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Custom Domains

Custom Domains - Complete Guide

Connect your own domain names to your ScaleNodes applications with automatic SSL certificates and DNS management.

Overview

Custom Domains allow you to use your own domain names (like www.yourcompany.com) instead of the default ScaleNodes URLs. SSL certificates are automatically provisioned and renewed for all custom domains.

Access Path: /dashboard/domains

Viewing Your Domains

Domains List Page

When you navigate to /dashboard/domains, you’ll see:

Search & Filter

  • Search box at the top - Search by domain name, service name, or status
  • Results filter as you type

Domain Cards

Each domain displays as a card showing:

  • Domain Name - Your custom domain (e.g., app.example.com)
  • Service - Which application this domain points to
  • Status Badge - Current state:
    • 🟢 Active - Domain is live and SSL is configured
    • 🟡 Pending - Waiting for DNS propagation
    • 🔴 Failed - DNS configuration error
    • ⚪ Verifying - Checking DNS records

Actions on Each Card

  • Visit Site - Opens the domain in a new browser tab
  • Instructions - Shows DNS configuration steps
  • Delete (trash icon) - Remove the domain

Page Actions

  • New Domain button (top right) - Add a new custom domain

Domains in “Pending” status can take 24-48 hours for DNS to fully propagate globally.

Adding a New Domain

Click New Domain to start adding your custom domain.

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

  • ✅ A registered domain name
  • ✅ Access to your domain’s DNS settings
  • ✅ A deployed service to connect the domain to

Domain Requirements

  • Can be a root domain (example.com)
  • Can be a subdomain (app.example.com, www.example.com)
  • Must be a valid domain format
  • Cannot be already in use on ScaleNodes

Step 2: Enter Domain Name

Domain Name Field

  • Enter your full domain including subdomain
  • Examples:
    • www.mysite.com
    • app.mycompany.io
    • api.example.com
    • mysite.com (root domain)

Format Validation

  • Must be a valid domain format
  • Cannot include http:// or https://
  • Cannot include paths or ports
  • Must be lowercase

Make sure your domain is pointed to ScaleNodes nameservers BEFORE adding it. See DNS configuration below.

Step 3: Select Service

Service Selection

  • Click the dropdown to see your deployed services
  • Search by typing the service name
  • Select the service this domain should point to

Service Requirements

  • Service must be in “Running” state
  • Service must be a web application
  • One domain can only point to one service
  • One service can have multiple domains

Step 4: Add Domain

Click Add Domain to create the domain configuration.

What Happens Next

  1. ScaleNodes validates the domain format
  2. Checks DNS configuration
  3. Provisions SSL certificate
  4. Configures routing to your service
  5. Status updates as DNS propagates

Initial Status

  • Usually starts as “Pending” or “Verifying”
  • Changes to “Active” once DNS is confirmed
  • May take a few minutes to several hours

DNS Configuration

Required DNS Records

To connect your domain to ScaleNodes, you need to configure DNS records at your domain registrar.

CNAME Record

If using a subdomain like app.example.com or www.example.com:

TypeNameValueTTL
CNAMEappyour-service.scalenodes.app3600

Example for app.example.com

  • Type: CNAME
  • Name: app (or app.example.com depending on your DNS provider)
  • Value: your-service-abc123.scalenodes.app
  • TTL: 3600 (or Auto)

For Root Domains

A Record (if your DNS provider doesn’t support ALIAS/ANAME)

TypeNameValueTTL
A@123.45.67.893600

ALIAS/ANAME Record (preferred if supported)

TypeNameValueTTL
ALIAS@your-service.scalenodes.app3600

Contact ScaleNodes support to get the correct IP address or CNAME target for your service.

Cloudflare

Log in to Cloudflare

Go to dash.cloudflare.com  and select your domain.

Add DNS Record

  1. Click DNS in the sidebar
  2. Click Add record
  3. Select record type (CNAME for subdomains)
  4. Enter name (e.g., app)
  5. Enter target (your ScaleNodes service URL)
  6. Set Proxy status to DNS only (gray cloud)
  7. Click Save

Verify

Wait 5-10 minutes and check domain status in ScaleNodes dashboard.

Namecheap

Log in to Namecheap

Go to namecheap.com  and navigate to Domain List.

Manage DNS

  1. Click Manage next to your domain
  2. Go to Advanced DNS tab
  3. Click Add New Record

Add Record

  1. Select CNAME Record
  2. Host: app (for app.example.com)
  3. Value: your-service.scalenodes.app
  4. TTL: Automatic
  5. Click Save

Verify

Wait 10-30 minutes for propagation, then check ScaleNodes dashboard.

GoDaddy

Log in to GoDaddy

Go to godaddy.com  and access your domain settings.

DNS Management

  1. Click DNS or Manage DNS
  2. Scroll to DNS Records
  3. Click Add button

Configure Record

  1. Type: CNAME
  2. Name: app
  3. Value: your-service.scalenodes.app
  4. TTL: 1 Hour
  5. Click Save

Verify

Wait 10-60 minutes, then check domain status in ScaleNodes.

Domain Management

Viewing Domain Details

Click Instructions on any domain card to see:

DNS Configuration

  • Required DNS records
  • Current DNS status
  • Propagation status

SSL Certificate

  • Certificate status
  • Expiration date
  • Auto-renewal status

Service Connection

  • Which service the domain points to
  • Service status
  • Last verified timestamp

Checking Domain Status

Active 🟢

  • DNS is correctly configured
  • SSL certificate is issued
  • Domain is serving traffic
  • Everything working correctly

Pending 🟡

  • DNS records are being verified
  • Waiting for propagation
  • Can take 24-48 hours
  • Check back later

Verifying ⚪

  • ScaleNodes is checking DNS
  • Usually resolves in minutes
  • May need DNS record adjustment

Failed 🔴

  • DNS configuration error
  • Incorrect DNS records
  • Domain not pointed correctly
  • Check instructions and fix DNS

Updating Domain Configuration

Change Target Service

To point a domain to a different service:

  1. Delete the existing domain
  2. Add it again with the new service selected

Update DNS Records

If you need to change DNS:

  1. Update records at your DNS provider
  2. Wait for propagation (up to 48 hours)
  3. Domain status will update automatically

Removing a Domain

Click Delete Icon

Click the trash icon on the domain card.

Confirm Deletion

A confirmation dialog appears - confirm you want to remove the domain.

Domain Removed

  • Domain is immediately removed from ScaleNodes
  • SSL certificate is revoked
  • Traffic stops routing to your service
  • DNS records remain at your provider (you may want to delete them)

Removing a domain makes it immediately inaccessible. Make sure you have a backup plan if this domain is in production.

Common Workflows

Adding www and Root Domain

Many sites want both example.com and www.example.com to work.

Add www Subdomain

  1. Click New Domain
  2. Enter www.example.com
  3. Select your service
  4. Click Add Domain

Configure DNS

Add CNAME record:

  • Type: CNAME
  • Name: www
  • Value: your-service.scalenodes.app

Add Root Domain

  1. Click New Domain again
  2. Enter example.com
  3. Select the same service
  4. Click Add Domain

Configure Root DNS

Add A or ALIAS record:

  • Type: A (or ALIAS if supported)
  • Name: @
  • Value: (IP address or service URL)

Verify Both

Both domains should show “Active” status and route to your service.

Migrating from Another Host

Deploy on ScaleNodes

  1. Deploy your application on ScaleNodes first
  2. Test using the default ScaleNodes URL
  3. Ensure everything works correctly

Add Domain (Don’t Update DNS Yet)

  1. Add your domain in ScaleNodes dashboard
  2. Note the DNS instructions
  3. Don’t update DNS yet - keep traffic on old host

Test with Hosts File

Test the domain locally before switching:

On Mac/Linux

sudo nano /etc/hosts

On Windows

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Add line:

123.45.67.89 yourdomain.com

Test in browser - should show ScaleNodes version.

Update DNS

Once confirmed working:

  1. Update DNS records at your provider
  2. Point to ScaleNodes
  3. Wait for propagation

Monitor

  • Check domain status in ScaleNodes
  • Monitor traffic
  • Verify SSL is working
  • Test all functionality

Remove Hosts Entry

Remove the test entry from your hosts file.

SSL Certificates

Automatic SSL

ScaleNodes automatically provisions SSL certificates for all custom domains using Let’s Encrypt.

Features

  • ✅ Free SSL certificates
  • ✅ Automatic issuance
  • ✅ Auto-renewal (every 60 days)
  • ✅ Wildcard support (contact support)
  • ✅ TLS 1.2 and 1.3 support

Timeline

  • Certificate issued within 5-10 minutes of DNS verification
  • Renewal happens automatically 30 days before expiration
  • No action required from you

Certificate Status

Check SSL status on the domain instructions page:

Issued ✅

  • Certificate is active
  • HTTPS is working
  • Auto-renewal enabled

Pending ⏳

  • Waiting for DNS verification
  • Certificate will be issued soon

Failed ❌

  • DNS verification failed
  • Check DNS configuration
  • May need to re-add domain

Force HTTPS

All traffic is automatically redirected from HTTP to HTTPS. No configuration needed.

Troubleshooting

Domain Stuck on “Pending”

Symptoms: Status shows “Pending” for more than 48 hours

Solutions:

  1. Verify DNS records are correct
  2. Check DNS propagation: whatsmydns.net 
  3. Ensure TTL isn’t too high (should be 3600 or less)
  4. Try deleting and re-adding the domain
  5. Contact support if issue persists

”DNS Configuration Error”

Symptoms: Status shows “Failed” with DNS error

Solutions:

  1. Double-check DNS records match instructions exactly
  2. Ensure CNAME points to correct ScaleNodes URL
  3. For root domains, verify A record IP is correct
  4. Remove any conflicting DNS records
  5. Disable CDN/proxy (like Cloudflare orange cloud) temporarily

SSL Certificate Not Working

Symptoms: Browser shows “Not Secure” or certificate error

Solutions:

  1. Wait 10-15 minutes after DNS propagation
  2. Check domain status is “Active”
  3. Clear browser cache and try incognito mode
  4. Verify DNS is pointing to ScaleNodes
  5. Check for mixed content warnings in browser console

Domain Shows Wrong Content

Symptoms: Domain loads but shows wrong application or 404

Solutions:

  1. Verify domain is connected to correct service
  2. Check service is running
  3. Clear browser cache
  4. Check service logs for routing errors
  5. Verify application is configured to handle the domain

www vs Non-www Issues

Symptoms: One version works but not the other

Solutions:

  1. Add both versions as separate domains
  2. Ensure both DNS records are configured
  3. Both should point to the same service
  4. Check both show “Active” status
  5. Test both URLs in incognito mode

Best Practices

DNS Configuration

  • ✅ Use CNAME for subdomains (more flexible)
  • ✅ Set TTL to 3600 or lower for easier updates
  • ✅ Document your DNS configuration
  • ✅ Use DNS provider with fast propagation
  • ✅ Keep DNS provider login credentials secure

Domain Management

  • ✅ Add both www and non-www versions
  • ✅ Test domains before switching production traffic
  • ✅ Monitor SSL certificate expiration (though auto-renewed)
  • ✅ Keep domain registrar contact info updated
  • ✅ Set domain auto-renewal at registrar

Security

  • ✅ Enable domain privacy at registrar
  • ✅ Use strong passwords for DNS provider
  • ✅ Enable 2FA on domain registrar account
  • ✅ Monitor for unauthorized DNS changes
  • ✅ Keep WHOIS information private

Performance

  • ✅ Use CDN for static assets
  • ✅ Enable caching headers in your application
  • ✅ Monitor domain response times
  • ✅ Use multiple domains for different environments (staging, production)

Advanced Topics

Multiple Domains for One Service

You can point multiple domains to the same service:

  1. Add each domain separately
  2. Configure DNS for each
  3. All domains serve the same content
  4. Useful for:
    • www and non-www
    • Multiple TLDs (.com, .io, .net)
    • Regional domains
    • Rebranding transitions

Subdomain Strategy

Development: dev.example.com Staging: staging.example.com Production: www.example.com or example.com API: api.example.com Admin: admin.example.com

Each can point to different ScaleNodes services.

Domain Transfer

If transferring a domain to a new registrar:

  1. Keep DNS records unchanged during transfer
  2. Transfer domain at registrar
  3. Update DNS at new registrar if needed
  4. No changes needed in ScaleNodes

Next Steps

Need help configuring DNS or troubleshooting domain issues? Contact our support team with your domain name and service ID.

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