Intermediate
How to set up custom domain on Ghost
Quick Answer
Setting up a custom domain on Ghost involves configuring your domain's DNS records to point to Ghost's servers and updating your site's URL in Ghost admin. The process requires adding A records or CNAME records and updating the site configuration.
Prerequisites
- Ghost site hosted on Ghost Pro or self-hosted
- Custom domain purchased from a domain registrar
- Access to DNS settings for your domain
- Admin access to your Ghost site
1
Access your Ghost Admin panel
Log in to your Ghost admin panel by navigating to
yoursite.ghost.io/ghost and entering your credentials. Click on Settings in the left sidebar, then select General from the settings menu.Tip
Make sure you have owner or administrator permissions to modify site settings.
2
Update your site URL
In the General settings, locate the Site URL field. Replace the default Ghost URL with your custom domain, including the protocol. For example, change from
https://yoursite.ghost.io to https://yourdomain.com. Click Save to apply the changes.Tip
Always use HTTPS in your site URL for better security and SEO.
3
Configure DNS A records
Access your domain registrar's DNS management panel. Add the following A records:
- Host/Name: @ (root domain) Value: 178.128.43.39
- Host/Name: www Value: 178.128.43.39
Tip
DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate globally, but usually take effect within a few hours.
4
Add CNAME record (if using subdomain)
If you're using a subdomain like
blog.yourdomain.com, add a CNAME record instead:- Host/Name: blog (or your chosen subdomain)
- Value: yoursite.ghost.io
- TTL: 3600 seconds
5
Wait for DNS propagation
Allow time for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. You can check the status using online DNS checker tools or by running
nslookup yourdomain.com in your terminal. The domain should resolve to Ghost's IP address when ready.Tip
Use tools like whatsmydns.net to check DNS propagation status across different locations worldwide.
6
Enable SSL certificate
Once DNS propagation is complete, return to your Ghost admin panel. Navigate to Settings > General. Ghost should automatically provision an SSL certificate for your custom domain. If not, click Generate SSL Certificate or contact Ghost support.
Tip
SSL certificates on Ghost Pro are automatically managed and renewed, so you don't need to worry about expiration.
7
Test and verify setup
Visit your custom domain in a web browser to confirm it loads correctly. Check that:
- The site loads without errors
- HTTPS is working (look for the padlock icon)
- All internal links redirect to the new domain
- Admin panel is accessible at
yourdomain.com/ghost
Tip
Clear your browser cache if you encounter any issues or see the old domain still appearing.
8
Update redirect settings (optional)
In Ghost admin, go to Settings > Advanced and configure redirects if needed. Set up 301 redirects from your old Ghost URL to ensure SEO value transfers to your custom domain. Add redirect rules in the Redirects section using JSON format.
Tip
Keep the redirect rules simple and test them thoroughly to avoid redirect loops.
Troubleshooting
Domain not resolving after DNS changes
Check that DNS records are correctly configured with your registrar. Verify A records point to
178.128.43.39 and allow up to 48 hours for full propagation. Use DNS lookup tools to verify changes.SSL certificate not generating
Ensure DNS is fully propagated before requesting SSL. In Ghost admin, go to Settings > General and try regenerating the certificate. If issues persist, contact Ghost support for manual certificate provisioning.
Site showing 'Page not found' error
Verify the site URL in Ghost admin matches your custom domain exactly, including HTTPS protocol. Check that DNS records are pointing to the correct Ghost IP address and clear your browser cache.
Admin panel not accessible on custom domain
Confirm the site URL in Ghost settings includes the full domain with HTTPS. Try accessing
yourdomain.com/ghost directly. If still not working, temporarily revert to the original Ghost URL to regain access and reconfigure.Ready to get started with Ghost?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Ghost and follow the steps above.
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