Overview
Connecting a custom domain lets visitors reach your site at an address you own, like yourcompany.com, instead of your default Levamo URL. Levamo manages all custom domains through its Cloudflare integration, so every connected domain gets enterprise-grade DNS, CDN, and security by default.
When you add a domain, Levamo detects your current DNS setup and offers two connection paths: updating your nameservers at your registrar, or connecting through the Cloudflare API if your domain is already on Cloudflare. If you use the API method, you'll also choose whether Levamo or you manage Cloudflare for that domain, and this choice determines whether Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare features apply.
In this article, you will find what to have ready before you start and step-by-step instructions for connecting your domain using either method.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
An active Levamo site: The site you want to connect the domain to
A purchased domain name: Ready to configure
Access to your domain registrar or DNS provider: For example, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, or Namecheap
A copy of your current DNS records (recommended): Levamo automatically scans and imports your existing records when you connect a domain, but in rare cases the automated scan can miss a record. Exporting your records from your registrar or DNS provider first gives you a reference to check against, and lets you add anything missing after the connection completes.
Note:
You cannot add a subdomain, such as blog.yourdomain.com, until the parent domain (yourdomain.com) is already connected to your Levamo site. Contact our support team if you have questions about this.
What you'll get
Once your domain is connected, Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare stack activates automatically:
Global Cloudflare CDN: Static content is cached and delivered from edge servers worldwide, improving speed and reliability for every visitor
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Adds an automatic security layer against malicious attacks to every connected domain
Full Page Caching (FPC): Serves entire pages from the edge without hitting your origin server on every request
Simplified DNS management: Manage all DNS records directly within the Levamo dashboard, with no need to juggle multiple platforms
Faster support for DNS issues: With DNS records visible in your dashboard, our support team can diagnose and resolve problems quickly, minimizing downtime
Note:
If you connect via the Cloudflare API and choose Managed in my Cloudflare account, Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare features (CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching) will not be available for this domain. All Cloudflare-edge configuration stays under your control in your own Cloudflare dashboard. See the Guide to Custom Domains for a full comparison.
How to connect a custom domain
Step 1: Navigate to domain settings
Sign in to your Levamo account at my.levamo.com
Go to Sites and select the site you want to connect your domain to
Click Manage, then open the Domains tab
Click + Add domain
Step 2: Enter your domain
In the pop-up, enter your domain name (for example,
yourdomain.com)WWW preference: Choose whether visitors should land on the naked domain (
yourdomain.com) or the www version (www.yourdomain.com)Redirect behavior: Toggle whether the non-preferred version should redirect to your primary choice or remain inaccessible
Tip:
If Levamo already manages your domain, for example from a previous setup, the system auto-validates without requiring manual DNS configuration. You can skip ahead to Step 4 to verify your domain status.
Step 3: Connect your domain
After entering your domain, Levamo presents two connection paths. Follow the section below that matches your situation.
Path A: Your domain is managed at your registrar (nameserver delegation)
Use this path if your domain is registered with a provider other than Cloudflare, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Hostinger. This method delegates full DNS control to Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare setup by updating your domain's nameservers.
Get the Levamo Cloudflare nameservers:
After clicking Add domain, the system displays a pair of Cloudflare nameservers assigned to your domain. This can take up to 1 to 2 minutes.
Copy both nameserver addresses.
Update nameservers at your registrar:
Log in to your domain registrar
Navigate to your domain's DNS or nameserver settings
Replace the existing nameservers with the two Levamo-provided Cloudflare nameservers
Save your changes
For registrar-specific instructions, see Nameservers and how to change them.
Note:
Nameserver changes typically take a few minutes to a few hours to propagate globally, though in rare cases it can take up to 24 hours.
Path B: Your domain is managed on Cloudflare (API integration)
Use this path if your domain is already managed by Cloudflare, or if you create a free Cloudflare account to manage it. This method uses the Cloudflare API to automate DNS record management, so no nameserver change is required.
Don't have a Cloudflare account? You can create one for free at cloudflare.com. Add your domain to Cloudflare, then return to this step. This is the recommended approach for most customers and only takes a few minutes.
When you connect via API, the Levamo wizard presents a Connect your Cloudflare account section where you paste your API token, followed by a Cloudflare settings section where you choose who manages Cloudflare for this domain.
Generate a Cloudflare API token:
Log in to your Cloudflare account
Go to My Profile > API Tokens > Create Token. Make sure you are creating a User API token.
Use the Edit zone DNS template
Under Permissions, click + Add more and add Zone > SSL and Certificates > Edit
Under Zone Resources, select Include > Specific zone and choose your domain
Click Continue to summary, then Create Token
Copy the generated token
Paste the token in Levamo:
Back in the Levamo dashboard, locate the Cloudflare API token panel inside the Connect your Cloudflare account section
Paste your Cloudflare API token into the token field
Choose who manages Cloudflare:
Below the token panel, select one of the two options:
Managed by Levamo (default, recommended): Levamo manages all Cloudflare settings for your domain, including DNS, CDN, security, and Full Page Caching. You get Levamo's full Enterprise-grade Cloudflare feature set.
Managed in my Cloudflare account: You keep full control of your Cloudflare zone. Levamo only maintains the core DNS records needed to route your domain to your site. Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare features (CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching) will not be available for this domain.
Click Add domain to finish.
Levamo validates the token and begins managing your domain based on the mode you selected. This typically happens within moments. When it's done, you'll be redirected to the Domains area for your site.
Tip:
If you want Levamo to handle everything and get the full Enterprise-grade Cloudflare feature set, choose Managed by Levamo. If you run your own Cloudflare configuration (custom Page Rules, Workers, WAF rules, and so on) and want to keep it untouched, choose Managed in my Cloudflare account.
See the Guide to Custom Domains for a full comparison.
Step 4: Verify your domain status
After completing either Path A or Path B, return to the Domains tab in your site's dashboard to check the connection status:
Status | Meaning | What to do |
Active | Domain is fully connected and serving your Levamo site | Nothing, you're all set |
Pending Validation | DNS changes are still propagating, or a step is incomplete | Click Configure DNS to review your settings, or wait for propagation to complete |
Expired | The connection timed out, or there's an issue with domain registration or SSL | Re-initiate the setup from your dashboard or contact support |
You can also verify propagation externally using a tool like What's My DNS.
Step 5: Confirm your site is live
Once the status shows Active:
Open a browser and navigate to your custom domain
Confirm that your Levamo site loads correctly
Test both the www and non-www versions to ensure redirects are working as expected
If your domain is not connecting or you experience any issues, reach out to our support team via live chat or at [email protected].
Important information
Keep the following in mind when connecting a custom domain:
Subdomains require the parent domain to be connected first. Adding a subdomain before its parent domain triggers a "Parent domain required" error.
Nameserver propagation is typically fast, usually a few minutes to a few hours, but can take up to 24 hours in rare cases. Cloudflare API connections validate almost immediately.
Both connection methods, Cloudflare nameservers and Cloudflare API with Managed by Levamo, activate the same Enterprise Cloudflare stack. Only the Managed in my Cloudflare account option excludes Levamo's CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching.
Switching between the nameserver and API methods later isn't a self-service action in the dashboard. Contact our support team if you need to change your connection method.
FAQ
Can I switch between the Cloudflare API and Cloudflare NS methods?
There's no self-service option to switch in the dashboard. If you initially connected via nameservers and want to move to the API method, or the other way around, contact our support team for help.
What's the difference between "Managed by Levamo" and "Managed in my Cloudflare account"?
Both options require a Cloudflare API token, but they differ in who manages Cloudflare afterward. With Managed by Levamo, the default, Levamo manages all Cloudflare settings for your domain, including DNS, CDN, security, and Full Page Caching, all from the Levamo dashboard.
With Managed in my Cloudflare account, you keep full control of your Cloudflare zone yourself, and Levamo only maintains the core DNS records needed to route your domain to your site. See the Guide to Custom Domains for a full comparison.
How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?
With the Cloudflare API method, changes are typically instant. With the nameserver method, propagation usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours in rare cases.
What happens if I don't complete the DNS setup?
Your domain status shows as Pending Validation and won't serve your Levamo site until the connection is finalized.
Do all connection options give me CDN, WAF, and caching?
Not quite. The Cloudflare Nameservers method and the Cloudflare API Managed by Levamo option both activate the full Levamo Enterprise Cloudflare stack, including CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching. The Cloudflare API Managed in your Cloudflare account option does not include these features, since Levamo does not manage Cloudflare for the domain in that case.
I see a "Parent domain required" error. What does that mean?
This appears when you try to add a subdomain, such as blog.yourdomain.com, before the parent domain (yourdomain.com) is connected. Add and verify the parent domain first, then add the subdomain.
My domain shows "Expired" in the dashboard. What should I do?
This usually means the connection timed out before DNS was validated, or there's an issue with your domain's registration or SSL. Re-initiate the domain setup from the dashboard. If the issue persists, contact our support team.
How do I check if my DNS changes are working?
Use a tool like What's My DNS or dig to verify propagation, or click Configure DNS in your Levamo dashboard to review the current state.
My site isn't loading after connecting the domain. Why?
Make sure DNS propagation is complete and that you followed all steps for your chosen connection method. If you used the nameserver method, double-check that both nameservers were entered correctly at your registrar.
Conclusion
Connecting a custom domain takes your Levamo site live at the address your visitors expect, and it automatically activates Levamo's Enterprise Cloudflare stack. If you run into any issues during setup, our support team is available 24/7 to help.