A root domain is the main, core address of a website (like example.com) without any subdomains or paths, serving as the base from which all other pages and subdomains branch off. You can maintain your brand's experience by allowing members to land on your own custom root domain!
A root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) is the main domain you own. This setup allows users to access your Heartbeat community directly by typing yourdomain.com.
⚠️ Already have a website on this domain? Connecting your root domain to Heartbeat makes yourdomain.com load your Heartbeat community instead of your current website. This is not something clicking Reset can undo on its own, because the DNS record lives at your domain host. If you want your website and your community to both stay live, connect a subdomain like community.yourdomain.com instead. How to Set Up a Custom Subdomain
Not sure whether to use a root or sub-domain for your community URL? Learn the difference here.
How connecting a domain works
Heartbeat uses Entri to connect your custom domain. In most cases Entri does the setup for you. When you enter your domain and click Connect, Entri can sign in to your domain provider and add the required DNS records automatically — no manual editing. If you'd rather do it yourself, or your provider isn't supported, you can still add the records manually:
- Automatic (recommended) — Entri detects your provider; you sign in and approve, and it adds the records for you.
- Manual — Entri shows the exact record(s) and you add them at your domain host yourself.
Don't have a domain yet? Choose "Or, get a free domain" on the Domains page to register one through Heartbeat — free for the first year, with paid options from about $10/year.
Step 1: Enter your root domain
- Go to Settings > Community > Domains
- Under "Connect your custom domain", enter your root domain (e.g.,
yourdomain.com) and click Connect.
Step 2: Choose automatic or manual setup
Heartbeat opens Entri. Select Continue to proceed (this accepts Entri's terms), then pick one of the two paths below.
Option A — Let Entri set it up automatically (recommended)
Entri shows a searchable "Select your domain provider" list. Pick your provider, sign in when prompted, and approve the change — Entri adds the DNS records for you automatically. Then continue to Step 3.
Option B — Add the records yourself
Choose to add the records yourself. Entri shows the record as Type: A, Host: @, and a Required Value pointing at Heartbeat (sometimes with a second TXT record as well). Remove any existing A and AAAA records on the domain first — Entri warns about this — or they'll conflict. Then add the record(s) exactly as shown.
Sometimes we require a 2nd DNS record with a TXT type to complete your setup. If you see 2 records on this step, add both to your DNS manager.
Use the Copy buttons next to each value, add them in your DNS manager, then tick "I have copied … records" to continue. Not the person who manages your DNS? Use "Forward instructions to a colleague." Changes can take up to 48 hours to take effect.
If you're having trouble adding records to your DNS manager, find your provider below for a helpful guide. If your platform isn't listed, search its help articles for the keyword "A record" or "CNAME."
- Squarespace
- Namecheap
- 101 Domains
- Bluehost
- Cloudflare (Ensure that "Proxy" is disabled)
- DNSimple
- Dreamhost
- Godaddy (Ensure the 'host' field only contains your subdomain name and not the entire url)
- GreenGeeks
- Hostgator
- Hostinger
- SiteGround
- Westhost
- Wix
Make sure there are no conflicting records set for the same host and remove them if there are any. The records to check may be of Unmasked/Masked/Permanent Redirect, A, or CNAME types.
Step 3: Confirm and wait for setup
If you used automatic setup, Entri confirms the records for you. If you added them manually, click "I have copied … records" in the Entri window once they're in place — there's no separate verify button.
After you connect, your domain may show as "Setting up" while DNS propagates and we issue an SSL certificate. This can take 24–48 hours. Once it's finished, the status changes to Active and your domain is live.
💡 Tips + Troubleshooting
Check if Heartbeat can see the DNS record
DNS changes take anywhere from 10 minutes to 48 hours to fully update. This depends on your domain host.
There are many tools you can use to check if the record has been added to domain properly.
This article shows you how to use dnschecker.org. Heartbeat has no affiliation with this site, we just find it easy to use.
To start, click here: dnschecker.org/all-dns-records-of-domain.php
- Enter the your community URL.
- Click on A.
- Click on the button Lookup DNS.
If the record has been entered properly, you will see it as shown in the second image below.
Multiple A Records Conflicts
Multiple A records associated with the same domain can cause conflicts. This often happens when other services (e.g., email providers, and platforms) are also using subdomains or the root domain. Ensure that your custom domain has only one A record pointing to Heartbeat’s servers.
Cache and Browser Issues
After DNS propagation and SSL certificate setup, sometimes browsers cache the old configuration, leading to the site still appearing down or not resolving correctly. Clear your browser’s cache or try accessing the site from an incognito/private browser window.
Still not working?
First, check if the A record is showing by using the guide above. If the A record is not showing when you use the guide above, please contact your domain host.
Failing this, you can capture a screenshot of your DNS settings and reach out to our support team for assistance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I change my domain registrar or DNS provider? You must reconfigure your DNS records with the new provider to ensure your custom domain points correctly to Heartbeat.
Can I revert back to the default Heartbeat domain?
Yes, and it takes two steps. Clicking Reset next to your domain on Settings > Community > Domains disconnects the domain inside Heartbeat and restores your default Heartbeat URL. It does not remove the DNS record at your domain host. Heartbeat has no access to your DNS settings, so until you remove that record yourself, your domain will keep pointing at Heartbeat.
To finish reverting, log in to your domain host, open the DNS zone for your domain, and find the A record for the root (host @) pointing to 76.76.21.21 or 216.150.1.1. Those are Heartbeat's addresses. Delete that record. If your domain previously served another website, restore the A record that site was using. Your domain host's support team can help you identify it if you're not sure.
Once the record is removed, DNS changes take 10 minutes to 48 hours to fully update. Waiting on its own will not revert the domain. The record has to be deleted at your domain host first.