Vercel Custom Domain Setup: Complete Guide for GoDaddy, Hostinger & Google Domains

Are you looking to add a professional touch to your Vercel - hosted project with a custom domain?

Whether you’ve purchased your domain from GoDaddy, Hostinger, Google Domains, or any other registrar, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have your custom domain properly configured and secured with HTTPS.

What You’ll Learn

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:

How to connect any domain to your Vercel project
Step-by-step DNS configuration for major providers
Setting up both www and non-www domains
Securing your site with free HTTPS
Resolving common domain issues

Before You Start

Requirements Checklist

✅ A Vercel account with a deployed project
✅ A registered domain name
✅ Access to your domain provider’s dashboard
✅ Basic understanding of DNS (helpful but not required)

Supported Domain Types

Root domains (example.com)
WWW subdomains (www.example.com)
Custom subdomains (blog.example.com)
Multiple domains per project

Domain Configuration Steps

1. Initial Vercel Setup

# Add domain in Vercel dashboard
Settings → Domains → Add Domain → Enter your domain name

2. Basic DNS Configuration

# Root Domain (example.com)
Type: A
Name: @
Value: 76.76.21.21

# WWW Subdomain
Type: CNAME
Name: www
Value: cname.vercel-dns.com

Provider-Specific Instructions

GoDaddy Domain Setup

Access DNS Management
```
My Products → DNS → Manage DNS
```

Configure Records

Add Record → Type: A
Host: @
Points to: 76.76.21.21
TTL: 600

Add WWW Record

Add Record → Type: CNAME
Host: www
Points to: cname.vercel-dns.com
TTL: 600

Hostinger Setup Process

Open DNS Zone Editor
```
Domains → Manage → DNS Zone
```

Add Required Records

A Record:
Type: A
Name: @
Content: 76.76.21.21

CNAME Record:
Type: CNAME
Name: www
Content: cname.vercel-dns.com

Google Domains Configuration

Access DNS Settings
```
DNS → Manage Custom Records
```

Create DNS Entries

Root Domain:
Type: A
Host: @
Data: 76.76.21.21
TTL: 1h

WWW Config:
Type: CNAME
Host: www
Data: cname.vercel-dns.com
TTL: 1h

HTTPS Setup Guide

Automatic SSL Configuration

Vercel handles SSL automatically
Certificate provisioning begins after DNS verification
HTTPS becomes active within minutes

Verification Steps

Check domain status in Vercel dashboard
Verify SSL certificate in browser
Test both HTTP and HTTPS access

Common Issues & Solutions

1. DNS Propagation Issues

Symptom: Domain not working immediately
Solution: Wait 15-30 minutes (up to 48 hours maximum)
Verification: Use dig or online DNS checker

2. HTTPS Problems

Symptom: SSL certificate not active
Solution: Verify DNS records and wait
Check: Use SSL checker tools

3. Domain Conflicts

Symptom: Domain verification failed
Solution: Remove conflicting DNS records
Prevention: Audit existing DNS settings

Expert Tips & Best Practices

1. Domain Management

Use consistent TTL values
Document all DNS changes
Regular backup of DNS settings

2. Performance Optimization

Enable Vercel’s CDN
Configure proper redirects
Monitor domain health

3. Security Best Practices

Enable HSTS after HTTPS verification
Regular SSL certificate monitoring
Implement security headers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long until my domain works with Vercel?
A: Usually 5-30 minutes after DNS configuration.

Q: Do I need to pay for HTTPS?
A: No, Vercel provides free SSL certificates.

Q: Can I use multiple domains?
A: Yes, Vercel supports multiple domains per project.

Next Steps

After setting up your domain:

Test all domain variations (www and non-www)
Verify HTTPS functionality
Set up domain monitoring
Configure additional security measures

Conclusion

Setting up a custom domain with Vercel is straightforward when you follow these steps. Remember to:

Double-check DNS records
Allow time for propagation
Verify HTTPS setup
Monitor domain health

Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide for future reference when setting up additional domains with Vercel.