Point Your Domain to Your Shop Page
Follow the steps below to connect your domain (e.g., customdomain.com) to your Trusted Local Auto shop listing. SSL is set up for you automatically.
The DNS Record You Need to Add
Regardless of your registrar, you will add a CNAME record that points your domain to Trusted Local Auto. Here are the exact values to use:
Note on root domain (@ / bare domain): Some registrars do not support a CNAME on the root domain. If yours rejects it, look for an ALIAS or ANAME record type — these work the same way. Alternatively, you can skip the root record and only add the www CNAME; visitors who type customdomain.com (without www) will need to use www.customdomain.com instead, or contact us and we can advise on the best option for your registrar.
Already have a website? Adding these records will redirect your domain to your Trusted Local Auto shop page. If you want to keep an existing site on a different path, contact us before making changes so we can help plan the transition.
Step-by-Step Instructions by Registrar
Find your domain registrar below and follow the steps. If yours is not listed, the process is similar — look for your domain's DNS settings and add a CNAME record with the values above.
GoDaddyDNS Setup Instructions
- 1
Log in to your GoDaddy account and go to My Products.
- 2
Find your domain and click the DNS button next to it.
- 3
Click Add under the DNS Records section.
- 4
Set Type to CNAME.
- 5
In the Host field, enter www.
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In the Points to field, enter trustedlocalauto.com
- 7
Set TTL to 1 Hour (or the default).
- 8
Click Save.
- 9
Also add a second record: Type = CNAME, Host = @ (or the bare domain if supported), Points to = trustedlocalauto.com.
GoDaddy may label the "Host" field as "Name". Use www for the subdomain record.
NamecheapDNS Setup Instructions
- 1
Log in to Namecheap and click Domain List in the left sidebar.
- 2
Click Manage next to your domain.
- 3
Select the Advanced DNS tab.
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Under Host Records, click Add New Record.
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Set Record Type to CNAME Record.
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In the Host field, enter www.
- 7
In the Value field, enter trustedlocalauto.com
- 8
Set TTL to Automatic.
- 9
Click the green checkmark to save.
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Repeat to add a second CNAME record with Host set to @ for the root domain.
Namecheap calls the destination field "Value" rather than "Points to". Both mean the same thing.
CloudflareDNS Setup Instructions
- 1
Log in to the Cloudflare dashboard and select your account.
- 2
Click on the domain you want to configure.
- 3
Go to DNS > Records in the left sidebar.
- 4
Click Add record.
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Set Type to CNAME.
- 6
In the Name field, enter www.
- 7
In the Target field, enter trustedlocalauto.com
- 8
Important: Toggle the Proxy status to DNS only (grey cloud). This is required so your domain reaches our servers correctly.
- 9
Click Save.
- 10
Add a second CNAME record with Name set to @ (root domain), same Target, same Proxy status (DNS only).
Cloudflare proxies traffic by default (orange cloud). You must switch to DNS only (grey cloud) for your custom domain to work with Trusted Local Auto.
What Happens After You Save the Records
DNS propagation takes time
After saving your DNS records, changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to take effect worldwide. This is normal and depends on your registrar and the TTL (Time-to-Live) setting on the record.
SSL / HTTPS is set up automatically
Once your domain points to Trusted Local Auto and DNS has propagated, we automatically provision a TLS certificate so your domain loads securely over HTTPS. You do not need to purchase or configure an SSL certificate — we handle everything.
Your shop page goes live on your domain
Visitors who type your domain (e.g., customdomain.com) into their browser will see your Trusted Local Auto shop page, complete with your branding, services, and appointment form — all at your own web address.
Let us know when you're done
Once you've saved your DNS records, email us at domains@trustedlocalauto.com with your domain and shop name. We'll verify the connection on our end and confirm when everything is live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a domain first?
Yes. You will need to own the domain you want to connect. You can purchase a domain from any registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or Cloudflare. Once you own the domain, follow the steps above to point it to your shop page.
What is a CNAME record?
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS entry that maps one domain name to another. By adding a CNAME pointing to trustedlocalauto.com, you tell the internet that when someone visits your domain, they should be sent to Trusted Local Auto's servers — which then serve your shop page.
Why does DNS take up to 48 hours?
The internet is made up of thousands of DNS servers around the world. When you make a change, each server needs time to receive and cache the updated information. Most visitors will see the change within a few hours, but in rare cases it can take up to 48 hours for propagation to complete globally.
Will my email stop working?
If you are using email addresses at your domain (e.g., service@customdomain.com), adding or changing CNAME records should not affect your email, as long as you do not delete or modify your existing MX records. If you are unsure, check with your email provider before making DNS changes.
Can I use a subdomain like shop.customdomain.com?
Yes. Instead of using @ (root) and www as the Host values, you would enter shop (or whichever subdomain you choose) and point it to trustedlocalauto.com. Contact us at support@trustedlocalauto.com and we will help configure your listing accordingly.
What if I'm not sure who my registrar is?
You can look up your domain's registrar by visiting a WHOIS lookup tool (e.g., whois.com or lookup.icann.org) and entering your domain name. The registrar is listed in the results. Log in to that registrar to manage your DNS.
Need Help? We've Got You.
If you get stuck at any point, reach out and we will walk you through it. Custom domain setup is part of your Premium listing.
domains@trustedlocalauto.com · Typical reply within 1 business day