How to Setup Custom Domain in Systeme.io (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

I’m not going to lie—setting up a custom domain in Systeme.io felt like a boss battle the first time I tried.

I stared at DNS settings, half-expecting them to rearrange themselves out of pure sympathy.

But hey, if there’s one thing about me, I like a challenge… as long as I can figure it out at my own pace without many unnecessary complications.

If you’re like me —a creative thinker who prefers hands-on learning and avoids rigid structures like the plague—this guide is for you.

I’ll walk you through the steps to set up your custom domain without the usual tech-speak overload.

Plus, I’ll add some troubleshooting tips because, let’s be honest, something always goes wrong when dealing with DNS settings (don’t worry, I’ve got your back).

Why Custom Domains Matter (Even for Creatives Like Us 🎨)

You might be wondering:

“Do I need a custom domain? Can’t I use Systeme.io’s default one and call it a day?”

I get it—simplicity is everything.

However, using a custom domain makes your brand look polished and gives you more control over your online presence.

Whether you’re launching a business, a creative portfolio, or an online course, your domain name is the digital equivalent of a first impression.

And we want that impression to say, “Yes, I know what I’m doing.”

What You’ll Get from This Guide

I’m all about learning by doing, so I’ll keep things straightforward and actionable instead of overwhelming you with jargon.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

✔️ How to access Systeme.io settings (without clicking 50 different things)

✔️ How to add your custom domain (step-by-step, no fluff)

✔️ How to configure DNS settings (without breaking the internet)

✔️ Troubleshooting common issues (because errors love showing up uninvited)

✔️ Bonus tips to keep things running smoothly

My Promise to You

🔹 No unnecessary tech jargon

🔹 No long-winded explanations that make your eyes glaze over

🔹 Just clear steps and real-world fixes so you can get your site live ASAP

So, grab a coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing), and let’s tame the DNS setup beast together.

You’ve got this. 🎯

👉 Ready? Let’s jump into Step 1.

Getting Started: Pre-Setup Checklist

Before jumping into the setup, let’s take a deep breath and prepare everything.

Trust me—having all the right pieces in place before you start will save you from the frustration of jumping between tabs, searching for lost login details, or rage-Googling DNS errors.

I like to think of this as the pre-game warmup before the real action begins.

So, here’s what you’ll need before tackling the custom domain setup in Systeme.io.

✔️ What You Need Before You Start

🔹 A Registered Domain Name – You should own a custom domain from a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehost, or Hostinger. If you haven’t bought one yet, grab it now.

Your domain is your online “home address,” and we can’t move in if we don’t have one.

🔹 Access to Systeme.io Dashboard – Make sure you’re logged into Systeme.io because that’s where the magic happens.

🔹 Access to Your Domain Registrar’s DNS Settings – We’ll tweak a few settings to connect your domain to Systeme.io.

Every registrar is slightly different, but they all have a DNS Management or Zone Editor section where we’ll add CNAME records.

🔹 Patience – Because DNS propagation can take up to 24-48 hours (though sometimes it’s instant).

If you’re the impatient type (like me), I’ll show you a trick later to check if your domain is live immediately.

Ready to Get Started? Let’s Move to the Next Step

Now that everything is in place, we’re officially ready to start setting up your custom domain in Systeme.io.

Next, we’ll log into Systeme.io and connect your domain step by step.

Let’s go!

Step-by-Step: Adding Your Custom Domain to Systeme.io

Now that everything is ready, it’s time to connect your custom domain to Systeme.io.

This is where we roll up our sleeves and get hands-on.

If you’re anything like me, you appreciate clear, no-fluff instructions, so that’s exactly what you’ll get here.

We’ll be tackling this in three main steps:

✔️ Logging into Systeme.io and navigating to the domain settings

✔️ Adding your custom domain inside Systeme.io

✔️ Setting up DNS records in your domain registrar

Let’s go step by step.

🔹 Step 1: Log Into Systeme.io

1️⃣ Open your browser and go to Systeme.io.

2️⃣ Click the “Sign In” button at the top right corner.

3️⃣ Enter your email and password, then hit Enter.

🎯 Pro Tip: If you’re constantly forgetting your password (like I do), consider using a password manager so you don’t get stuck here.

🔹 Step 2: Access the “Custom Domains” Section

1️⃣ Once inside, locate your profile icon in the top right corner and click it.

2️⃣ A dropdown menu will appear—select “Settings.”

3️⃣ Scroll down in the settings menu until you find “Custom Domains” and click on it.

At this point, you’ll see a list of any domains you’ve previously connected (if any).

The list will be empty if this is your first time setting up a custom domain.

🔹 Step 3: Add Your Custom Domain

Now, let’s connect your domain!

1️⃣ Click the “Add Domain” button.

2️⃣ A box will pop up asking you to enter your domain.

3️⃣ Type your full domain name (e.g., www.example.com).

4️⃣ Click Save.

🎯 Important: If you want your domain to work without “www” (e.g., example.com instead of www.example.com), you must set up an additional DNS record later.

We’ll get to that soon!

Once you hit Save, Systeme.io will provide you with some CNAME records.

We’ll use these to connect your domain to Systeme.io through your domain registrar. 

Keep this page open, because we’ll need to copy those records in the next step.

🎯 Next Up: Configuring DNS Settings in Your Domain Registrar

Now that your domain is added to Systeme.io, it’s time to jump into your domain registrar’s settings and configure the DNS records.

This is the part where we make everything actually work.

🔹 If DNS settings sound complicated or scary, don’t worry! I’ll guide you through it in the next step.

Just keep your Systeme.io tab open, and let’s move on.

Validating Your Domain in Systeme.io

Alright, now that we’ve added your custom domain inside Systeme.io, it’s time to make it official by updating your DNS settings in your domain registrar.

This is where the magic happens—we’re linking your domain to Systeme.io so it works.

If this sounds complicated, don’t worry—I’ll guide you through it step by step.

By this end, your domain will be fully connected, and you’ll be one step closer to launching your website.

🔹 Step 1: Log into Your Domain Registrar & Find DNS Settings

Since every domain provider is slightly different, I’ll outline the general process first:

1️⃣ Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger, Bluehost, etc.).

2️⃣ Navigate to “Domain Management” or “Your Domains.”

3️⃣ Locate your custom domain and click “Manage” or “DNS Settings.”

4️⃣ Find the DNS Records or Zone Editor section, where we’ll add new records.

📌 Where to Find DNS Settings in Popular Registrars:

• GoDaddy: Domains → Manage DNS

• Namecheap: Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS

• Hostinger: Domains → DNS Zone Editor

• Bluehost: Domains → Manage → DNS

🔹 Step 2: Add CNAME Records from Systeme.io

Now, let’s connect your domain to Systeme.io using CNAME records.

📍 Go back to Systeme.io’s “Custom Domains” page (you left this open, right?), and you’ll see two CNAME records.

These look something like this:

✅ Here’s how to add them in your domain registrar:

1️⃣ In the DNS Settings section, click “Add New Record.”

2️⃣ Choose CNAME Record as the record type.

3️⃣ Enter the Host (Name) as “www” and the Value (Points to) as ssl.systeme.io.

4️⃣ Click Save.

5️⃣ Repeat the process for the second CNAME record, if needed.

🎯 Important Notes:

• Some registrars may not allow “*” (wildcard CNAME). In that case, focus on setting up the www CNAME properly.

• If you want your domain to work without “www” (e.g., example.com instead of www.example.com), you’ll need to add a 301 redirect from example.com to www.example.com in your registrar’s settings.

🔹 Step 3: Wait for DNS Propagation (The Waiting Game 🎭)

Your domain won’t work instantly once you’ve saved your DNS records.

It takes some time for the changes to spread across the internet, a process called DNS propagation.

⏳ How long does it take?

• Usually 15 minutes to a few hours.

• In some cases, up to 24-48 hours (though rare).

🔹 How to Check If Your DNS Records Are Working?

Instead of refreshing Systeme.io every 5 minutes, use a DNS Checker to confirm:

📌 Go to DNSChecker.org and:

1️⃣ Enter your domain (www.yourdomain.com).

2️⃣ Select CNAME as the record type.

3️⃣ Click Search.

You’re good to go if you see green checkmarks across different locations! If not, it may just need more time.

🔹 Step 4: Verify Your Domain in Systeme.io

Now for the moment of truth! 🚀

1️⃣ Go back to Systeme.io.

2️⃣ Refresh the Custom Domains page.

3️⃣ the “Pending Validation” status should disappear if everything is set up correctly. 🎉

✅ Success! Your domain is now live!

If it still says Pending Validation, don’t panic.

It’s entirely normal for DNS changes to take time.

Wait a bit and try again later.

🎯 Next Up: Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your domain isn’t validating or something looks off, don’t worry!

In the next section, I’ll review common issues and how to fix them so you’re not stuck.

👉 Let’s troubleshoot! 🛠️

Troubleshooting Common Issues 🔧

Alright, you’ve followed all the steps perfectly—or at least you think you did—but your custom domain is still stuck on “Pending Validation” or isn’t working properly. 😩

I get it. DNS settings can be finicky; even a tiny mistake (like an extra space or a missing dot) can break everything.

But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

Let’s fix the most common issues so you can finally go live with your custom domain on Systeme.io. 🚀

🔹 Issue 1: My domain is stuck on “Pending Validation”

You’ve added your domain in Systeme.io and set up your CNAME records, but nothing is happening—it still says Pending Validation.

What gives?

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ Wait a bit longer – DNS changes can take time to propagate, sometimes up to 24-48 hours.

2️⃣ Check your CNAME records again – A single typo can mess things up.

3️⃣ Use DNSChecker.org to confirm your domain settings have propagated (look for green checkmarks ✅).

4️⃣ Try re-saving your domain in Systeme.io – Sometimes, just hitting “Save” again helps.

📌 Pro Tip: If it’s been over 48 hours and your domain is still not verified, delete it in Systeme.io and add it again from scratch. Sometimes, a fresh start fixes the issue.

🔹 Issue 2: My site isn’t loading after validation

Your domain is validated, but when you try to visit it, you get a “Site Can’t Be Reached” or a blank page. 😭

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ Check if your domain uses “www.” – If you set up www.example.com but try to visit example.com, it won’t work unless you set up a redirect.

2️⃣ Set up a redirect in your domain registrar to ensure example.com redirects to www.example.com.

3️⃣ Check SSL settings in Systeme.io – Ensure SSL is enabled in your Custom Domains settings.

📌 Pro Tip: If you want your site to load with or without “www”, use Cloudflare to manage your domain and enable automatic redirects.

🔹 Issue 3: I see an SSL error (Not Secure Warning)

Your site loads, but browsers are warning visitors that your site isn’t secure.

This happens when your SSL certificate isn’t active yet.

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ Wait 15-30 minutes – Systeme.io automatically sets up an SSL certificate, but it may take a little time.

2️⃣ Clear your browser cache and try again.

3️⃣ If it’s still broken after a few hours, go to Custom Domains in Systeme.io and click “Enable SSL” manually.

📌 Pro Tip: If SSL issues persist, consider using Cloudflare’s free SSL to force HTTPS for your domain.

🔹 Issue 4: My CNAME records aren’t saving in my registrar

Some domain registrars (like Namecheap or Bluehost) have restrictions on CNAME records, and sometimes, they won’t let you save them.

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ Try using “@” instead of your domain name for the Host field in CNAME settings.

2️⃣ If your registrar doesn’t support wildcard CNAME records (*), just add the www CNAME and set up a redirect from example.com to www.example.com.

3️⃣ If your registrar forces you to add a dot (.) at the end of the value, follow their format.

📌 Pro Tip: If your registrar doesn’t support CNAMEs correctly, consider moving your domain to Cloudflare for easier DNS management.

🔹 Issue 5: My domain is redirecting to Systeme.io’s homepage, not my funnel/page

Your domain is connected, but when you visit it, it only shows the Systeme.io homepage instead of your funnel, course, or website.

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ In Systeme.io, go to Funnels > Select Your Funnel > Settings.

2️⃣ Ensure your custom domain is assigned to the correct funnel or website.

3️⃣ Check the “Path” settings to ensure visitors are directed to the right page (e.g., /home or /landing).

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re running multiple funnels, double-check that your domain isn’t assigned to a different one by mistake.

🔹 Issue 6: My domain is taking forever to load

If your website loads super slowly or doesn’t always connect, your DNS settings might not be optimized.

✅ Solution:

1️⃣ Use Cloudflare – It speeds up DNS resolution and protects your site.

2️⃣ Check your hosting setup – Systeme.io is cloud-based, but make sure your internet isn’t causing delays.

3️⃣ Try accessing your site in Incognito Mode – Sometimes, cached errors make it seem like the site isn’t loading when it actually is.

📌 Pro Tip: If you suspect your internet is the problem, try using a VPN or mobile data to test your domain.

🎯 Final Troubleshooting Checklist

✅ Domain added correctly in Systeme.io?

✅ CNAME records set up properly in your domain registrar?

✅ DNS changes fully propagated? (Check DNSChecker.org)

✅ Redirects set up if needed? (For non-www versions)

✅ SSL activated? (If your site shows “Not Secure”)

✅ Domain correctly assigned to your funnel/page?

If you checked everything and it’s still not working, don’t worry!

The Systeme.io support team and their community groups can help troubleshoot specific cases.

👉 Next up: Pro tips for keeping your custom domain running smoothly! 🚀

FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered! 

By now, your custom domain should be up and running in Systeme.io.

But if you’re anything like me, you probably still have a few lingering questions—or maybe you want to double-check you did everything right (totally normal!).

Here are people’s most common questions when setting up a custom domain in Systeme.io.

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to drop a comment or check out Systeme.io’s support forums. 

Q1: Can I use a subdomain instead of a root domain?

✅ Yes! You can connect a subdomain like blog.example.com instead of your main domain (example.com).

🔹 How to do it:

• When adding your domain in Systeme.io, enter your subdomain (blog.example.com).

• In your DNS settings, create a CNAME record for your subdomain (blog) pointing to ssl.systeme.io.

• Save & wait for DNS propagation.

📌 Pro Tip: If you want to use both your main domain and a subdomain, you must add them separately in Systeme.io and set up the correct DNS records for each.

What if I already have a website on my domain? Can I still use Systeme.io?

✅ Yes, but you have options.

If your domain (example.com) already points to another website, you can’t use it directly for Systeme.io unless you’re ready to switch. Instead:

🔹 Option 1: Use a subdomain (funnels.example.com) for Systeme.io while keeping example.com on your current platform.

🔹 Option 2: Move your entire website to Systeme.io and set up redirects from your old site.

🔹 Option 3: Keep example.com as your main site and embed Systeme.io funnels within it instead of using a custom domain.

📌 Pro Tip: Using WordPress, you can integrate Systeme.io via a subdomain or iframe embed instead of replacing your site.

Can I change my custom domain later?

✅ Yes, but you’ll need to reconfigure everything.

If you decide to switch to a new domain (newdomain.com instead of oldomain.com), you’ll need to:

1️⃣ Remove the old domain from Systeme.io.

2️⃣ Add the new domain and set up its DNS records.

3️⃣ Update any links or marketing materials that use the old domain.

4️⃣ Set up 301 redirects on your old domain so visitors get sent to the new one.

📌 Pro Tip: If you expect to change your domain frequently, consider buying a domain that’s flexible & brandable from the start.

My domain is set up, but my emails are still landing in spam. Why?

Even though your domain is live, you might notice that emails sent from Systeme.io end up in spam.

This usually happens because your domain is missing email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).

✅ How to fix it:

1️⃣ Go to your DNS settings in your domain registrar.

2️⃣ Add an SPF record:

• Type: TXT

• Host: @

• Value: v=spf1 include:spf.systeme.io ~all

3️⃣ Add a DKIM record (check Systeme.io’s settings for your specific value).

4️⃣ Add a DMARC record:

• Type: TXT

• Host: _dmarc

• Value: v=DMARC1; p=none;

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re using Systeme.io for email marketing, setting up these authentication records helps boost deliverability and keeps emails out of spam folders.

How do I set up email forwarding for my custom domain?

Let’s say you set up hello@example.com but want emails sent there to forward to your Gmail or Outlook inbox.

✅ How to do it:

• If your domain registrar offers email forwarding, enable it in your settings.

• If not, you can use Zoho Mail, Google Workspace, or Forward Email for free email forwarding.

📌 Pro Tip: If you need full email hosting (not just forwarding), consider using Google Workspace or Zoho Mail for a professional email setup.

Can I use a free domain with Systeme.io?

❌ No, Systeme.io requires a custom domain—you can’t use free subdomains like yourname.wordpress.com or yourname.wixsite.com.

✅ Workaround: If you don’t want to buy a domain, use Systeme.io’s default domain (yourname.systeme.io).

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re serious about building a business, a custom domain is worth it for credibility and branding.

What’s the best way to track traffic on my custom domain?

You need to set up tracking if you want to see how many visitors are coming to your Systeme.io site.

✅ Best ways to track website traffic:

1️⃣ Google Analytics – Add your GA4 tracking ID in Systeme.io’s settings.

2️⃣ Facebook Pixel – If you run ads, install this to track conversions.

3️⃣ UTM Links – Track marketing campaigns by adding UTM parameters to URLs.

📌 Pro Tip: If you use Google Search Console, verify your domain so you can track SEO performance & search rankings.

What happens if I delete my domain from Systeme.io?

If you remove your domain from Systeme.io:

• Your site will no longer be accessible via that domain.

• Visitors will see an error or blank page if they try to visit it.

• You’ll need to re-add it and update the DNS records to reconnect it.

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re moving to another platform, set up 301 redirects before deleting your domain to avoid broken links.

Conclusion: Your Custom Domain is Live! What’s Next?

You did it! Your custom domain is now fully set up in Systeme.io—and, honestly, that’s no small feat.

If you followed along step by step, you’ve gone from staring at a bunch of confusing DNS settings to having a fully functional website or funnel running on your own domain.

And that’s a big deal—your brand now has its own digital home online.

🔹 Summarizing the Key Steps

✅ Accessed Systeme.io and added your custom domain

✅ Updated DNS settings in your domain registrar

✅ Waited for DNS propagation (or obsessively refreshed DNSChecker 😆)

✅ Validated your domain inside Systeme.io

✅ Fixed any issues with troubleshooting tips

✅ Set up email authentication & tracking for better performance

You’ve now successfully connected your domain to Systeme.io, meaning you’re ready to start driving traffic, selling products, and building your brand on your website.

Final Thoughts: You’re Ready to Launch

Connecting your custom domain is just the first step—now it’s time to build, optimize, and grow.

Whether you’re launching a funnel, course, membership site, or business, your domain is now your foundation.

What’s Next?

🎯 Start building your pages & funnels inside Systeme.io.

🎯 Set up automation & email marketing to engage your audience.

🎯 Launch your first campaign and start driving traffic to your site.

If you found this guide helpful, let me know in the comments or share it with someone who might need it.

And if you’re still stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’ve been there and am happy to help.

Now, take over the internet—one Systeme.io funnel at a time.

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