Connection Card Pro Help & Documentation




Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025 5:10 PM

Setting Up a Custom Domain Name for Your Website

Connect a domain you already own (like www.yourchurch.org) to your Connection Card Pro website, keep email working, and understand what to expect during DNS propagation.

Menu path: Web & App  Domain Names

1) Before You Start

  • A website created in Web & App > Website.
  • A domain name at a registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace Domains, etc.).
If your domain already handles email (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace), copy your current MX (and any TXT/CNAME) records before changing nameservers so you can re-add them later.

2) Add Your Domain in Connection Card Pro

  1. Go to Web & App > Domain Names
  2. Click Add New / Add Domain Name.
  3. Enter your domain (e.g., yourchurch.org or www.yourchurch.org).
  4. Select the target Website and click Save Domain.

Security & approval: New domains may need a short approval period before activation appears.

3) Use the Required Nameservers

On the Domain Names page, use these exact nameservers at your registrar:

ns1.digitalocean.com
ns2.digitalocean.com
ns3.digitalocean.com
SSL / HTTPS: After nameservers point correctly and the domain is active, SSL is issued automatically. No separate certificate purchase needed.

4) Change Nameservers at Your Registrar

Sign in where you purchased your domain and replace existing nameservers with the three above.

Example: GoDaddy
  1. Open your domain’s Nameservers settings.
  2. Choose Enter my own nameservers (advanced).
  3. Enter: 
    ns1.digitalocean.com
ns2.digitalocean.com
ns3.digitalocean.com
  4. Save/confirm.
Example: Namecheap
  1. Go to Domain List > Manage.
  2. Change Nameservers to Custom DNS.
  3. Add the three DigitalOcean nameservers and save.
Example: Squarespace Domains
  1. Open your domain’s DNS / Nameservers (Advanced).
  2. Select Use custom nameservers.
  3. Add the three DigitalOcean nameservers and save.
Timing: Registrar updates + DNS propagation can take 24–48 hours. During this window, behavior may fluctuate due to caching.

5) Wait for DNS Propagation

  • Status may move from Pending to Active in Connection Card Pro.
  • Visits to your domain may intermittently show the old site, new site, or a placeholder until caches update.

If it’s been 48+ hours: Confirm only these three nameservers are listed, and that your domain is spelled correctly and attached to the right site.

6) Keep Existing Email Working (MX Records)

Changing nameservers moves all DNS (website and email) to Connection Card Pro’s DNS. Re-add your email provider’s records so mail keeps flowing.

A) Copy MX/TXT Before Switching (recommended)
  1. At your current DNS host, copy all MX records and any required TXT/CNAME (SPF, verification).
B) Re-add MX/TXT in Connection Card Pro
  1. Go to Web & App > Website > Domain Names and select your domain.
  2. Open DNS Records and click Add Record to recreate each MX and any required TXT/CNAME from your email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.).
Match your provider’s values exactly. MX/TXT mistakes will interrupt email delivery.

7) Quick Troubleshooting

Domain says “Active” but shows a security/placeholder page

  • DNS may still be propagating—wait up to 24–48 hours.
  • Test from another device/network or clear browser cache.

Email stopped working after switching nameservers

  • Ensure MX (and required TXT) records are added under your domain’s DNS Records in Connection Card Pro.
  • Verify values against your email provider’s documentation.

Domain isn’t turning Active in Connection Card Pro

  • Confirm exactly these nameservers are set: ns1.digitalocean.com, ns2.digitalocean.com, ns3.digitalocean.com.
  • Check for typos and correct TLD (.com vs .org).
  • If 48+ hours with correct settings, contact Connection Card Pro support.

Checklist

  • Site created in Web & App > Website
  • Domain added under Domain Names
  • Registrar nameservers set to the three DigitalOcean values
  • Waited up to 24–48 hours for propagation
  • MX/TXT/CNAME re-added in DNS Records (if using external email)
  • Domain shows Active and site loads via https://
If you still have questions or require additional help, please contact our support team by clicking on the Help button > Contact Support.
Did you find this helpful?


Do you enjoy teaching, making videos, or love Connection Card Pro?

Help us fill out our Help Center with your own tutorial video! Is there an area of Connection Card Pro that you've mastered? Or some cool tricks you've discovered? Share your tutorial videos with us, if we select it to be included in our Help Center, we'll pay you $100!
Submit Your Videos Here