How to Connect Your Custom Domain to Kajabi: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're serious about creating a professional online business, one of the first things you need to do is connect your custom domain to Kajabi. Having a custom domain, such as www.example.com, rather than a default Kajabi subdomain, not only makes your brand look more professional but also improves your online presence and SEO ranking.

In this tutorial, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about setting up a custom domain in Kajabi. Whether you're entirely new to Kajabi or just looking to optimize your site, this guide will help you connect your domain like a pro.

By the end of this guide, you'll be able to confidently connect your domain to Kajabi and ensure that your online business looks professional and operates smoothly.

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Why a Custom Domain is Important for Your Kajabi Site

Before diving into the steps, let’s talk about why you should prioritize setting up a custom domain:

• Professional Appearance: A custom domain (e.g., www.mariataveras.com) gives your business a polished and credible look compared to a default Kajabi subdomain.
• Brand Consistency: It ensures that your domain name reflects your brand, creating a unified experience for your visitors.
• SEO Benefits: Custom domains can improve your site’s search engine rankings, making it easier for potential clients to find you.
• User-Friendly: Custom domains are easier for your audience to remember and access, leading to higher engagement and return visits.

Now, let’s get started with setting up your custom domain in Kajabi.

Understanding Your Kajabi Domain Options

Default Subdomain: Every Kajabi site comes with a default subdomain (e.g., solusync.mykajabi.com). This is what your site will use unless you decide to connect a custom domain. While the default subdomain is functional, I recommend using a custom domain to enhance your brand’s professional appearance.

Custom Domain: A custom domain (e.g., www.mariataveras.com) is your unique address on the web. Using a custom domain helps your business appear more legitimate and provides a consistent brand experience.

Why You Should Ditch the "mykajabi.com" in Your URL

Using the default Kajabi subdomain like "solusync.mykajabi.com" is fine when you’re starting out, but as you grow, it’s important to switch to a custom domain. This gives your business a unique web address that’s easier to remember and more aligned with your brand.

Setting Up Your Custom Domain in Kajabi

Before you can connect a custom domain to Kajabi, you need to own one. You have two main options for purchasing a domain:

1. Buying a Domain Through Kajabi with IONOS

   Kajabi simplifies the domain purchasing process by partnering with IONOS. Here’s how you can buy your domain directly from Kajabi:

   • Open the Settings tab on your Kajabi Dashboard.
   • Click on Domain.
   • Select Buy custom domain.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase. The domain will be registered through IONOS and will automatically connect to your Kajabi site.

   Note: It might take up to 24 hours for your new domain to be fully functional.

2. Buying a Domain from a Third-Party Registrar

   • Purchase your domain from a provider like GoDaddy, HostGator, or Namecheap, Bluehost or Domain.com.
   • After purchasing, you’ll connect it manually to your Kajabi site.
3.  Connect Your Custom Domain to Kajabi - Automatic Setup

   If Kajabi detects your domain provider, you’ll be guided through a simple process to connect your domain. Here’s how:

   1. Open the Settings tab on your Dashboard.
   2. Click Domain.
   3. Select Set up custom domain.
   4. Enter your domain name (e.g., www.mariataveras.com) and click Continue.
4. Manual Domain Setup (If Required). If your domain provider isn’t automatically detected, follow these steps:
   1. Log in to your domain registrar account and go to the DNS settings.
   2. Replace the existing nameservers with the nameservers provided by Kajabi.
   3. Click Save on your registrar’s site.
   4. Go back to Kajabi and click Done, Let’s Verify Nameservers.

Pro Tip: If you use a webmail service (like Google Workspace or Office 365) with your custom domain, take a screenshot of your original DNS records before making changes. This can prevent disruptions in your email service.

Creating a Subdomain for Kajabi

If you're hosting your main website elsewhere (like WordPress or Wix), you can create a subdomain specifically for your Kajabi site. This is particularly useful if you want to keep your primary domain for other uses while still leveraging Kajabi for your online courses or membership site.

To create a subdomain:

1. Set Up Custom Domain: Go to the Settings tab in Kajabi and click on Domain.
2. Select Create Subdomain: Choose Create subdomain instead.
3. Enter Subdomain: Input a subdomain name (e.g., courses.mariataveras.com).
4. Preview and Continue: Review the preview URL and click Continue.

If your domain provider isn’t automatically detected, you’ll need to update your DNS records manually in your domain registrar’s DNS settings. This typically involves adding a CNAME record pointing to ssl.kajabi.com.

Testing Your Domain Connection

After setting up your custom domain or subdomain, it’s important to test the connection to prevent any issues, particularly with email services.

Step 1: Connection Confirmation

Once you've connected your domain to Kajabi, you should receive an email confirming the successful connection. If you don't receive this email within 24 hours, check your Kajabi Domain Settings to ensure everything is connected correctly.

Step 2: Check Your DNS Settings

After receiving confirmation, double-check your Kajabi DNS settings for any necessary MX records:

1. Access DNS Settings: In your Kajabi dashboard, go to Settings > Domain > DNS Settings.
2. Check MX Records: Ensure that your MX records are correctly listed. If they are, send yourself a test email to verify that your email account is functioning properly.

Managing DNS Settings in Kajabi

After connecting your custom domain, you can manage your DNS settings directly from Kajabi. Here’s how to access and adjust these settings:

1. Access DNS Settings:

   • Go to the Settings tab in your Kajabi dashboard and click Domain.
   • Click on your connected domain to view the DNS records.

2. Add or Edit DNS Records:

   • Use the + Custom Record button to add new records or edit existing ones.
   • You can add various types of records, such as A, CNAME, MX, SRV, and TXT records, depending on your needs.

   Example: If you're using Google Workspace for email, you'll need to add MX records to your DNS settings in Kajabi.

Setting Up a Custom Email Domain

Once your domain is connected to Kajabi, you can take advantage of sending marketing emails from your custom domain. This adds a professional touch to your communications. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Add Custom Domain to Email: Navigate to Email Settings.
2. Set Up Custom Email Domain: Click on Set up custom email domain instead.
3. Input Details: Enter your From name, From email, and optionally, a Reply-to email address.
4. Save: Click Save to apply these settings. Your marketing emails will now be sent from your custom domain.

Note: This feature is only available to paid Kajabi accounts. If you're still on a free trial, you’ll need to upgrade to access this feature.

Troubleshooting Email Issues After Connecting Your Custom Domain

If you've connected your custom domain to Kajabi and suddenly find that your emails aren't sending or receiving, it’s likely a DNS configuration issue. This is common when the necessary MX records, which are responsible for directing your email to the correct mail server, aren’t properly set up.

Understanding the Problem

First, let’s clarify when this issue might arise. If you had a webmail provider (such as Google Workspace or Office 365) before connecting your domain to Kajabi, and you’re now facing email issues, it’s usually because the MX records didn't transfer over correctly. If you didn’t have a webmail provider before, this section may not apply to you.

Webmail providers—like Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail—use MX records to determine where to send your emails. When these records are missing or incorrect, emails can’t find their destination, leading to disruptions in sending and receiving messages.

What Are MX Records?

An MX (Mail Exchange) record tells the internet which mail server to use for your domain. Without it, emails won't reach your inbox. If your MX records are missing or incorrect after connecting your domain to Kajabi, you'll need to manually add them to your DNS settings.

How to Add or Update MX Records

Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding your MX records to Kajabi’s DNS settings:

1. Gather Your MX Record Details:

   • The three essential components you need are:
     • Name (this is usually '@')
     • Mail Server (the server address provided by your email service provider)
     • Priority (a number that indicates the order in which servers should be used; lower numbers are prioritized first)

   For example, if you use Google Workspace, your MX records will look something like this:

   Name	Mail Server	Priority
   @	aspmx.l.google.com	1
   @	alt1.aspmx.l.google.com	5
   @	alt2.aspmx.l.google.com	5
   @	alt3.aspmx.l.google.com	10
   @	alt4.aspmx.l.google.com	10

2. Access Your DNS Settings in Kajabi:

   • Go to Settings > Domain on your Kajabi Dashboard.
   • Click on DNS Settings at the top left corner of your Domain Settings page.

3. Add Your MX Records:

   • Click the + Custom Record button.
   • Select MX Record from the dropdown menu.
   • Enter the Name, Mail Server, and Priority for each record.
   • Save each record before moving on to the next.

4. Wait for Propagation:

   • DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully. Once you’ve added all the necessary MX records, wait a day or two and then test your email to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Testing Your Email Connection

Once your MX records have had time to propagate, it’s important to test your email functionality. Send a few test emails to confirm that everything is working properly. If you're still having issues, double-check that all your records are entered correctly and match the details provided by your email service provider.

If you’re using a different email service provider than Google Workspace, your MX records will be different. Make sure to log in to your email service provider’s account to retrieve the correct records.

Additional Resources

If you need more detailed help with specific email providers, here are some useful resources:

• Google Workspace MX Records Guide
• Microsoft Office 365 DNS Records Guide

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve any issues with sending and receiving emails after connecting your custom domain to Kajabi. Keeping your DNS settings correctly configured is crucial to ensuring smooth operation of your online business.

Managing DNS Records with GoDaddy

If your domain is registered with GoDaddy, here’s how you can manage DNS records, including changing nameservers and editing CNAME records.

How to Edit Nameservers on GoDaddy

Your domain’s nameservers determine where your DNS is managed. Here’s how to change them:

1. Sign In to GoDaddy: Log in to your GoDaddy account and access your Domain Portfolio.
2. Select Your Domain: Choose the domain you want to update.
3. Change Nameservers:
   • Click on Nameservers from the action menu.
   • Choose between GoDaddy’s nameservers or your custom nameservers.
   • If you’re using custom nameservers, enter the details provided by Kajabi or your other DNS host.
   • Click Save and Continue.

Most DNS updates take effect within an hour but can take up to 48 hours globally.

You can find a detailed guide on how to edit your domain nameservers on GoDaddy here.

How to Edit a CNAME Record on GoDaddy

CNAME records are used to link subdomains to another domain. Here’s how you can edit a CNAME record:

1. Access DNS Settings: After logging into GoDaddy, select your domain and navigate to the DNS section.
2. Edit CNAME Records:
   • Find the CNAME record you want to edit.
   • Click Edit next to the record.
   • Update the Name and Value fields as needed.
   • Save your changes.

Editing CNAME records allows you to point subdomains to different URLs. For example, you could set up courses.mariataveras.com to point to a Kajabi-hosted page.

You can find more detailed instructions on how to edit a CNAME record on GoDaddy here.

Understanding DNS Records

To effectively manage your domain, it's essential to understand what DNS records are and how they function. Here’s a brief overview.

What Are DNS Records?

DNS records, or zone files, are instructions stored on DNS servers. These instructions tell the DNS server how to handle requests for your domain. Each DNS record has a specific purpose, and understanding these can help you manage your domain more effectively.

Some of the most common types of DNS records include:

• A Record: Points your domain to an IP address.
• AAAA Record: Similar to an A record, but it points to an IPv6 address.
• CNAME Record: Forwards one domain or subdomain to another domain.
• MX Record: Directs mail to an email server.
• TXT Record: Stores text information, often used for email security.

You can learn more about DNS records and how they work on Cloudflare’s comprehensive guide here.

How to Disconnect Your Custom Domain

There may come a time when you need to disconnect your custom domain from your Kajabi site. Whether you're rebranding, switching platforms, or just making changes, it's important to know how to do this correctly. Disconnecting your custom domain is a straightforward process.

If you ever need to disconnect your custom domain:

1. Open Domain Settings: From your Kajabi dashboard, go to Settings and click Domain.
2. Remove Domain: Select the three dots next to your domain and click Remove.

And that's it! Your custom domain will be disconnected, and your site will revert to its default Kajabi subdomain (e.g., yoursite.mykajabi.com).

FAQs and Additional Tips

What Happens if I Change My Domain After My Website Has Been Live?

Kajabi allows you to switch from a subdomain to a custom domain even after your site is live. Your site will be accessible via both the Kajabi subdomain and your new custom domain. However, note that changing a subdomain to another subdomain can lead to non-existing pages unless properly redirected.

How to Set Up a Forwarding Rule for Your Custom Domain on GoDaddy

If you've set up your custom domain on Kajabi using the "Create subdomain for Kajabi site" option and chose to connect a subdomain with "www" in the URL, you'll likely want to set up a forwarding rule to ensure that both the URL with and without "www" directs to the same site. Here’s how you can set this up on GoDaddy.

Adding a Forwarding Rule in GoDaddy

Before you begin, make sure your custom domain is properly connected to Kajabi:

1. Check Your Domain Settings in Kajabi:

   • Open the Settings tab from your Dashboard.
   • Click on Domain to ensure your custom domain is connected.

2. Log Into Your GoDaddy Account:

   • Go to GoDaddy and log in.
   • Navigate to Domains.

3. Manage DNS Settings:

   • Locate and select the domain for which you want to add the forwarding rule.
   • Click the ... (three dots) and choose Manage DNS.

4. Add the Forwarding Rule:

   • Scroll down to the Forwarding section and click Add next to the Domain section.
   • Select https:// and enter www.yoursite.com (replace with your domain).
   • Choose Permanent (301) and select Forward Only.
   • Check the box that reads, "Update my Nameservers and DNS settings."
   • Press Save.

5. Test Your Forwarding Rule:

   • Enter your domain URL in your browser to ensure the forwarding rule is working correctly.

For more detailed steps, you can visit GoDaddy's Help Center.

How to Set Up a Forwarding Rule for Your Custom Domain on Bluehost

Similarly, if you're using Bluehost, setting up a forwarding rule is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:

Adding a URL Redirect on Bluehost

1. Check Your Domain Settings in Kajabi:

   • As with GoDaddy, ensure your custom domain is properly connected in Kajabi by checking the Domain settings.

2. Log Into Your Bluehost Account:

   • Access your account at Bluehost and navigate to your cPanel.

3. Set Up the Redirect:

   • Open Domains and click on Redirects.
   • Fill out the Add Redirect fields:
     • Select Permanent (301).
     • Choose the correct domain in the dropdown menu.
     • Under "Redirects to," type in https://www.yourdomain.com.
   • Click Add and then test it in your browser.

For more details, visit Bluehost's Knowledge Base.

How to Manage Your DNS Records on Kajabi

Managing DNS records is crucial for ensuring that your website and email services run smoothly. Once you've successfully connected your custom domain to Kajabi, you can manage and view your DNS records directly from your Kajabi account.

What Are DNS Records?

DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is essentially the handbook for the internet. DNS records are like the listings in that handbook, providing vital information about your domain, such as the IP address associated with it and how to handle requests.

Viewing and Managing DNS Records in Kajabi

1. Accessing DNS Settings:

   • Open the Settings tab from your Kajabi Dashboard.
   • Click on Domain.
   • Then click on DNS Settings to view your records.

2. Adding Custom Records:

   • From the DNS Settings page, click + Custom Record in the top right corner.
   • Select the record type (A, CNAME, MX, SRV, TXT).
   • Complete the prompt with your custom record's details and click Add.

   Types of DNS Records You Can Add:

   • A record: Assigns an address for your domain to a specific IP.
   • CNAME record: Used to connect platforms through subdomains.
   • MX record: Holds your email sending and receiving information.
   • SRV record: Specifies a port for specific services like Skype.
   • TXT record: Holds your email security information, like DKIM.

Important Note: Changes to your DNS records can take up to 24-48 hours to take full effect. If you encounter issues after this period, I recommend reaching out for additional assistance.

By managing your DNS records properly, you can ensure that your website and associated services, such as email, operate seamlessly.

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By following these steps, you’re not just setting up a website—you’re building a foundation for a successful online business that will grow and thrive.