Setting a primary domain is a vital step to ensure that your custom domain points correctly to your Rapyd website. Without a primary domain, visitors who use your custom domain will be redirected to your site, but the environment domain will appear in the browser’s search bar. This is not ideal for branding or professionalism and can create confusion for your users.
This guide will explain why setting a primary domain is crucial and provide step-by-step instructions to set, edit, or remove the primary domain for your website.
Primary Domain Overview
Why Setting a Primary Domain is Vital
Essential for Going Live: A primary domain ensures that your visitors see your preferred custom domain (e.g.,
yourdomain.com) in the browser, not the default environment domain (e.g.,example.ew1.rapydapps.cloud).Improved User Experience: Provides a consistent, branded URL for your website, ensuring a professional appearance.
Multiple Domains Support: If you use multiple domains, setting a primary domain helps you control which domain acts as the main access point, while others can redirect or act as alternates.
WordPress Functionality: The primary domain replaces the main domain used to access your WordPress site, including all files and attachments.
When to Set or Edit a Primary Domain
After Adding a Custom Domain: Primary domains are not set automatically, so you must assign one manually after adding a custom domain.
When Switching Domains: If you migrate to a new domain, you need to update the primary domain.
For Redirects or Multisite: Useful for managing domain redirects or for WordPress multisite networks.
Important: After setting or editing your primary domain, we recommend performing a search and replace in your database to update references to the old domain.
Identifying the Primary Domain
You can check which domain is set as the primary domain in your site’s management area:
Navigate to Settings > Domains > Custom domains.
Look for the domain marked with a Primary badge.
How to Set a Primary Domain
1. Access the Domains Area
Log into your Rapyd dashboard and go to your site’s Settings > Domains > Custom domains. This will list all domains that have been connected to your website. If you do not see any, follow the steps in this guide to take care of that first: How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Rapyd Website.
2. Select a Domain
Locate the custom domain you want to set as the primary domain. Click the three-dot menu next to the domain and select Make primary domain.
3. Confirm Your Choice
A popup will show the current primary domain and the new primary domain to be set. Review the details and click Confirm.
4. Wait for the Process to Complete
The operation will run in the background. Once complete, you’ll receive a notification, and the new primary domain will have the Primary badge.
Troubleshooting: If there’s an error during the process, contact our support team for assistance.
How to Remove a Primary Domain
1. Access the Domains Area
Log into your Rapyd dashboard and go to your site’s Settings > Domains > Custom domains. This will list all domains that have been connected to your website.
2. Select the Current Primary Domain
Locate the domain marked with the Primary badge. Click the three-dot menu and select Remove primary domain.
3. Confirm Your Choice
A popup will show the new primary domain, which will revert to the environment domain. Review the details and click Confirm.
4. Wait for the Process to Complete
Once done, you’ll receive a notification. No domains will have the Primary badge, and the environment domain will appear in the browser’s search bar until a new primary domain is set.
Notes on Removing the Primary Domain
Environment Domain: When no primary domain is set, visitors using a custom domain will still be redirected to your site, but the environment domain will display in the browser.
Setting a New Primary Domain: If you remove a primary domain, we recommend setting a new one as soon as possible for better branding and functionality.
Best Practices
Search and Replace: Always perform a search and replace after changing your primary domain to update links and references in your WordPress database.
Custom Domain Setup: Ensure that your custom domain is properly connected before setting it as the primary domain. Check out our guide to connecting a custom domain for details.
Contact Support: If you encounter errors or need help managing your domains, our support team is available to assist you.
Conclusion
Setting a primary domain is a critical step to ensure your site functions properly and professionally. It allows your custom domain to take center stage, improves user experience, and supports advanced configurations like domain redirects or WordPress multisite setups.
Follow the steps above to set or edit your primary domain, and don’t forget to update your database afterward for a seamless transition. For additional help, explore our knowledge base or reach out to support.