In this article, we will provide comprehensive information on custom domains and guidance on adding or managing your custom domain. Whether you're looking to set up a new domain or make changes to an existing one, we have the answers to help you navigate the process seamlessly.
What is a Custom Domain?
A custom domain is a unique branded name that identifies a website and appears in the address bar at the top of every browser. For example, learnworlds.com is a custom domain.
Do I have to Purchase a Custom Domain?
When you create your LearnWorlds school, you can use the default LearnWorlds subdomain you have inserted (e.g., yourschool.learnworlds.com). You can purchase and connect a custom domain to your school or continue to use your LearnWorlds subdomain.
Naked domain Vs. Subdomain
A naked domain is a root domain that does not contain a subdomain part and is also known as an apex/base/bare/zone domain. In the DNS provider settings, naked domains are sometimes symbolized by an @ symbol. For example, yourschool.com is a naked domain because it doesn't have a subdomain, whereas www.yourschool.com is not a naked domain because it contains the subdomain www. In other words, the naked domain is the domain you originally purchased without the "www" or any other subdomains.
A subdomain is an additional part that comes before the naked domain. To better organize your site, you can create multiple subdomains or child domains on your main domain. For example, if your naked domain is yourschool.com, you can create two subdomains for www.yourschool.com and academy.yourschool.com.
Can I use my Naked Domain, or should I use only a Subdomain?
You can use both. Subdomains are the most common way to connect your own domain to your school; however, naked domains can also be connected.
How can I Connect my own Domain?
If you want to direct all traffic from an existing site outside of LearnWorlds to your school or you do not want to use the default LearnWorlds subdomain (e.g., yourschool.learnworlds.com or yourschool.mylearnworlds.com), then you can connect your purchased custom domain at the subdomain level (e.g., www.yourschool.com).
In order to connect your purchased domain with your school, you need to follow these steps:
1. Create a CNAME record in your domain provider's settings in order to link your custom domain with your LearnWorlds school.
A Canonical Name (CNAME) record is a type of resource record in the Domain Name System (DNS) that links one domain name (the alias) to another domain name (the canonical name).
2. Request the change in your school's settings. Click here to see all the steps in detail.
How can I use my Naked Domain?
You can also connect your purchased custom domain at the naked level (e.g., yourschool.com). Your naked domain can be connected in two ways:
1. Add A records (to have an SSL certificate issued by us) and request the change in your school's settings. Click here to see the steps.
2. Add a forwarding feature from your naked domain to your subdomain (the naked domain will not have an SSL certificate).
How to use both my Subdomain and Naked Domain?
1. Add a CNAME record and request the domain's change as described here.
2. Add the A records as described here.
3. Request the changes in your school's settings.
The primary domain will be visible in the browser URL, and the secondary domain will redirect users to the primary domain (for example, if you have www.yourschool.com as the primary domain and someone tries to access your secondary domain, yourschool.com, they will be redirected to your primary domain).
We highly recommend using both the naked and the www subdomain for your school.How to change my Custom Domain to a new Custom one?
1. Do not remove your current CNAME or A records. They must remain intact until the process is completed; otherwise, your school will not be reachable.
2. Request the changes in your school's settings.