Domain
Every MagicWP site comes with a free default domain and can also serve your own custom domain — with HTTPS handled automatically. You manage domains in the dashboard: your site → Domain.
Your default domain
When a site is created, MagicWP gives it a default subdomain like
your-site.magicwp.dev (the exact one is shown on the Domain page). It's
live immediately, always connected, and served over HTTPS — great for building
and testing before you point a custom domain at the site.
Connect a custom domain
A site can have one custom domain at a time. Connecting it is three steps: add a DNS record, add the domain in the dashboard, then activate it.
1. Add a DNS record at your registrar
Point your domain at your default MagicWP domain with a CNAME record:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | CNAME |
| Name | @ for the root domain, or the subdomain (e.g. www, blog) |
| Value | your default domain, e.g. your-site.magicwp.dev (copy it from the Domain page) |
Root domains
Many registrars can't put a CNAME on a root/apex domain (example.com) —
use their CNAME flattening / ALIAS / ANAME feature, or point a subdomain
like www instead.
2. Add the domain in the dashboard
On the Domain page, click Add Domain, enter the domain, and submit. MagicWP checks the DNS right away and adds the domain as Verified once the record is found. If it can't find the record yet, add it and try again after DNS propagates.
3. Connect it
Click Connect to make the custom domain the active domain for your site. A TLS certificate is issued automatically (see SSL below), and your site starts serving on the new domain.
DNS takes time to propagate
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24–48 hours to propagate worldwide. Always add the DNS record before clicking Add Domain, and if verification fails, wait and retry.
Managing your domain
On the Domain page each custom domain shows its state:
- Pending — added, but the DNS record hasn't been verified yet.
- Verified — DNS is correct; ready to connect.
- Connected — active; your site is served on this domain.
The actions available:
- Connect — activate a verified domain as the site's live domain.
- Disconnect — stop serving the custom domain; the site falls back to its
default
*.magicwp.devdomain. - Delete — remove the domain entirely. Disconnect it first (a connected domain can't be deleted).
SSL certificates
HTTPS is fully automatic. When you connect a domain, MagicWP issues and installs
a free Let's Encrypt certificate and renews it for you — there's nothing to
buy, upload, or configure. Your default *.magicwp.dev domain is always HTTPS
too.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "DNS verification failed" when adding | Record not added yet, or not propagated | Add the CNAME to your default domain, wait, then retry |
| Root domain won't verify | Registrar can't CNAME the apex | Use CNAME flattening / ALIAS / ANAME, or connect a www subdomain |
| Added but still Pending | DNS still propagating, or wrong target | Confirm the CNAME value matches your default domain exactly; recheck after propagation |
| Can't delete the domain | It's still connected | Disconnect it first, then delete |
| Site still shows the default domain | Custom domain added/verified but not connected | Click Connect on the Domain page |
| Certificate warning in the browser | Cert still being issued right after connecting | Give it a minute after connecting, then reload |