What is the issue you are experiencing when trying to point a domain on Hostgator to Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

When attempting to point a domain from Hostgator to Webflow, you may encounter a few common issues. Below are the possible challenges you might face and the corresponding solutions to resolve them:

  1. DNS propagation delay: The most common issue when pointing a domain to Webflow is the DNS propagation delay, which can take up to 48 hours to complete. During this time, changes made to DNS records, such as adding a CNAME or A record, may not take effect immediately. The only solution here is to be patient and wait for the DNS propagation to finish.

  2. Incorrect DNS settings: It's crucial to ensure that your DNS settings on Hostgator are appropriately configured to point to Webflow. Here's what you need to check:

  • CNAME records: Make sure that you have a CNAME record pointing to the Webflow default proxy alias (proxy.webflow.com) or the assigned Webflow subdomain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com).
  • A records: If you want to use a naked domain (e.g., yourwebsite.com) without the "www" prefix, set up an A record that points to the specific IP address provided by Webflow.
  • TTL (Time to Live): Set a low TTL value (e.g., 300 seconds) for faster propagation.
  1. Incomplete or conflicting configurations: Double-check your domain configurations on both Hostgator and Webflow. Ensure that all settings are correctly entered, including the CNAME and/or A records, and that there are no conflicting DNS configurations between the two platforms.

  2. Domain privacy settings: If you have domain privacy enabled on Hostgator, it may interfere with the domain pointing process. Temporarily disabling domain privacy, pointing the domain to Webflow, and then re-enabling privacy after the pointing is complete can help resolve this issue.

Remember, it's best to refer to the Webflow documentation for specific instructions on how to configure DNS settings for your domain. If you continue to encounter issues, reach out to Webflow support or Hostgator customer support for further assistance.

Additional Questions:

  1. How long does DNS propagation usually take when pointing a domain to Webflow?
  2. Do I need to transfer my domain to Webflow to use it with my Webflow site?
  3. What other domain registrars are compatible with Webflow for domain pointing?