To publish your landing page to your subdomain, you need to add it to your account, redirect it via the DNS records and assign it to your landing page. A free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate will be automatically installed for your subdomain when you add it to your account.
This guide will show you how to set up a domain registered via HostGator. You can redirect your domain through cPanel. To activate your cPanel in Hostgator, you need an active hosting package. Before you manage the DNS records, add the domain in Smartpages.
Redirect your root domain in cPanel
- Log in to the HostGator portal and go to Hosting. Find your domain on the list and go to cPanel.
- Click on Domains (1) and go to the Simple Zone Editor (2).
- Add one CNAME record.
Edit the Name field and copy the CNAME field. Paste the values to your CNAME record.
- Name: type in your new subdomain name, e.g., portfolio for portfolio.yourdomain.com, the system will automatically fill in the root domain name
Type CNAME
Redirect a www subdomain in cPanel – www
Before you start, read tips on redirecting a www subdomain with A and CNAME records.
- Log in to HostGator portal and go to Hosting. Find your domain on the list and go to cPanel..
- Click on Domains (1) and go to the Advanced Zone Editor (2).
- To redirect a www subdomain, you need two DNS records (CNAME and A).
Verify whether you already have the A record or a www CNAME record. If yes, edit their values. If you don’t see these records, add new ones.
Type CNAME: www.yourdomain.com.
Type in 14400 for the TTL section. Edit the Name field for the A record and copy other fields. Paste them to your A and CNAME records.
- Name for A record: type in your domain name
- Dot: add a dot at the end of the name for A record
Type A
Name: www
Type CNAME
Finish the configuration in Smartpages
When you’re ready, go back to Smartpages and click on Confirm/Finish.
Once you’ve added the subdomain to your account, our system will verify whether the DNS redirections have been done correctly. During this time, an hourglass icon will be visible next to the domain with the information that the domain is being verified. Usually, the domain will be active a few hours after adding it, but the total waiting time depends on the number of domains in our system waiting in the queue to install the certificate. We will email you when the domain is installed correctly.
A green globe icon indicates an active domain. You can assign it to your landing page.
In some cases, you have to wait between 1 and 24 hours for the records to propagate.
