Custom domains
Connect your own domain name to a YWT-hosted static site with automatic HTTPS.
Custom domains
Every site on YWT hosting has a default subdomain.ywt.app hostname. If your hosting plan supports custom domains, you can connect a domain you own so visitors reach your content at an address like example.ch or www.example.ch.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A YWT-hosted site already created. If you have not created one yet, see Create a site.
- A registered domain name. You can register a
.chor.lidomain through YWT or use a domain from any other registrar. - A hosting plan with custom-domain capacity.
- Access to your domain's DNS settings. If your domain is registered at YWT and uses YWT nameservers, DNS management is built in. If DNS is hosted elsewhere, log in to that DNS provider's control panel.
Adding a custom domain
Open the site's Domains page
Go to Website hosting in the account sidebar, click your site, then open the Domains page.
Add your domain
Click the Add domain button. In the dialog that appears, enter the domain name you want to connect (e.g., www.example.ch).
Verify ownership
After adding the domain, YWT displays a TXT record used to prove that you control the hostname.
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| TXT | _ywt-challenge.example.ch | verification token shown in YWT |
Add this TXT record wherever the domain's DNS is managed. If your domain is registered at YWT and uses YWT nameservers, you can add it in DNS management. If the domain uses another DNS provider, add it in that provider's DNS panel.
Point the domain to YWT
YWT also shows the traffic record required for the hostname.
| Hostname type | Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Apex domain, e.g. example.ch | A | @ | 162.55.181.224 |
Subdomain, e.g. www.example.ch | CNAME | www | router.ywt.ch |
Use the exact record shown in your YWT account. Apex domains and subdomains use different DNS record types.
Wait for verification
YWT periodically checks whether your DNS records are correctly configured. This usually takes a few minutes, but DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours depending on your registrar and existing TTL values.
The domain status on the site's Domains page will update from Pending to Active once verification succeeds.
Confirm your site is accessible
Once the domain shows as Active, visit it in your browser (e.g., https://www.example.ch). You should see your hosted site.
Automatic HTTPS / SSL
YWT automatically provisions and renews an SSL/TLS certificate for every active custom domain at the YWT edge. You do not need to purchase, upload, or configure certificates yourself.
After ownership and DNS are verified, an SSL certificate is provisioned automatically. Once the certificate is active:
- Your site is accessible over
https://. - HTTP requests are automatically redirected to HTTPS.
- The certificate renews automatically before it expires.
Connecting multiple domains
You can connect more than one custom domain to the same site. For example, you might want both blog.example.ch and www.example.ch to point to your site. Simply repeat the steps above for each domain.
Primary domains and removal
When multiple custom domains are connected, the Domains page lets you choose which one is primary for the site. Removing a custom domain disconnects that hostname from the site but leaves the site itself and other domains unchanged.
To disconnect a domain from your site:
- Go to the site's Domains page.
- Click the Remove button next to the domain.
- The domain will be disconnected immediately. Visitors using that domain will no longer reach your site.
Remember to also remove or update the DNS records at your registrar if you no longer want them pointing to YWT.
Removing a custom domain does not affect your site itself. Your site remains available at its subdomain.ywt.app hostname and any other connected domains.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Domain stuck on Pending | Confirm both records shown in YWT exist: the _ywt-challenge TXT record and either the apex A record or subdomain CNAME. Allow time for DNS propagation. |
| Site shows but no HTTPS | Clear your browser cache or try an incognito window. The certificate may have been issued after your first visit. |
| Domain shows someone else's site | Ensure your DNS records point to the correct value shown in YWT, not to another hosting provider. |
Next steps
- Manage DNS records for domains registered at YWT.
- Learn about preview URLs for sharing specific deployments.
- Deploy your site after verifying your custom domain works.