Update Your DNS Records to Connect Your Church Custom Domain (Website URL) To Your Church Fuel Software

Setting up CNAME records is a crucial step in connecting your Google Ads traffic to custom landing pages. While the interface for various Domain Name System (DNS) providers (like GoDaddy, Squarespace, or Wix) may look different, the underlying process is essentially the same.


Video Explanation:

The easy way: use the Setup System.


1. Log in and click Setup in the left menu.

2. Open Next Steps and choose Connect your church domain, then click Start.

3. Enter your domain and click Continue. The software checks where your DNS is hosted (for example, Google Cloud DNS) and links you to it.

4. You'll see the CNAME records to add. Click Email my tech person to send them to whoever manages your website.

5. After the records are added, click the next step, then click Check connection.

6. When the check passes, connect your landing pages to your domain. They'll show up at visit.yourchurch.org.

Need help? Use the Get help link, which goes to our support page where you can book a DNS specialist or submit a ticket.

Prefer to do it by hand, or your tech person needs the details? Use the records below.

Understanding CNAME Records

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is used to create a subdomain that points to another domain name. Despite different terminology used by various providers, every record contains three primary components:

  • Name / Host (Alias): The subdomain you are creating (e.g., "go" or "visit").
  • Target / Value: The destination domain the alias points to (e.g., brand.ludicrous.cloud).
  • TTL (Time To Live): How long DNS resolvers cache the record before checking for updates.

Required Records for Your Landing Pages

You will need to add two specific CNAME records to your DNS settings. Ensure these are entered exactly as shown below:

Record 1: Branding Subdomain

  • Type: CNAME
  • Host / Name: go           
  • Value / Data / Points to: brand.ludicrous.cloud           
  • TTL: 30 Minutes (or 1800 seconds)

Record 2: Site Subdomain

  • Type: CNAME
  • Host / Name: visit           
  • Value / Data / Points to: sites.ludicrous.cloud           
  • TTL: 30 Minutes (or 1800 seconds)

Mapping Fields Across DNS Providers

Because DNS user interfaces vary, the fields you need to fill out might have different labels. Use this mapping guide to find the correct fields for your provider:

Concept Possible Labels
Alias / Source Name Host, Name, Hostname, Alias, Record Name, Subdomain
Destination / Target Value, Data, Target, Points To, Canonical Name, Destination
Cache Time TTL, Time To Live

Provider Examples:

  • Squarespace: Uses Host, Data, and TTL.
  • GoDaddy: Uses Type, Host, Points To, and TTL.
  • Google Domains: Uses DNS Name, Type, TTL, and Data.
  • Wix: Uses Host Name, Value, and TTL.

How to Access Your DNS Settings

Your DNS settings are typically found where you purchased your domain or where your website is built .

  1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Squarespace, Wix).
  2. Navigate to the Domains dashboard.
  3. Select your specific domain name.
  4. Look for a section labeled DNS or Manage DNS Records.
  5. Click Add Record to begin entering the details provided above.

🚨 Using Church Fuel as Your Main Website

If you are a Website Track member, you will use these DNS records.

If you are not a Website Track church and use the following records, you will take down your website.

  1. A Record (for root domain):
    • Type: A
    • Host/Name: @
    • Value/IP: 162.159.140.166
    • TTL: 30 Minutes (or 1800 seconds)
  2. CNAME Record (for www or subdomain):
  3. CNAME Record

🚨 Process Alerts - Troubleshooting Ideas

  • Only use one record for each host (do not add both A and CNAME for the same host).
  • If using Cloudflare, set the record to "DNS Only" (not proxied).
  • After adding the records, allow up to 24–48 hours for DNS propagation.
  • Once your DNS is set up, Church Fuel will verify your domain and issue an SSL certificate automatically.

Need Assistance?

If you are unsure about these settings or get stuck, we offer several ways to help:


Related Articles

Transferring a Domain into Church Fuel Software

Need to buy a custom domain / url for your church?

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