What are alternative solutions for setting DNS in Webflow if my provider does not support A Records or CNAME?
TL;DR
- Switch DNS management to a provider like Cloudflare or transfer your domain to a registrar with full DNS support for A Records and CNAMEs.
- Alternatively, temporarily use the Webflow staging URL or contact your current provider’s support to check for hidden DNS options; avoid reverse proxies due to complexity and risks.
If your DNS provider does not support A Records or CNAMEs, you'll need another method to connect your Webflow-hosted site to your domain. Here’s exactly how you can handle this:
1. Use a Different DNS Provider
- Switch to a provider like Cloudflare, Google Domains, Namecheap, or GoDaddy that fully supports A Records and CNAMEs needed for Webflow.
- Keep your domain registered with your existing registrar but point the nameservers to the new DNS provider.
- Common nameservers for Cloudflare, for example, are usually something like abby.ns.cloudflare.com and tom.ns.cloudflare.com.
2. Transfer Your Domain to Another Registrar
- Transfer your domain to a registrar that provides full DNS management, including A Records and CNAME setup.
- Follow the domain transfer process, which often requires an authorization/EPP code from your current registrar.
- Be aware: domain transfers can take several days and may involve a transfer fee.
3. Use Webflow’s Default Subdomain
- If you can’t set up the domain properly, stick with your Webflow-provided staging URL (e.g., your-site.webflow.io) until switching DNS providers.
- Not ideal for client projects or branding, but it keeps your site live.
4. Contact Your DNS Provider’s Support
- Sometimes DNS management features are available but hidden under advanced settings or unlocked only after an upgrade.
- Request clarification whether A Records and custom CNAMEs can be added via support.
5. Utilize a Reverse Proxy or URL Forwarding (not recommended)
- Technically, you could point your domain to a reverse proxy that forwards traffic to your Webflow staging site.
- Major downsides: complicated setup, SSL issues, extreme performance risks, and Webflow explicitly does not support reverse proxy connections for custom domains.
Summary
If your DNS provider cannot set A Records or CNAMEs, the best solution is to move your DNS management to a capable provider like Cloudflare without changing your registrar, or transfer the domain entirely to a registrar with full DNS support. Using a reverse proxy is not recommended and sticking to the Webflow staging URL should only be temporary.