Adding a Custom Domain

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you need two things:

1. A deployed website on Vercel (see our "Deployment" guide).
2. A domain name purchased from a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.

Note: If you are using a university subdomain (e.g., lab.university.edu), you will need to send the DNS instructions generated in Step 3 to your university's IT department.

Vercel Settings

1. Log in to your Vercel Dashboard.
2. Click on your project (e.g., smith-lab-website).
3. Click the "Settings" tab at the top of the page.
4. Select "Domains" from the left sidebar menu.

Adding Your Domain

1. In the input field, type your domain name (e.g., smithlab.com).
2. Click "Add".
3. Vercel will ask how you want to route it. The default recommended option is usually best. Click "Save".

Configuring DNS (The Technical Part)

Once added, you will likely see an "Invalid Configuration" error. This is normal! It means you need to tell your domain provider to point to Vercel.

Vercel will display a set of values:

• Type: A Record (or CNAME)
• Name: @ (or www)
• Value: 76.76.21.21 (or similar)

Action Required:

1. Log in to where you bought your domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
2. Find the "DNS Settings" or "Manage DNS" section.
3. Create a new record using the Type, Name, and Value provided by Vercel.
4. Save changes.

Verification

DNS changes can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 24 hours to propagate (spread across the internet).

Keep the Vercel page open. Once the connection is made, the "Invalid" error will turn into a success message, and your new domain will be live!