What you need before you start
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DNS access at your registrar or DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap). You’ll add records they provide.
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Decide where content will live. A subdomain or root domain can only host pages in one place (HubSpot or another platform). If you currently host pages elsewhere and point that same host to HubSpot, those external links will break—use separate subdomains when you want to split hosting.
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Know your target:
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Subdomain (e.g., www.example.com) connects with CNAME records.
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Root domain (example.com) connects with A records.
Choose the right domain type in HubSpot
- Primary: default host for selected content types (website pages, blog, landing pages, etc.).
- Secondary: can host content but isn’t the default (requires Pro/Enterprise).
- Redirect: cannot host content; permanently redirects to another connected domain. You can still add individual URL redirects.
- Email Sending: authenticates your marketing email infrastructure; separate from “Email” as a content host for web versions/preferences pages.
Step-by-step: connecting the domain in HubSpot
- Go to Settings → Content → Domains & URLs and click Connect a domain.
- Select the domain type and the content types you’ll host on it.
- Enter the domain and confirm subdomain, brand domain, TLD, and primary language.
- Review and adjust the default redirect HubSpot proposes (e.g., root → www or www → root).
- Choose automatic sign-in for supported DNS providers or select manual setup.
- Create the exact DNS records HubSpot shows (Host and Required data) at your provider.
- Click Verify and let HubSpot check for the updates (usually 15–80 minutes). SSL turns on after verification (often minutes, up to 4 hours).
DNS specifics that often trip teams up
- Autofilled domains: some registrars append your domain automatically. If your value already includes .yourdomain.com, remove the duplicate suffix to avoid invalid records.
- Root vs subdomain: use A records for root domains; CNAME for subdomains like www or blog. Use different subdomains if you’re splitting hosting.
Make it primary (optional)
If you connected a domain and want it to be the default for a content type, go to Domains & URLs → Primary domains, open Edit for that content type, and Replace primary domain with your new one.
After verification: SSL & content types
- SSL: turns on automatically after verification; if your domain is longer than 64 characters (subdomain + domain + TLD), standard SSL won’t apply—ask HubSpot about custom SSL.
- You can later add or remove content types hosted on any connected domain from Domains & URLs → Edit → Connect domain with more content types.
Common scenarios
- Move your site to HubSpot: point www to HubSpot and (optionally) redirect the root to www in the setup flow.
- Only blog on HubSpot: connect blog.example.com as a primary (for the Blog content type) while leaving your main site elsewhere.
- Brand/campaign microsite: connect events.example.com as a secondary if you don’t want to change your current primary host.
You’re ready to launch
With DNS access and the right domain type selected, HubSpot’s guided flow makes the connection straightforward. Plan your subdomains carefully, create the records exactly as shown, allow time for verification and SSL, and then publish confidently on your domain.
Reference: HubSpot Knowledge Base — Connect a domain to HubSpot