What A records and CNAME records do I need to configure to point my custom domain to a headless blog?
Root domain → A record pointing at the server IP, www → CNAME pointing at the root. Drop TTL to the lowest value before you edit to speed propagation.
To point your custom domain to your new VeloCMS headless blog, you need to create an A record that routes your root domain to our server IP address, along with a CNAME record directing 'www' traffic back to that root domain. It really is that straightforward to get your custom URL hooked up and running.
How do I actually set up these DNS records?
Log into wherever you bought your domain name — places like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare. You'll want to hunt down the DNS management zone, usually tucked away under account settings or advanced domain options. It can look intimidating with all those rows of data, but don't panic. Look for the option to add a new record. First, create your A record. Leave the host field blank (or just type an '@' symbol) and paste the VeloCMS server IP address into the destination box. Next up is the CNAME record. Type 'www' into the host field, and put your naked domain — like yourcoolsite.com — into the destination field. That setup acts like a traffic cop, making sure anyone typing 'www' before your URL doesn't end up stranded on a broken error page. One crucial piece of advice: if you see a TTL or 'Time to Live' setting, drop it down to the lowest possible number right before you make these changes. This forces the internet to catch up with your updates way faster. Just be careful not to touch your MX records while you're in there, or you might accidentally break your email routing!
Why does VeloCMS handle domains differently than WordPress?
If you're coming over from the bloated world of traditional hosting, you might be wondering why we don't just hand you a pair of nameservers and call it a day. Since VeloCMS is an AI-first platform built on the blazing speed of Next.js and the lean architecture of PocketBase, we keep things entirely headless. This means your front-end reading experience is completely decoupled from the back-end database. Pointing your A and CNAME records directly to our deployment edge lets you keep tight control over your other domain services without risking massive downtime. You get a dramatically faster, vastly more secure, and wildly cheaper setup than a clunky old WordPress installation. Because Next.js serves static pages at the edge and PocketBase handles data without heavy PHP overhead, your site survives massive traffic spikes effortlessly. You hold the keys to your DNS routing, and we take care of the heavy lifting.
How long does it take for my custom domain to start working?
DNS propagation is a bit like waiting for a rumor to spread across the globe. Sometimes your new headless blog pops up on your phone before you've even closed out of your registrar's tab. Other times, you might be refreshing your browser for up to forty-eight hours while different service providers slowly get the memo that your site moved. Usually, though, it only takes a couple of hours. If you're feeling antsy, hop onto a free online DNS checker to watch your new IP address ping across servers in different countries. Keep in mind that your own web browser might be clinging to old data. If the checker says your site is live globally but you still can't see it, try opening an incognito window or flushing your local cache.
Tying your custom domain to a headless architecture sounds overwhelming at first, but it essentially boils down to copy-pasting two lines of text. Once the internet catches up to those new A and CNAME records, readers will be cruising through your VeloCMS blog at record speeds. Don't stress if the lights don't come on the very second you hit save. Grab a coffee, give the servers a minute to chat, and get ready to enjoy an AI-first publishing experience that finally leaves the sluggishness of the past in the dust.