Publishing Your Site and Connecting a Custom Domain
Ready to go live? Here's how publishing works on AuthorLoft and how to connect a custom domain if you want one.
2-Minute Summary
Publishing your AuthorLoft site makes it publicly visible at your AuthorLoft subdomain immediately. Connecting a custom domain (available on Standard and Premium) points your own domain name at that same site, which takes a few DNS changes and up to 48 hours to propagate.
Why It Matters
A custom domain (yourname.com instead of yourname.authorloft.com) looks more professional, is easier to put on business cards and book back matter, and is fully portable — it is yours regardless of which platform you use.
Benefits of a Custom Domain
- More professional — a branded domain builds more trust than a subdomain
- Easier to remember and share — especially in print, at events, or in interviews
- Portable — you own the domain regardless of which website platform you use
Step-by-Step: Publishing and Connecting a Domain
- Publish your site — one click makes it live at your AuthorLoft subdomain
- Buy a domain — through any registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains, GoDaddy) if you don't already own one
- Add the domain in your AuthorLoft dashboard — Standard and Premium plans support custom domains
- Update your DNS records — AuthorLoft provides the exact records to add at your registrar
- Wait for propagation — typically a few hours, up to 48 hours in rare cases
- Verify SSL is active — AuthorLoft provisions a secure certificate automatically once DNS is verified
Common Mistakes
- Buying a domain from a registrar that makes DNS changes difficult
- Expecting instant propagation — give it time before assuming something is broken
- Forgetting to update social bios and email signatures after switching domains
Examples
An author on the Standard plan publishes at janedoe.authorloft.com, buys janedoe.com from a registrar, adds it in the AuthorLoft dashboard, updates two DNS records, and within a few hours janedoe.com points directly at their AuthorLoft site with SSL active.
Frequently Asked Questions
See below.
How AuthorLoft Helps
AuthorLoft handles SSL provisioning and gives you the exact DNS records to add — no server configuration or technical domain knowledge required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a custom domain to work?
DNS changes typically propagate within a few hours, though it can take up to 48 hours in rare cases.
Do I need to buy my domain through AuthorLoft?
No, you can buy a domain from any registrar such as Namecheap or GoDaddy and connect it to your AuthorLoft site.
Is SSL included with a custom domain?
Yes, AuthorLoft automatically provisions an SSL certificate once your DNS records are verified, at no extra cost.
Which plans support custom domains?
Custom domains are available on the Standard and Premium plans.
Related Articles
· Connect your domain today·
Upgrade to Standard or Premium to connect your own domain, with SSL handled automatically.
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