How to Connect Your Booking Website to Your Own Domain

Already have a domain you would like to use? Great news! You can now connect it to your Holidu booking website. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step to ensure your Direct Booking website is accessible via your own custom domain.

Before You Get Started

Make sure you have the following in place before beginning:

• Access to your domain provider's settings (such as AWS, Vercel, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or other DNS providers)
• Basic understanding of DNS records (don't worry—we'll guide you through it)
• Awareness that any existing website currently live on that domain will be replaced once this process is complete

Step 1: Enable Your Website and Initiate Domain Connection

Start by accessing your Holidu application dashboard to begin the domain connection process:

• Navigate to your website configuration settings
• Click on "Enable website" if it is not already enabled
• Click on "Connect my domain"

After entering your existing domain name, a DNS tab will appear. Here, Holidu will generate specific DNS values that you'll need to copy and add to your domain provider's settings in the next steps. Keep this information handy as you'll reference it throughout the process.

Step 2: Create a CNAME DNS Record

Now it's time to log in with your domain provider and create your first DNS record. Look for an option to create a new DNS record—a configuration mask will typically open.

Follow these steps:

1. Select CNAME as the record type
2. In the Holidu application, locate the NAME value from the CNAME line and copy it
3. Paste this value into the name field of the new DNS record you're creating
4. Copy the VALUE from the same CNAME line in the Holidu application
5. Paste this value into the value field of your DNS record
6. Leave the TTL (Time To Live) and Routing policy fields at their default values
7. Save the record

Important note: If there are already records configured for the domain you want to use, delete them first. This disconnects your existing website from the domain, making it inaccessible to customers. This step is necessary to successfully connect your new Direct Booking Website.

Step 3: Add a CAA DNS Record

Create another DNS record in your domain provider settings. This time, follow these instructions:

1. Select CAA as the record type
2. In the Holidu application, copy the NAME value from the CAA line
3. Paste it into the name field of the new CAA record
4. Copy the VALUE from the CAA line in the Holidu application
5. Paste this value into the value field. Note: Some providers require a special format (for example, 0 issue "http://awstrust.com"). In this case, add the value in quotation marks as specified by your provider
6. Keep the TTL and Routing policy at their default values
7. Save the record

Step 4: Wait for Holidu to Verify Your DNS Records

Return to your Holidu application dashboard. Holidu will automatically check the DNS records you've just added. This verification process typically takes around 5 minutes. Once Holidu confirms that your DNS records are properly configured, you'll be guided to the final steps of the setup.

You're getting close! Once verification is complete, Holidu will notify you and you can proceed to add the final DNS record.

Step 5: Add an ALIAS DNS Record

After Holidu verifies your domain, there's one more DNS record to add. Holidu will provide you with the specific value needed for this record.

Here's what to do:

1. Create a new DNS record in your domain provider settings
2. Select ALIAS as the record type
3. Copy the VALUE provided by Holidu for the ALIAS record
4. Paste it into the value field in your domain provider's settings
5. Save the record

Before moving forward, ensure your domain provider settings now include all three of these records:

• ALIAS
• CAA
• CNAME

All three records are essential for your Direct Booking website to function properly with your custom domain.

Step 6: Final Verification

Return to the Holidu admin interface and wait for the final domain verification. Holidu will automatically check all the DNS records you've configured. This verification may take a few minutes to complete.

Once verification is successful, you'll receive confirmation in the Holidu application. At this point, your Direct Booking website will be fully connected and accessible through your custom domain.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you encounter any issues during the domain connection process or if verification fails, we're here to help. Please use our contact form to reach out to our support team. They can assist you with DNS configuration questions and help resolve any technical issues you may experience.

Common issues include:

• DNS records taking longer than 5 minutes to propagate (DNS changes can sometimes take up to 48 hours to fully propagate globally, though it's usually much faster)
• Typos or incorrect values when copying DNS information
• Existing DNS records conflicting with new configurations
• Domain provider settings being cached—try clearing your browser cache and checking again after several minutes

Summary

Connecting your custom domain to your Holidu booking website is straightforward when you follow these steps in order. By creating the required CNAME, CAA, and ALIAS DNS records and allowing time for verification, you'll have a professional, branded booking website that's fully under your control. Congratulations on taking this important step for your property management business!