# Connect a custom domain

> Moving from your DonorCARE subdomain to your own domain name.

Source: https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/website/connect-a-custom-domain/

**Who can do this:** Owner, Admin

Move your public site from your free `<yourname>.donorcare.my` address to a domain name you own, without losing anything already live.

## Before you start

- Custom domains are available on the Pro plan and above. On the free plan your site keeps working at your DonorCARE subdomain.
- You'll need access to your domain's DNS settings — wherever you registered or manage it (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or similar).

## Steps

1. **Open Website, then Domain Settings.** Your free address is shown at the top as `https://<your-subdomain>.donorcare.my` — this keeps working even after you add your own domain.

2. **Under Custom Domain, select Add Custom Domain.** Enter your domain exactly as you'll use it, without `http://` or `https://` — for example `donate.yourorganisation.org` — then select **Add Domain**.

   *Screenshot: the Add Custom Domain dialog with a domain entered.*
3. **Add the DNS records DonorCARE shows you.** At minimum this is a CNAME record pointing your domain at your DonorCARE address; while verification is pending you may also see a TXT record proving you own the domain, and a separate record for your SSL certificate. Copy each Host and Value into your DNS provider exactly as shown — use the copy button next to each to avoid typos.

4. **Save the records in your DNS provider, then come back and select Check.** DNS changes can take a few minutes to propagate, and up to 24 hours in some cases — a "Pending" badge right after saving is normal.

5. **Once verified, the badge changes to Verified** and DonorCARE confirms your domain is live with an SSL certificate. Select **Set Primary** if you want this to be the address donors reach by default.

## If something goes wrong

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "TXT record not found in DNS" or "TXT record value in DNS is outdated" | The record hasn't reached DonorCARE yet, or was copied slightly wrong | Re-copy the Host and Value from Domain Settings exactly, save them in your DNS provider, then select **Check** again. |
| Your domain won't verify and you use Cloudflare | Cloudflare's orange-cloud proxy can hide the record DonorCARE needs to see | Set the record to **DNS only** (gray cloud), not Proxied. |
| Your domain has no prefix (e.g. `yourorg.org`, not `donate.yourorg.org`) | Root domains sometimes need an extra step your DNS provider calls CNAME flattening | Check your DNS provider's own instructions for pointing a root domain at a CNAME target. |

## Related

- [Build your public site](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/website/build-your-public-site/)
- [Edit navigation and pages](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/website/edit-navigation-and-pages/)
- [Add Google Analytics](https://donorcare.my/help/organizations/website/add-google-analytics/)