Mastering Hubspot Domain Setup

Connecting a domain to Hubspot is essential if you want your website, blog, landing pages, and email tools to run under a professional, branded URL. This guide walks you through every step of the domain connection process so you can publish content and track performance without technical confusion.

What You Need Before Connecting a Domain to Hubspot

Before you start the connection process inside Hubspot, check these prerequisites to avoid errors and delays.

You must be a Super Admin or have Domain settings permissions.
Your domain must be registered and active with a DNS provider (for example, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare).
You need access to DNS settings where you can add or edit CNAME and A records.
Any existing website or blog hosted on the same subdomain should be backed up before switching traffic to Hubspot.

Once these requirements are met, you can safely connect your domain to Hubspot and start routing traffic to your new content.

Understanding Domain Types in Hubspot

Hubspot lets you connect different types of domains depending on how you plan to use its tools. Knowing which type you need helps you configure DNS correctly.

Primary Domains in Hubspot

A primary domain is the main domain used for a specific content type. For example, you might choose www.yourcompany.com as the primary domain for website pages.

In Hubspot, you can set separate primary domains for:

Website pages
Landing pages
Blog posts
Knowledge base
Email web versions and subscription pages

Only one primary domain can be selected per content tool, but you can change the primary selection at any time from domain settings.

Secondary Domains in Hubspot

Secondary domains are connected to Hubspot so you can host content on them, but they are not set as the primary address for a tool. For instance, you could use events.yourcompany.com as a secondary domain for landing pages or campaigns.

Secondary domains are useful when:

You manage multiple brands.
You run dedicated campaign microsites.
You need language or region-specific domains.

Redirect Domains in Hubspot

Redirect domains send visitors from one domain to another without hosting content directly on Hubspot under that address. For example, you might redirect oldsite.com to www.yourcompany.com.

Use redirect domains when you:

Rebrand or change domain names.
Migrate sites into Hubspot from older platforms.
Want simple vanity URLs that forward to primary content.

Email Sending Domains in Hubspot

To improve email deliverability and align with your brand, you can connect an email sending domain. Hubspot uses DNS records to verify that it is allowed to send email on behalf of your domain.

This typically involves adding DKIM and related TXT records in your DNS provider. Once verified, marketing emails and some transactional messages will show your domain instead of a generic shared sending domain.

How to Connect a New Domain in Hubspot

Follow these steps inside your Hubspot account to connect a domain for website, landing pages, or blog hosting.

1. Open the Domain Settings in Hubspot

Sign in to your account.
Click the settings icon in the main navigation.
In the left sidebar, go to Website > Domains & URLs.
Select Connect a domain to launch the domain connection wizard.

2. Choose the Content Type for Hubspot Hosting

Hubspot will ask what you plan to host on the new domain. Options can include:

Website pages
Landing pages
Blog
Knowledge base
Email web version and subscription pages

Select all content types you want to associate with this domain. This choice determines how Hubspot will use the domain once DNS is configured.

3. Enter the Domain and Subdomain

You will then specify the exact address you want to connect. Common examples include:

www.yourcompany.com for your main site.
info.yourcompany.com for a resource center.
offers.yourcompany.com for landing pages.

Enter the subdomain and root domain exactly as they appear in your DNS provider. Hubspot will display a preview and confirm the domain format.

4. Review DNS Instructions from Hubspot

After you submit the domain, Hubspot automatically generates DNS records you need to add with your DNS provider. Typically, you will see a combination of:

CNAME records for subdomains such as www or info.
A records if you are pointing a root domain like yourcompany.com.
Additional verification records so Hubspot can confirm domain ownership.

Leave the Hubspot window open while you sign in to your DNS provider in a separate tab.

5. Add DNS Records at Your Provider

In your registrar or DNS host, locate the DNS or Zone File section. Then:

Create or edit the records exactly as shown in the Hubspot wizard.
Match the Host or Name, Type, and Value (or Points to) fields.
Save each record and make sure there are no conflicting old records pointing the same host to different IPs or CNAME targets.

DNS changes can take time to propagate on the internet. Most providers update within minutes, but some may take several hours.

6. Verify the Domain Connection in Hubspot

Return to the domain connection wizard and click to check the DNS status. Hubspot will verify that the required records are in place.

When verification succeeds, you will see the domain listed under Connected domains in your settings. At this point, you can set it as a primary, secondary, or redirect domain, depending on your strategy.

Managing Existing Domains in Hubspot

After you connect domains, Hubspot gives you flexible options to manage how each address is used for content and redirects.

Setting Primary and Secondary Domains

In Website > Domains & URLs, you can change which domain is primary for each content type:

Use the dropdown next to each connected domain to set it as Primary or Secondary.
Assign different primary domains for website, blog, landing pages, and knowledge base if needed.
Ensure that any important public content is attached to the correct primary domain for SEO and user experience.

Configuring URL Redirects

Hubspot includes built-in redirect tools so you can keep users and search engines on the right pages after structural changes.

Create simple 301 redirects when you change URLs.
Use flexible pattern-based redirects for large migrations.
Combine redirect domains with URL rules to consolidate traffic from legacy URLs.

These options help maintain search visibility and prevent visitors from encountering broken links.

Connecting an Email Sending Domain in Hubspot

If you send marketing email, connecting an email sending domain improves deliverability and brand consistency.

In settings, go to Website > Domains & URLs and open the Email sending domains section.
Click Connect email sending domain and follow the prompts.
Hubspot displays TXT and CNAME records for DKIM and related authentication.
Add these records at your DNS provider and return to verify the configuration.

Once verification succeeds, Hubspot can send messages aligned with your domain, which helps inbox providers trust your campaigns.

Tips for a Smooth Hubspot Domain Connection

To reduce downtime and avoid misconfigurations when connecting domains to Hubspot, keep these best practices in mind:

Plan the change during low-traffic hours if you are moving an existing site.
Document old DNS records so you can roll back in an emergency.
Confirm SSL status in the domains settings after connection; Hubspot automatically provisions certificates for connected domains.
Test key URLs, forms, and landing pages after the domain switch.

Additional Resources for Hubspot Domain Setup

If you want to go deeper, review the official product documentation and external guidance.

Official instructions: Connect a domain to Hubspot.
Implementation help and consulting: visit Consultevo for CRM and marketing operations support.

By following the steps in this guide and the official documentation, you can confidently connect, verify, and manage domains inside Hubspot for websites, blogs, landing pages, and email sending, all under a secure and consistent brand identity.

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