Use a subdomain or www

Pick the name

• A subdomain or www, like www.example.com or shop.example.com. It takes a CNAME record. Every DNS provider supports it.
• The bare domain, also called the apex or root, like example.com. It cannot take a plain CNAME.

If you are unsure, connect www.example.com. It works everywhere.

Pick your provider: Find where your DNS is managed.

Connect a subdomain

1. Open Website > Domain.
2. Type www.example.com in Hostname.
3. Click Connect domain.
4. Add the CNAME shown in DNS steps at your provider.
5. Click Check again.

Connect the bare domain

1. Type example.com in Hostname.
2. Click Connect domain.
3. Add the record shown in DNS steps. It is an ALIAS or ANAME (CNAME flattening) record.
4. Click Check again.

Providers name this record differently. Some call it a flattened CNAME.

Fix common problems

My provider has no ALIAS or ANAME. Connect www.example.com instead. Then set a redirect from example.com to www.example.com at your provider.

Which name should be primary? Pick the one you print on cards and share. See Check domain status and make it primary.

yaya treats example.co.uk as a bare domain. It does. Names like shop.example.co.uk are subdomains.