Connecting a domain to GoHighLevel takes about ten minutes when you know which records to add, and a lot longer when a wrong record takes down your existing website or email. This guide covers the plan to choose first, the DNS records, step-by-step setup at common providers, SSL, and what to check when it won't connect.
1. Decide first: root domain or subdomain?
| Option | Example | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Subdomain (recommended) | offers.yourbusiness.com, book.yourbusiness.com | You already have a website elsewhere (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace) and want GoHighLevel funnels alongside it |
| Root domain | yourbusiness.com | Your whole website will live in GoHighLevel |
| Separate domain | yourbusinessoffers.com | Campaigns you want kept apart from the main brand |
A subdomain is the safest choice: your main website and email aren't touched at all. Not sure whether the website itself should move? See GoHighLevel website builder vs a custom website.
2. The DNS records
HighLevel's help docs give these values:
| Connecting | Type | Host / name | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| A subdomain | CNAME | e.g. offers or www | sites.ludicrous.cloud |
| The root domain | A | @ | 162.159.140.166 |
Always check HighLevel's current domain help article before you change anything, because values can change. And never touch your MX records: they control your email, and GoHighLevel website domains don't need them.
3. Step by step
- In the sub-account, go to Settings → Domains and add the domain or subdomain.
- GoHighLevel shows the records to add. For some DNS providers it can add them for you after you log in to the provider; otherwise add them manually.
- At your DNS provider, delete any existing A or CNAME record for the same host (for example an old
wwwrecord), then add the new one. - Back in GoHighLevel, click verify. It can take from minutes to a few hours for DNS to update.
- Link the domain to the right funnel or website, set a default page for the bare domain, and pick a 404 page.
- Open the domain in a private window and check the page loads over https.
4. Where to add records at common providers
- GoDaddy: My Products → your domain → DNS → Add new record.
- Namecheap: Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS → Add new record.
- Cloudflare: your site → DNS → Records → Add record. Set the record to DNS only (grey cloud) if the domain won't verify or SSL stays pending, because the proxy can interfere.
- Squarespace or Wix domains: domain settings → DNS settings → add a custom record.
- Hostinger, Bluehost and other hosts: look for the DNS Zone Editor.
Add records where your domain's nameservers point, which isn't always where you bought it. If you bought at GoDaddy but use Cloudflare's nameservers, records added at GoDaddy do nothing. A free lookup tool such as a DNS checker shows your current nameservers.
5. www and the root domain
People type both yourbusiness.com and www.yourbusiness.com. If the whole site is in GoHighLevel, connect both and redirect one to the other, so visitors and Google always land on one version.
6. SSL (the padlock)
HighLevel issues the SSL certificate automatically once the domain is connected. It usually takes minutes. If it's still pending after a few hours, the record is usually wrong, an old record is conflicting, or a Cloudflare proxy is on.
7. Your email sending domain is separate
Connecting a domain for funnels doesn't set up email. For email sent from GoHighLevel, set up a dedicated sending subdomain with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, or your emails are more likely to land in spam. The full setup is in why GoHighLevel emails go to spam.
8. It won't connect: quick fixes
- Old records still there: delete every other A or CNAME record for the same host.
- Records at the wrong provider: check the nameservers (section 4).
- Typo in the value or an extra dot or space.
- Host field filled in wrong: some providers want
offers, othersoffers.yourbusiness.com. Follow your provider's format. - Domain already used in another sub-account: remove it there first; each domain or subdomain can only be connected to one place.
- Just added: wait. DNS can take a few hours to update everywhere.
Connected but showing a 404? That's a different problem: see fixing GoHighLevel 404 errors.
9. For agencies
- Give each client sub-account its own subdomain, such as
go.clientbusiness.com. - Keep a simple record of which domain is connected to which sub-account and funnel.
- Your white-label app domain (for example
app.youragency.com) is set up in agency settings, separately from client funnel domains. Use the values shown there.
Want it connected for you?
I'm Arslan Mumtaz, a software engineer who sets up GoHighLevel domains, websites and email authentication without breaking what's already working. Most domain setups take under an hour at $20/hr. See pricing or book a free call.
Frequently asked questions
What DNS records does GoHighLevel need?
Per HighLevel's help docs: a CNAME record pointing to sites.ludicrous.cloud for a subdomain such as offers or www, or an A record pointing to 162.159.140.166 for the root domain. Check HighLevel's current domain article before changing records, as values can change.
Will connecting a domain to GoHighLevel break my email?
Not if you only add the A or CNAME record for the website. Email is controlled by MX records, which you shouldn't change. Using a subdomain such as offers.yourbusiness.com leaves your main website and email untouched.
Why won't my domain verify in GoHighLevel?
Usually an old A or CNAME record for the same host is still there, the records were added at a provider your nameservers don't point to, the host or value has a typo, Cloudflare's proxy is on, or DNS simply hasn't updated yet.