Are you looking to add a personal touch to your Medium profile or publication? A custom domain can help you achieve that. With a custom domain, you can replace the default Medium URL with your own domain name, making your profile or publication easier to find and remember.
Setting up a custom domain on Medium is a straightforward process. First, you’ll need to purchase a domain name from a domain registrar. Once you’ve done that, you can then link your domain to your Medium profile or publication. It’s important to note that if you want to use a custom domain for your publication, you must be the owner of the publication and the email address on your ticket must match your account’s email address.
With a custom domain, you can make your Medium profile or publication stand out from the crowd. It’s a simple way to personalize your online presence and make it easier for readers to find you. So, whether you’re a blogger, writer, or content creator, setting up a custom domain is definitely worth considering.
Understanding Custom Domains
What is a Custom Domain?
When we talk about a custom domain, we are referring to a website address that is unique to us. Instead of using a generic URL like medium.com/@username, we can purchase a custom domain from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. This will allow us to use a personalized URL such as www.yourdomain.com or blog.yourdomain.com.
Benefits of Using a Custom Domain
There are several benefits to using a custom domain for our Medium profile or publication. First and foremost, it allows us to create a professional and memorable brand identity. Visitors expect our domain name to match or closely resemble our company name, so having a custom domain can increase our credibility and trustworthiness.
Another benefit of using a custom domain is that it can improve our search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. By using relevant keywords in our domain name, we can increase our chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Finally, having a custom domain gives us more control over our online presence. We can customize our website design and layout to better reflect our brand and business goals. Additionally, we can easily move our website to a different hosting provider if we need to, without losing our domain name or search engine rankings.
In summary, setting up a custom domain for our Medium profile or publication can provide several benefits, including increased brand identity, improved SEO, and greater control over our online presence.
Purchasing a Custom Domain
If you want to set up a custom domain for your Medium profile or publication, you need to purchase a domain name. In this section, we will provide you with some tips on where to buy a custom domain and how to choose the right domain name.
Where to Buy a Custom Domain
There are many domain registrars where you can purchase a custom domain. Some of the most popular ones are:
- GoDaddy
- Namecheap
- Google Domains
- Hover
- Bluehost
Each registrar has its own pricing and features, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Choosing the Right Domain Name
Choosing the right domain name is crucial for your online presence. Here are some tips to help you choose the right domain name for your Medium profile or publication:
- Keep it short and memorable: Choose a domain name that is easy to remember and easy to type. Avoid using hyphens or numbers, as they can be confusing.
- Make it relevant: Choose a domain name that is relevant to your Medium profile or publication. It should reflect your brand and what you write about.
- Use keywords: Use relevant keywords in your domain name to help with search engine optimization (SEO).
- Consider the extension: Choose a domain name extension that is appropriate for your brand. .com is the most popular extension, but there are many others to choose from, such as .net, .org, .io, and more.
Once you have chosen your domain name, you can purchase it from a domain registrar. Keep in mind that some domain names may already be taken, so it’s important to have a few backup options in case your first choice is not available.
Linking Your Custom Domain to Medium
Configuring DNS Settings
To link your custom domain to Medium, you will need to configure your DNS settings. This involves adding two records to your domain’s DNS settings: an A record and a CNAME record. The A record should point to Medium’s IP address, while the CNAME record should point to your Medium subdomain.
To add these records, you will need to access your domain registrar’s DNS settings. This can usually be done through your registrar’s website or control panel. Look for a section labeled “DNS Settings,” “Advanced DNS,” or something similar.
Once you have accessed your DNS settings, add an A record with the following details:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 162.159.135.42 |
Then, add a CNAME record with the following details:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | www | USERNAME.MEDIUM.COM. |
Replace “USERNAME” with your Medium username. Save your changes and wait for them to propagate, which can take up to 24 hours.
Verifying Domain Ownership on Medium
After configuring your DNS settings, you will need to verify your domain ownership on Medium. To do this, go to your Medium publication’s settings and click on the “Custom domain” tab. Enter your custom domain and click “Save.”
Medium will then provide you with a list of DNS records to add to your domain’s DNS settings. These records are used to verify that you own the domain. Add the records as instructed, and click “Verify” on the Medium custom domain page.
Once your domain ownership has been verified, your custom domain will be linked to your Medium publication. Visitors to your custom domain will be directed to your Medium publication, and your Medium publication will be accessible through your custom domain.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues while setting up your custom domain, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
Domain Verification Issues
If you are having trouble verifying your domain, make sure you have followed all the steps correctly. Double-check that you have added the correct TXT record to your DNS settings and that it matches the verification code provided by Medium. It may take up to 48 hours for the verification to complete, so be patient.
If you are still having issues, try deleting the TXT record and adding it again. If that doesn’t work, try using a different verification method, such as adding a CNAME record or uploading an HTML file to your domain’s root directory.
DNS Settings Errors
If you have verified your domain but are still having issues, it may be due to DNS settings errors. Make sure you have added the correct CNAME or A record to your DNS settings. Double-check that the record points to the correct IP address or domain.
If you are still having issues, try clearing your DNS cache or using a different browser. You can also try contacting your domain registrar or hosting provider for assistance.
Remember, setting up a custom domain can take some time and patience. If you are still having issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Medium’s support team for help.
Maintaining Your Custom Domain
Once you have set up your custom domain on Medium, it is important to maintain it to ensure that your publication or profile remains accessible to your audience. Here are some tips on how to maintain your custom domain:
Regularly Updating DNS Settings
DNS (Domain Name System) settings are used to translate domain names into IP addresses, which are used to locate servers on the internet. It is important to keep your DNS settings up-to-date to ensure that your custom domain is pointing to the correct server.
We recommend checking your DNS settings regularly to ensure that they are correct. If you need to update your DNS settings, you can do so by logging into your domain registrar’s website and making the necessary changes.
Renewing Your Domain Subscription
Domain names must be renewed on a regular basis to ensure that they remain active. The length of time between renewals varies depending on the domain registrar and the length of the subscription you purchased.
We recommend setting up automatic renewal for your domain subscription to ensure that it is renewed on time. If you do not renew your domain subscription, your custom domain will become inactive and your publication or profile will no longer be accessible to your audience.
In conclusion, maintaining your custom domain is crucial to the success of your publication or profile on Medium. By regularly updating your DNS settings and renewing your domain subscription, you can ensure that your custom domain remains active and accessible to your audience.