Deployment 10 min read Beginner Guide

Netlify Site Setup: Custom Domain Guide

Configure your is-pro.dev free subdomain with Netlify. Complete DNS setup, deployment configuration, and SSL/HTTPS for your Netlify site.

Written by Mayank Baswal

Founder of is-cool-me · DNS & Platform Infrastructure

Mayank Baswal maintains the is-cool-me platform and writes technical guides focused on DNS configuration, subdomain infrastructure, SSL troubleshooting, deployment workflows, and platform reliability.

GitHub Profile Contact
Reviewed by is-cool-me Technical Review

Netlify Site Setup: Custom Domain Guide

Netlify is one of the most developer-friendly hosting platforms, offering continuous deployment, serverless functions, and form handling. While Netlify provides *.netlify.app subdomains, using a custom domain makes your project stand out. This guide shows you how to point your free is-pro.dev subdomain to any Netlify site.

Benefits of a Custom Domain on Netlify

A custom domain transforms your site from a generic Netlify URL to a branded web presence. Whether you are hosting a landing page, a JAMstack application, or a documentation site, a domain like app.is-pro.dev communicates professionalism and attention to detail. Combined with Netlify's automatic HTTPS and deployment previews, you get a world-class hosting setup at zero cost.

Prerequisites

  • A Netlify account with a deployed site
  • Your Netlify site's default domain (e.g., random-name-123456.netlify.app)
  • A registered is-pro.dev subdomain

Step 1: Get Your Netlify Site Domain

Log into Netlify and go to Site Settings → Domain Management. Copy your Netlify-assigned domain name (it ends with .netlify.app). You will need this for your DNS configuration. If you have a team site, the domain format may be slightly different, but the setup process remains the same.

Step 2: Register Your Free Subdomain

Visit dash.is-pro.dev and sign in with GitHub. Register the subdomain you want to use for your Netlify site. Choose something descriptive like portfolio.is-pro.dev or docs.is-pro.dev. The registration is instant and free.

Step 3: Add DNS Records

In your DNS management dashboard, add a CNAME record pointing your subdomain to your Netlify site domain. For example, if your subdomain is my-site.is-pro.dev and your Netlify domain is random-name-123456.netlify.app, the CNAME should have the name my-site (or leave blank if using the root) and the target random-name-123456.netlify.app.

If you want the www subdomain to also work, add another CNAME record for www pointing to the same Netlify domain.

Step 4: Configure Netlify

Go to your Netlify site dashboard → Site Settings → Domain Management → Custom Domains. Click "Add a domain" and enter your full is-pro.dev subdomain. Netlify will automatically verify the DNS configuration. If it detects the CNAME record, it will show a green checkmark. If not, wait a few minutes and refresh.

Step 5: Enable Netlify SSL

Netlify automatically provisions Let's Encrypt certificates for custom domains. Once your domain is verified, Netlify will handle the SSL certificate generation and renewal automatically. You can check the certificate status under Domain Management → HTTPS. Enable "Force HTTPS" to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.

Performance Optimization

Netlify's global CDN will serve your site from the nearest edge node to your visitors. To maximize performance, enable Netlify's asset optimization features: CSS/JS minification, image compression, and smart redirects. Combined with Cloudflare's CDN (if proxying through is-pro.dev's Cloudflare), your site will load quickly worldwide.

Troubleshooting

Netlify shows "Awaiting external DNS": This means your CNAME record is not propagated yet. DNS changes can take a few minutes to propagate. Double-check that your CNAME targets the full Netlify domain including .netlify.app.

SSL certificate fails: Ensure your CNAME record is a flat CNAME (not a CNAME flattening or ALIAS record). Netlify needs a standard CNAME for certificate verification.

Site not loading: Check that your Netlify deployment succeeded and your site is not in draft mode. Verify the CNAME record with dig your-subdomain.is-pro.dev CNAME.

FAQ

Q: Can I use Netlify's split testing with a custom domain?

A: Yes, custom domains work with all Netlify features including split testing, branch subdomains, and deploy previews.

Q: Will my Netlify Forms still work?

A: Yes, Netlify Forms work independently of your domain configuration. No changes needed.

Q: How do I set up a redirect from www to my subdomain?

A: In your Netlify dashboard, add a redirect rule: http://www.your-subdomain.is-pro.dev/* https://your-subdomain.is-pro.dev/:splat 301.

Conclusion

Connecting your free is-pro.dev subdomain to Netlify takes just a few minutes. Register your subdomain, add a CNAME record, configure it in Netlify, and your site is live with automatic HTTPS. This combination gives you a professional, fast, and free hosting solution.