Skip to main content

Custom Domains

Connect your own domain for a professional web address.

Overview​

Default: myapp.instroc.app Custom: www.yourdomain.com

Custom domains are available on Pro and Team plans.

Setup Process​

Step 1: Add Your Domain​

  1. Open your project in INSTROC
  2. Click Publish → Settings
  3. Click Add Custom Domain
  4. Enter your domain (e.g., www.example.com)

Step 2: Configure DNS​

Add the provided DNS records at your domain registrar.

For subdomains (www, app, blog):

TypeNameValueTTL
CNAMEwwwcustomers.instroc.appAuto

For apex domains (example.com):

TypeNameValueTTL
A@66.51.124.51Auto

Step 3: Verify​

  1. Click Verify in INSTROC
  2. Wait for DNS propagation (5 min - 48 hours)
  3. SSL certificate is provisioned automatically

Step 4: Deploy​

Click Deploy to publish to your custom domain.

Domain Types​

Apex Domain (Root)​

The bare domain without www:

  • example.com
  • mysite.io

Setup: Add an A record pointing to our IP.

Subdomain​

A prefix before your domain:

  • www.example.com
  • app.example.com
  • docs.example.com

Setup: Add a CNAME record pointing to customers.instroc.app.

WWW vs Non-WWW​

Recommendation: Use WWW​

www.example.com is recommended because:

  • Better CDN compatibility
  • Easier DNS management
  • Industry standard

Redirects​

INSTROC can redirect:

  • example.com → www.example.com
  • Or www.example.com → example.com

Configure in domain settings.

Registrar Instructions​

Namecheap​

  1. Log in to Namecheap
  2. Click Domain List → Manage
  3. Go to Advanced DNS
  4. Click Add New Record
  5. Enter the values and save

GoDaddy​

  1. Log in to GoDaddy
  2. Click My Products
  3. Click DNS next to your domain
  4. Click Add
  5. Enter the values and save

Cloudflare​

  1. Log in to Cloudflare
  2. Select your domain
  3. Go to DNS
  4. Click Add Record
  5. Enter the values
  6. Set proxy status to DNS only (gray cloud)
warning

Keep Cloudflare proxy OFF initially. You can enable it after verification.

Google Domains / Squarespace​

  1. Log in to Google Domains
  2. Select your domain
  3. Go to DNS
  4. Under Custom Records, click Manage
  5. Add the records

Porkbun​

  1. Log in to Porkbun
  2. Click DNS next to your domain
  3. Add the records

SSL Certificates​

Automatic SSL​

INSTROC automatically:

  • Provisions Let's Encrypt certificate
  • Renews before expiration
  • Enables HTTPS

SSL Status​

StatusMeaning
PendingCertificate being provisioned
ActiveHTTPS is working
RenewingCertificate auto-renewing
ErrorCheck DNS configuration

Troubleshooting SSL​

Certificate not provisioning:

  1. Verify DNS records are correct
  2. Disable any proxy (Cloudflare, etc.)
  3. Wait up to 24 hours
  4. Contact support if still failing

Multiple Domains​

Connect multiple domains to one project:

  1. Primary domain: Used for SEO, canonical URLs
  2. Additional domains: Redirect to primary

Add Another Domain​

  1. Go to domain settings
  2. Click Add Another Domain
  3. Configure DNS
  4. Set redirect behavior

Redirect Options​

  • 301 Redirect - Permanent redirect (recommended)
  • 302 Redirect - Temporary redirect

Removing a Domain​

  1. Go to Publish → Settings
  2. Find your custom domain
  3. Click Remove
  4. Delete DNS records at registrar

Your app stays available at yourapp.instroc.app.

Troubleshooting​

Domain Not Verifying​

DNS not propagated:

Wrong records:

  • Verify type (A vs CNAME)
  • Check for typos
  • Remove conflicting records

Proxy enabled:

  • Disable Cloudflare proxy
  • Set to "DNS only"

Site Not Loading​

Browser cache:

  • Hard refresh: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R
  • Try incognito/private mode
  • Clear browser cache

DNS cache:

  • Flush local DNS
  • Wait for TTL to expire

SSL Errors​

Mixed content:

  • Update http:// URLs to https://
  • Check external resources

Certificate expired:

  • Usually auto-renews
  • Contact support if stuck

Best Practices​

Use Consistent URLs​

Pick www or non-www and stick with it:

✅ https://www.example.com
❌ https://example.com (redirect this)

Set Up Redirects​

Always redirect the alternate version:

example.com → www.example.com (301)

Monitor Expiration​

  • Enable auto-renewal on your domain
  • Set calendar reminders
  • Update payment info

Document DNS Settings​

Keep a record of your DNS configuration for reference.