Link your custom domain
Introduction
Connecting your own custom domain to Frevana unlocks the full power of AI-Engine Optimization (AEO) for your brand. This guide walks you through each step, so you can claim your domain, maximize your visibility, and take complete control of your AI-powered agent team's presence across platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Amazon Rufus, and more.
By following this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Configure your domain for seamless integration with Frevana
- Ensure your site is readable and optimized for AI answer engines
- Troubleshoot common connection issues
- Monitor and optimize your AI visibility in real time
Establishing a custom domain is the foundation for building trust, improving your brand’s discoverability, and driving measurable results through AI-driven recommendations. Anyone can do it—no advanced technical skills required.
Estimated time to complete: 10–15 minutes
Prerequisites
Before you begin linking your custom domain, make sure you have the following:
-
A Registered Domain Name
- You must own a domain purchased from a registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.
-
Access to Your Domain Registrar Account
- Be able to log in to your registrar’s management dashboard for your domain.
-
Access to the Service or Platform
- Log in to the platform (such as Frevana) where you want to link your domain.
-
Required DNS Record Information
- Locate the DNS record values (like A record IP address or CNAME targets) that the platform asks you to set.
💡 Tip: Prepare all your credentials for both your domain provider and the platform ahead of time to make the process smoother.
Access Domain Settings
Follow these steps to locate your domain’s DNS controls:
- Go to your domain registrar’s website and log in to your account.
- Find your list of domains. This is usually on the dashboard or under “My Domains.”
- Select the domain you want to link.
- Locate the section labeled “DNS Settings,” “Manage DNS,” “Name Server Management,” or something similar.
- This section typically displays your current DNS records in a table.
⚠️ Warning: Changes to DNS settings can affect your website’s availability. Always double-check the domain before making changes.
Add DNS Records
To connect your domain, you’ll need to update or add DNS records as specified by your service or platform.
Adding an A Record
- In your domain’s DNS settings, look for an option like “Add Record” or “New Record.”
- Choose “A” as the record type.
- Enter the “Name” or “Host.” This is often
@to refer to the root domain (e.g.,example.com). - Enter the “Value” or “Points to.” Use the IP address provided by your platform.
Type: A
Name: @
Value: 123.45.67.89 # Replace with your service's IP
TTL: 3600 (or leave default)
Adding a CNAME Record (if required)
- Click “Add Record.”
- Choose “CNAME” as the type.
- Enter the “Name” (e.g.,
www). - Enter the “Value” provided by the platform (e.g.,
your-platform.example.com).
Type: CNAME
Name: www
Value: platform.yourservice.com # Replace with the actual value
TTL: 3600 (or leave default)
- Save your DNS settings.
💡 Tip: DNS changes take time to propagate—usually up to 24 hours, but sometimes it’s much quicker.
Connect and Verify Domain
Now, finalize the connection inside your platform's dashboard.
- Log in to your platform account (e.g., Frevana dashboard).
- Go to the “Settings,” “Domains,” or “Custom Domain” section—usually found in the side or top navigation menu.
- Enter your custom domain (e.g.,
yourbrand.com) in the space provided. - Click “Connect,” “Add Domain,” or the applicable action button.
- Wait for the platform to begin the verification process.
- You may see a status indicator such as “Verifying…” or “Pending.”
- The platform checks your DNS records to confirm the connection.
- When successful, you’ll see a confirmation such as “Domain Connected” or “Verified.”
⚠️ Warning: If verification fails after 24 hours, double-check your DNS records for typos or incorrect values.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you run into problems, use these steps to resolve them:
DNS Changes Not Propagating
- Wait at least 1–24 hours. Most DNS changes are live within this window.
- Use tools like MXToolbox or WhatsMyDNS to check global propagation.
Incorrect Record Entries
- Recheck the domain name, record type, and value.
- Confirm there are no conflicting records (e.g., multiple A records for the same host).
Verification Failures
- Make sure you entered your domain in the platform exactly as registered.
- Remove old or incorrect records in your DNS settings that may conflict.
Platform-specific Errors
- Review any error message details shown in the dashboard.
- Check the platform’s Help Center or contact support if needed.
💡 Tip: Clear your browser cache or use an incognito window to check if the website is correctly resolving after making changes.
Conclusion and Next Steps
You have now linked your custom domain and verified ownership. For best results:
- Enable SSL or HTTPS on your domain through your platform to ensure secure connections.
- Check your website’s status from multiple devices and locations to confirm accessibility.
- Monitor the platform dashboard for ongoing domain health and visibility.
- If you experience persistent issues, reach out to platform support for further assistance.
💡 Tip: Review your site’s content and technical settings regularly to maintain high AI visibility, enhance security, and maximize performance.
You’re all set—your brand can now leverage the full power of your custom domain for greater discoverability and impact.
Conclusion
In this guide, you learned how to successfully link your custom domain to your chosen platform. We covered the essential steps involved—from configuring DNS settings to verifying domain connection—empowering you to establish a professional online presence. With your domain linked, you’re now ready to take full advantage of your website’s branding and features.
Next Steps
- Set up SSL/TLS to secure your website and ensure visitor trust.
- Create personalized email addresses for a more professional touch (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).
- Connect your domain to additional services like Google Analytics or webmaster tools.
- Customize your website content to reflect your brand and engage your audience.
Related Resources
- Guide: Set Up Email on Your Custom Domain
- How to Enable SSL/TLS for Your Site
- Getting Started with Google Analytics
Troubleshooting
- DNS Changes Not Taking Effect: DNS updates can take up to 48 hours to propagate. Double-check your DNS entries and wait for propagation.
- Domain Not Verifying: Make sure you’ve entered the correct verification record (CNAME or TXT) exactly as instructed.
- SSL Certificate Not Issued: Confirm your domain is correctly pointed to your provider, and check if your provider requires any manual steps for SSL setup.
- Site Still Shows Old Host: Your browser or device may be caching the old site. Try clearing your cache or visiting your site in an incognito/private window.
You’re on your way to standing out online! If you need more help, check out our support center or reach out for assistance.
Guide Type: Other | Target Audience: All Levels
