30 minutes for most changes
• Maximum: Up to 48 hours in rare cases
• Factors: Provider, TTL settings, and DNS cache

SSL Certificate

SSL certificates encrypt the connection between visitors and your profile, enabling HTTPS.

Automatic SSL Provisioning

• Free & Automatic: SSL certificates are provided at no cost
• Powered by Cloudflare: Industry-standard SSL certificates
• Auto-Renewal: Certificates automatically renew before expiration
• No Configuration: Everything happens automatically after verification

SSL Timeline

1. Domain is verified (DNS records correct)
2. SSL certificate request is automatically initiated
3. Certificate is provisioned (5-30 minutes typically)
4. Your domain becomes active with HTTPS

Managing Your Domain

Viewing Domain Status

Monitor your custom domain from the Custom Domain settings page:

• Domain Status: Verified or Pending
• SSL Status: Active, Pending, or Processing
• Auto-Check Timer: Countdown to next automatic check
• DNS Configuration: View required records at any time

Changing Your Domain

To use a different domain:

1. Remove your current domain
2. Set up the new domain
3. Configure DNS for the new domain
4. Wait for verification

Removing a Domain

1. Go to Settings → Custom Domain
2. Click Remove Domain
3. Confirm the removal
4. Your profile reverts to the default NerdyTag URL

Domain Provider Guides

Quick guides for popular domain providers.

GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy
2. Go to My Products → Domains
3. Click DNS next to your domain
4. Click Add for new records
5. For CNAME: Type = CNAME, Name = @ or www, Value = your NerdyTag subdomain
6. For TXT: Type = TXT, Name = (as shown), Value = (as shown)

Namecheap

1. Log in to Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List → Manage
3. Click Advanced DNS
4. Click Add New Record
5. Select CNAME or TXT Record
6. Fill in Host, Value as shown in NerdyTag

Cloudflare

1. Log in to Cloudflare
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS
4. Click Add Record
5. Select CNAME or TXT
6. Important: Click the orange cloud to turn it gray (DNS only mode)

Google Domains

1. Log in to Google Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Click DNS in the left menu
4. Scroll to Custom Records
5. Delete any existing A records for the same hostname
6. Add CNAME and TXT records as shown

Troubleshooting

Domain Not Verifying?

• ✓ Verify DNS records are exactly as shown (check for typos)
• ✓ Wait at least 30 minutes for DNS propagation
• ✓ Remove any existing A or AAAA records for the same hostname
• ✓ Ensure CNAME target ends with .nerdyt.ag
• ✓ Check that all TXT records are added correctly

SSL Certificate Not Active?

• ✓ Ensure domain is verified first (green checkmark)
• ✓ Wait up to 30 minutes for SSL provisioning
• ✓ Check that all TXT validation records are present
• ✓ Try clicking "Check Status" to refresh

Common Error Messages

Cloudflare-Specific Issues

• ✓ Disable "Proxy" mode (orange cloud → gray cloud)
• ✓ Set SSL/TLS mode to "Full" or "Full (Strict)"
• ✓ Disable "Always Use HTTPS" during initial setup

Testing Your Domain

Use these tools to verify your DNS configuration:

• DNS Checker: whatsmydns.net
• DNS Lookup: nslookup.io
• Command Line: nslookup yourdomain.com

Still Having Issues?