Connecting a domain to your Caramella site
If you own a domain from a third-party provider (like GoDaddy, Hover, or namecheap) and want to connect it to your site you can do so by following a process called domain mapping. In this process, you'll change a few settings in your registrar's account. After completing these steps, your domain will stay registered with the host that you purchased the domain from, but it will connect to your Caramella site.
➊ Add the domain in Caramella
In the Edit Menu, click Settings, and then click Domains on the left side.
Enter the full domain name you want to connect in the Domain Name field at the top, and then click Add.
➋ View your DNS settings
After adding your domain, a new table will open with the records you need to update in your provider account.
Your domain records may be green or red, depending on what Caramella is seeing from your domain provider.
➌ Log into your domain account
In a new browser tab or window, log into your domain account, and find where you manage your DNS settings. If you can’t find these settings contact your DNS provider for detailed instructions.
Here, you'll create these records so your domain correctly links to your Caramella site.
Don't delete MX records during this process. MX Records connect your email address. Deleting them could interfere with your email service.
➍ Verify ownership
In the first line of your Caramella Domain Settings, copy the unique code that appears directly below the Host column. The unique code is a random string of numbers and letters that must point to verify.caramel.la
In your provider's DNS manager, create a CNAME with these values:
Alias or Host Name
Copy and paste the unique code under Host on the first line.
Type or Record Type
CNAME or CNAME Alias
Points to
verify.caramel.la
If you notice a duplicate domain appear in your Alias or Host section, (like uniquecode.example.com.example.com), add a period to the end of the record's Host value (example.com.). The period prevents your provider from adding anything else to the end of the hostname.
➎ Point the A Records to Caramella
From the second line of your Caramella Domain Settings, you'll see one or more IP addresses in the Required Data column with a record type A. Each of these displays a word or @ sign in the Host column.
Find the area of your DNS settings where you edit your A Records. Create an A Record matching what's shown below.
Host or Host Name
Copy and paste the word or @ sign under Host on the same row
Records, Record Type, or Type
A
Points To or Details
18.203.180.214
If your provider doesn't accept @ as a Host Name, we recommend leaving the Host/Host Name field blank or entering your domain name.
Depending on your provider, you may already have some A Records in place. If so, delete any existing A Records that appear in your Caramella Settings but don’t have Required Data.
➏ Refresh
After changing your records, return to your Caramella Domain Settings, and click the refresh button (↻) at the top.
The Current Data column in the panel will start to update and show if your records are entered correctly. It can take up to 72 hours for this information to process.
➐ Wait and test
If all records are entered correctly, your domain will connect to your site within 24 hours. At times, it can take up to 72 hours. Visit Domain Settings at any time to check your progress.
When the domain is correctly linked it will have a Ready label.
If this is the domain you want to appear in the URL bar whenever someone visits your site, check the toggle switch on the left of the domain name. Your Caramella domain (caramel.la/username) won’t stop working but will redirect to your custom domain.