How to set up custom domain on HubSpot

intermediate 12 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Setting up a custom domain on HubSpot involves adding your domain in the HubSpot settings, configuring DNS records with your domain provider, and verifying the connection. This process typically takes 24-48 hours to fully propagate and requires administrator access to both HubSpot and your domain registrar.

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Prerequisites

HubSpot Marketing Hub Professional or Enterprise account
Access to your domain registrar's DNS settings
Administrator permissions in HubSpot
Domain ownership verification capability

Step-by-Step Instructions

Navigate to Domain Settings

Log into your HubSpot account and click the Settings gear icon in the top navigation bar. In the left sidebar, under Website, select Domains & URLs. Click the Connect a domain button to begin the setup process.

Ensure you're logged in with an administrator account to access domain settings.

Choose Domain Type and Enter Domain

Select Primary domain if this will be your main website domain, or Secondary domain for redirects. Enter your custom domain in the format www.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com. Click Next to proceed to DNS configuration.

Consider using the www version as your primary domain for better compatibility with HubSpot's CDN.

Copy DNS Records

HubSpot will display the required DNS records. Copy the CNAME record that points your domain to HubSpot's servers. The record will look like:
CNAME www [unique-id].sites.hubspot.net
Also note any A records if you're connecting a root domain.

Take a screenshot of these DNS records as you'll need them in the next step.

Configure DNS at Your Domain Registrar

Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and navigate to DNS Management or DNS Records. Add the CNAME record provided by HubSpot. If connecting a root domain, add the A records as well. Remove any conflicting existing records that point to other servers.

DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate worldwide, though they often work within a few hours.

Verify Domain Connection

Return to HubSpot and click Verify on the domain setup page. HubSpot will check if the DNS records are properly configured. If successful, you'll see a green checkmark and Connected status. If not, wait a few hours and try again.

Use online DNS lookup tools to verify your records are propagating correctly before clicking verify.

Enable SSL Certificate

Once your domain is connected, HubSpot will automatically provision an SSL certificate. In the Domains & URLs section, ensure SSL enabled shows as Active. This may take 15-30 minutes after domain verification.

Set as Primary Domain

If this is your main website domain, click the Actions dropdown next to your domain and select Set as primary. Configure any redirect settings for your old domain if applicable. Test your website by visiting your custom domain to ensure everything loads correctly.

Set up 301 redirects from your old domain to maintain SEO rankings.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Domain verification fails with DNS error

Double-check that your CNAME record exactly matches what HubSpot provided. Remove any existing A or CNAME records that conflict. Wait 24-48 hours for DNS propagation and try verification again.

SSL certificate won't activate

Ensure your domain is fully verified first. Check that your DNS records don't include a CAA record that blocks HubSpot's SSL provider. Contact HubSpot support if SSL remains inactive after 2 hours of domain verification.

Website loads but shows HubSpot branding

Verify you have a Marketing Hub Professional or Enterprise account, as custom domains aren't available on Starter plans. Check that you've published your website pages and set the correct primary domain in settings.

Old domain still shows in search results

Set up 301 redirects from your old domain to the new custom domain. Update your Google Search Console property to include the new domain. Submit an updated sitemap with the new domain URLs.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official HubSpot website before purchasing.

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