Connecting a custom domain to your Kajabi site allows you to use your own branded URL instead of the default Kajabi subdomain. This guide walks you through connecting your domain via nameservers, managing DNS settings, and setting up a custom email domain.
Purchase through a domain registrar
Before connecting a custom domain, you must first purchase and register a domain through a domain registrar. A few common domain registrars that Kajabi users have chosen are:
Connect a custom domain to Kajabi
To connect your custom domain via nameservers, you will need to replace the existing nameservers in your domain registrar with the unique nameservers that Kajabi has created for you.
Connect the custom domain
Warning: Back up your DNS records before changing NameserversIf you use a webmail service (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.) on your custom domain, changing your Nameservers can break your email. Before you start:
- Confirm who your webmail provider is.
- Take a screenshot of all your existing DNS records, including MX (mail server) records.
- From the Kajabi dashboard, click Settings.
- Under Site settings, click Domain.
- Click Set up custom domain.
- Select Connect domain to Kajabi.
- Enter your domain into the domain name text box, then click Next.
- The next page shows you two unique Nameservers that Kajabi has created for you.
- On a separate page, log into your domain registrar account and navigate to the DNS Settings. Kajabi assigns two nameservers to your domian, show on this screen. These are your actual nameservers - copy them exactly as displayed. They will look like
jermaine.ns.cloudflare.com and joyce.ns.cloudflare.com
Important: Always refer to the Kajabi-provided nameservers displayed in your Domain settings or setup instructions for accuracy.
- Navigate to your Nameservers in your Domain Registrar DNS settings.
- Remove the existing Nameservers in your domain registrar.
- Add the two Nameservers Kajabi has provided for you to your domain registrar.
- On the Kajabi Domain Settings page, click Done, then verify domain.
DNS settings
If you have successfully connected your custom domain, you can access your Kajabi DNS settings.
To access your DNS settings in Kajabi:
- From the Dashboard, click Settings.
- Under Site settings, click Domain.
- Click the connected domain name.
From here, you can view your DNS records and add the following custom records:
If you’ve previously connected a webmail service (i.e. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) to your custom domain, check for the MX records in your Kajabi DNS settings after connecting your domain to make sure they imported correctly. Learn more about how to prevent an webmail disruption.
Limitations
- Custom domains cannot contain “kajabi” in the URL (e.g.,
mybrand.kajabi.com is not allowed). Domains that include Kajabi trademarks will be rejected
- Each Kajabi site can have only one custom domain connected at a time
- If the domain is not yet registered with a domain registrar, you will see the error “is not a registered domain”
- Root domains cannot use the CNAME method
Best practices
- Allow up to 48–72 hours for DNS propagation before assuming the change failed. If verification fails after 72 hours, contact your registrar to ensure the name servers were applied correctly
- Take screenshots of the original DNS records before changing name servers so you can recreate important records with the new DNS host
- Do not remove Kajabi’s name servers prematurely once verification starts
FAQs
How long does it take for my domain to connect?
DNS propagation can take up to 48–72 hours. Kajabi verification may complete sooner once the name servers are updated globally.
Should I use the nameserver method or a CNAME record?
Use the nameserver method for root/apex domains (e.g. yourdomain.com) — Kajabi cannot verify a root domain through a CNAME record. Use a CNAME record for a subdomain (e.g. courses.yourdomain.com), or for a root domain when you can’t change nameservers (see the apex workaround below).
Setting up a CNAME (subdomain method):
- From the Kajabi dashboard, go to Settings > Site settings > Domain.
- Click Set up custom domain, then select Create subdomain for Kajabi site.
- Enter your domain and subdomain (e.g.
www), then click Next. Kajabi shows the exact CNAME Host and Target/Value to use — this screen is always the source of truth. The target value can differ per account, so always use what’s shown on your own setup screen.
- In your DNS provider, add a new record: Type CNAME, Host/Name the subdomain shown by Kajabi, Target/Value the value shown by Kajabi. Do not delete or edit any existing records.
- If you use Cloudflare: set the new CNAME record’s Proxy status to “DNS Only” (grey cloud), not “Proxied” (orange cloud). A proxied CNAME causes SSL errors or a Cloudflare Error 1014 (CNAME Cross-User Banned). If you’ve already set up the record and see either of those errors, check this toggle first.
- Back in Kajabi, click Done, then verify domain.
Important: Never point a Kajabi CNAME record to a third-party value such as mailgun.org — that target is for Kajabi’s email-sending domain setup, not for connecting your website domain or subdomain. Always copy the Host and Target values shown on your Kajabi domain setup screen for the feature you’re configuring.
Can I connect a subdomain?
Yes. Use the CNAME/subdomain method described above — you do not need to change your nameservers to connect a subdomain.
Can I connect a root (apex) domain without changing nameservers?
Not directly — Kajabi requires the nameserver method for root domains, and a root domain cannot use a CNAME record. If you can’t or don’t want to change nameservers, connect your www subdomain to Kajabi using the CNAME method above, then redirect the root domain to www at your registrar or DNS provider:
- Most registrars (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Porkbun, etc.) have a URL forwarding or domain forwarding setting — point
yourdomain.com to https://www.yourdomain.com.
- If you use Cloudflare, add a Page Rule instead: forward
yourdomain.com/* (Forwarding URL, 301) to https://www.yourdomain.com/$1, and add a second rule for yourdomain.com/* set to Always Use HTTPS.
This gets both yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com working without ever changing nameservers, and avoids Cloudflare Error 1014, which happens specifically when a root-domain CNAME is proxied through Cloudflare.
What if my registrar won’t let me change name servers?
Contact your registrar’s support. If they can’t change name servers, you can move DNS hosting to a provider that allows name server updates or ask Kajabi support for alternatives.
How do I confirm my domain is verified?
After clicking Done, verify domain, check the domain settings page in Kajabi for a connected/verified status or use a DNS lookup to confirm the two Kajabi name servers are listed.
DNS provider resources:
GoDaddy
Namecheap
Porkbun
Bluehost
Domain.com
