How to Set Up a Custom Domain on FolderPress

Your domain is your brand. Here’s how to make it yours.

Your FolderPress site starts at yoursite.folderpress.com. When you’re ready, you can point your own domain — yourdomain.com — to your blog. The setup takes a few DNS changes, then a wait for propagation.

#What You Need

• A FolderPress site (already set up and working — see Start a Markdown Blog if you haven’t done this yet)
• A domain you own (from any registrar — Namecheap, Cloudflare, Squarespace Domains, etc.)
• Access to your domain’s DNS settings

#Step 1: Add the Domain in FolderPress

1. Open the FolderPress dashboard
2. Go to your site’s settings
3. Find the “Custom domain” section
4. Enter your domain: yourdomain.com
5. Save

FolderPress now knows to serve your site when requests arrive for that domain.

#Step 2: Configure DNS

You need to add a DNS record that points your domain to FolderPress. The type of record depends on whether you’re using the root domain or a subdomain.

#For a Subdomain (blog.yourdomain.com)

Add a CNAME record:

Replace blog with whatever subdomain you want.

#For a Root Domain (yourdomain.com)

Root domains can’t use CNAME records (technically). Most modern DNS providers support CNAME-like records at the root:

• Cloudflare: CNAME flattening (just add a CNAME at @)
• Namecheap: ALIAS record
• DNS Made Easy: ANAME record

If your DNS provider doesn’t support root CNAME/ALIAS, use a www subdomain instead and set up a redirect from the root.

#Step 3: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes take time to propagate across the internet. Usually this happens in minutes, but it can take up to 48 hours in rare cases.

You can check propagation status with a DNS lookup:

dig yourdomain.com CNAME

Or use an online tool like whatsmydns.net to check from multiple locations.

#Step 4: Verify in FolderPress

Once DNS has propagated, go to your site settings in the FolderPress dashboard. The custom domain status should show as verified.

Visit your domain in a browser. Your FolderPress site should appear.

#Provider-Specific Instructions

#Cloudflare

1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS → Records
4. Click “Add record”
5. Type: CNAME, Name: @ (or your subdomain), Target: cname.folderpress.com
6. Proxy status: DNS only (gray cloud) — important for SSL to work correctly
7. Save

#Namecheap

1. Log in to Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List → Manage
3. Click “Advanced DNS”
4. Add a new record
5. Type: CNAME, Host: @ or subdomain, Value: cname.folderpress.com
6. Save

#Squarespace Domains (formerly Google Domains)

1. Log in to your domain manager
2. Go to DNS settings
3. Scroll to Custom Records
4. Add: Type CNAME, Host: @ or subdomain, Data: cname.folderpress.com
5. Save

#Troubleshooting

#”Domain not yet verified”

DNS hasn’t propagated yet. Wait and check again. Most propagation completes within an hour, but it can take longer depending on your DNS provider and TTL settings.

#Site shows a different website

Your DNS might be pointing somewhere else. Check that no conflicting A records or CNAME records exist for the same domain/subdomain. Remove old records that point to other services.

#SSL/HTTPS not working

FolderPress handles SSL automatically. If you’re using Cloudflare, make sure the proxy is set to “DNS only” (gray cloud). Cloudflare’s orange cloud proxy can interfere with SSL certificate provisioning.

#www vs non-www

Pick one and redirect the other. If your primary is yourdomain.com, add a CNAME for www pointing to cname.folderpress.com as well, or set up a redirect at your DNS provider.

#FAQ

#Does a custom domain cost extra on FolderPress?

No. Custom domains are included. You just need to own the domain (typically $10-15/year from a registrar).

#Can I use a subdomain like blog.mysite.com?

Yes. Subdomains work with a standard CNAME record, which every DNS provider supports.

#Will my folderpress.com subdomain still work?

Yes. Both your custom domain and the .folderpress.com subdomain will serve your site.

#Can I switch domains later?

Yes. Remove the old domain in settings, add the new one, and update your DNS records.

#Do I need to set up SSL/HTTPS?

No. FolderPress handles SSL certificates automatically for custom domains.

A custom domain is the finishing touch. If you’re still exploring how Dropbox becomes a website, start there — then come back here when you’re ready to own the URL too.