How can I resolve the conflict between the CNAME record for www () being used by my domain provider and the need to create a CNAME record for www in HubSpot?
TL;DR
- Choose either Webflow or HubSpot as the sole owner of the www CNAME and point www to that platform’s CNAME record.
- Move the other platform to a different subdomain (e.g., info.yourdomain.com), update DNS accordingly, and verify propagation using DNS tools.
You're encountering a CNAME conflict for the www subdomain, which happens because a subdomain can only have one CNAME record, and both your domain provider and HubSpot are attempting to use it.
1. Understand the Role of CNAME for www
- CNAME records alias one domain name to another.
- The www subdomain traditionally uses a CNAME to connect to platforms like Webflow or HubSpot.
- A subdomain (like www) cannot have multiple CNAME records—only one can exist at a time.
2. Decide Which Platform Should Handle www
- Determine if Webflow or HubSpot is your primary website builder for the www domain.
- If Webflow: www should point to Webflow’s CNAME.
- If HubSpot: www should point to the CNAME provided by HubSpot (e.g., [yourID].hubspotpagebuilder.com).
You must choose one to serve www. You can’t split traffic between platforms at the DNS level.
3. Set Up Redirects as Needed
- After deciding which platform owns www, set up redirects to handle the alternate domain:
- If www goes to Webflow, you can configure HubSpot to use a subdomain like info.yourdomain.com.
- If www goes to HubSpot, consider using Webflow with a different subdomain (like design.yourdomain.com).
4. Update DNS Settings
- Go to your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
- Remove the existing CNAME record for www if it conflicts.
- Create a new CNAME record for www pointing to either:
- proxy-ssl.webflow.com (for Webflow)
- [yourID].hubspotpagebuilder.com (for HubSpot)
You must only have one CNAME for www.
5. Add Alternate Domains Within Either Platform
- Each platform allows you to host on subdomains.
- Use another subdomain (like blog.yourdomain.com, landing.yourdomain.com, or go.yourdomain.com) to separate services.
- Point that subdomain to its respective platform using a CNAME or A record.
6. Verify DNS Propagation
- Use tools like whatsmydns.net or MXToolbox to check if the CNAME is correctly propagating.
- DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours globally.
Summary
You must choose a single owner of the www CNAME, either Webflow or HubSpot. Whichever you prioritize, point www to that platform's CNAME, and move the other to a separate subdomain like info., blog., or go.. You cannot use two CNAMEs for www simultaneously.