This article is part of our complete Wix guide.
Your domain name is your address on the internet, and learning how to connect a domain to Wix correctly is the moment your site becomes a real business website. It is also the moment many people accidentally break their email, end up with a site that only works with or without “www”, or wait days for a change that never takes effect. The process itself is not difficult, but you need to understand the choices first. This guide explains the three ways to get a custom domain on Wix, the difference between pointing nameservers and connecting via DNS records, how to keep your email running, and what to do when the connection does not work.
- You need a Wix Premium plan to connect a custom domain to your site.
- You can buy a domain from Wix, connect a domain you already own, or transfer an existing domain to Wix.
- For a domain registered elsewhere, choose between pointing nameservers to Wix or connecting by changing specific DNS records.
- If you change nameservers, recreate your email (MX) and verification records in Wix first, or your email can stop working.
- DNS changes can take time to spread worldwide; Wix shows the connection status in your dashboard.
In this guide
- What do you need before connecting a domain to Wix?
- Three ways to use a custom domain on Wix
- Pointing vs connecting: which method should you use?
- How to connect a domain to Wix step by step
- How to keep your email working
- Why is my domain not connecting to Wix?
- Common domain connection mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
What do you need before connecting a domain to Wix?
Gather these before you begin. Having them ready turns a stressful afternoon into a ten-minute job.
- A Wix Premium plan on the site you want to connect. Free sites can only use a Wix subdomain. Compare options in our article on Wix pricing plans explained.
- Login details for your domain registrar (the company where you bought the domain, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, 123 Reg, Cloudflare or your old web host).
- A record of your current DNS settings. Take screenshots or export the zone file, especially MX, TXT and CNAME records used by your email and other services.
- Knowledge of where your email is hosted, for example Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho or your old hosting company.
- A plan for your old website, if one exists. If it has rankings, map old URLs to new ones and set up Wix 301 redirects before switching.
Three ways to use a custom domain on Wix
| Option | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy a domain from Wix | Purchase and connect in one step inside your dashboard | New businesses without a domain | Renewal costs after any introductory period |
| Connect a domain you own | Keep it at your registrar and point or connect it to Wix | Most existing businesses | Correct DNS setup and email records |
| Transfer your domain to Wix | Move registration to Wix so everything is managed in one place | People who want one bill and one dashboard | Transfer locks, authorisation codes and timing |
Connecting and transferring are different things. Connecting means your domain stays registered where it is, and you simply tell it to show your Wix site. Transferring moves the registration itself to Wix. Most businesses only need to connect.
Pointing vs connecting: which method should you use?
When your domain is registered with another company, Wix offers two connection methods. Wix may label them slightly differently in the dashboard, but the concepts are the same.
Method 1: Point your nameservers to Wix
You replace the nameservers at your registrar with the Wix nameservers shown in your dashboard. Wix then manages all DNS for your domain, and you edit records (including email records) inside Wix. This is usually the simplest method and lets Wix configure the website records automatically.
Choose this if you want Wix to handle DNS and you are comfortable recreating any email and verification records in Wix.
Method 2: Connect via DNS records
You keep your current nameservers and DNS provider, and only change the specific records that control the website, typically the A record for the root domain and the CNAME record for “www”. Wix shows you the exact values to use. Everything else, such as your MX email records, stays untouched.
Choose this if your DNS is managed by a provider like Cloudflare, your email or other services rely on complex DNS, or your IT person prefers to keep control of DNS.
Always copy the values from your own Wix dashboard rather than from an old tutorial, because the required records can change. Wix’s official guide to connecting a domain lists the current method for each registrar.
How to connect a domain to Wix step by step
The exact screens change from time to time, but the process follows this pattern:
- Upgrade the correct site to a Premium plan in your Wix account.
- Open the Domains area of your Wix account and choose to connect a domain you already own.
- Enter your domain name (for example yourbusiness.com) and confirm the site you want it to show.
- Choose your connection method: pointing nameservers, or connecting by DNS records. Wix may detect your registrar and suggest one.
- Log in to your registrar in a separate tab and find the nameserver or DNS management settings for the domain.
- Before changing anything, save a copy of your existing DNS records, especially MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Google or Microsoft verification) and any CNAME records for services you use.
- Make the change Wix requests: either replace the nameservers with the ones Wix shows, or update the A and CNAME records with the values Wix shows.
- If you pointed nameservers, recreate your email and verification records in the Wix DNS settings for the domain.
- Return to Wix and verify the connection. The dashboard shows whether the domain is connected or still propagating.
- Set your primary domain, if you have more than one, and check that both the www and non-www versions load your site securely over HTTPS.
- Test everything: open the site on several devices and networks, send and receive email, and submit your sitemap in Google Search Console.
Prefer not to touch DNS at all? MIVAQ can connect your domain to Wix safely, including email, redirects and Search Console setup.
How long does it take?
DNS changes are cached by networks around the world, so updates can take anywhere from minutes to around 48 hours to be visible everywhere. Nameserver changes often take longer than record changes. During that window some visitors may see your old site and others your new one. Avoid making repeated changes while you wait, as that resets the clock.
How to keep your email working
Email problems are the number one complaint after a domain connection. They happen because email delivery relies on DNS records that live alongside your website records.
- If you connect via DNS records: you only change the website records, so email records stay as they are. This is the safest option for existing email.
- If you point nameservers to Wix: your DNS moves to Wix. Any MX, SPF, DKIM and verification records that existed at your old DNS provider must be added in Wix, or email will stop arriving.
- If you have no business email yet: set one up now so you are not using a free webmail address. Our guide on setting up a professional business email with Wix explains your options.
After the switch, send test messages to and from an external address, and check that messages are not landing in spam. If they are, review your SPF and DKIM records with your email provider’s documentation.
Why is my domain not connecting to Wix?
If Wix still shows the domain as not connected after a reasonable wait, work through this checklist:
- Typos in nameservers or records. One missing character breaks the connection. Copy and paste values directly.
- Old records still present. Duplicate A records or a conflicting “www” record pointing to the old host can cause the site to load inconsistently. Remove the old website records.
- Changes saved in the wrong place. If your registrar uses an external DNS provider (for example Cloudflare), changes must be made there, not at the registrar.
- Proxy or CDN settings. Some DNS providers proxy traffic by default. Follow Wix’s guidance for your provider so SSL can be issued.
- SSL not issued yet. Wix provides SSL automatically once the domain is connected; a security warning shortly after connecting often clears on its own. If it persists, re-check your records.
- Domain expired or locked. Check the domain is active and not suspended at your registrar.
- Browser cache. Try a private window or another device and network.
Once connected, if the site still does not appear in Google results, see our guide on why a Wix site is not showing on Google and our broader Google indexing guide.
Common domain connection mistakes
- Not backing up DNS before changing nameservers, which leads to lost email and broken services.
- Connecting the domain to the wrong Wix site when you have several drafts in your account.
- Forgetting redirects when replacing an older website, which can throw away years of rankings.
- Letting the domain expire. Turn on auto-renew and keep your registrar contact email up to date.
- Registering the domain in a freelancer’s account. Always keep domains in an account your business owns.
- Making repeated changes during propagation, which makes it harder to know what worked.
Need help connecting your domain to Wix? Let MIVAQ do it for you
MIVAQ connects custom domains to Wix and Wix Studio sites every week. We review your current DNS, choose the right method, preserve your email and verification records, set up HTTPS and the primary domain, add 301 redirects from your old site, and submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. If you are launching a new site, we can design and build it too. Every job starts with a free consultation and a fixed-price quote.
Learn more about our Wix solutions and our Wix SEO service, which protects your rankings during launches and migrations.
- WhatsApp: message us
- Email: hello@mivaq.com
- Form: send your project details
Related Wix guides
- Set up a professional business email with Wix
- How to build a Wix website
- Wix pricing plans explained
- Move your website from WordPress to Wix
- Wix security, SSL and backups
- The complete Wix guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I connect a domain to a free Wix site?
No. Connecting a custom domain requires a Wix Premium plan. Free sites use a Wix subdomain address.
Should I transfer my domain to Wix or just connect it?
Connecting is enough for most businesses and keeps your registrar unchanged. Transfer only if you want domain registration and your site managed in one Wix account.
Will connecting my domain to Wix break my email?
Not if you plan for it. Connecting via DNS records leaves email records untouched. If you point nameservers to Wix, recreate your MX and verification records in Wix first.
Why does my Wix site show “not secure”?
SSL is issued automatically after the domain connects, which can take a little time. If the warning persists, check for conflicting DNS records or proxy settings at your DNS provider.
Can MIVAQ connect my domain to Wix for me?
Yes. We connect domains, protect your email, set up redirects and handle Search Console for a fixed price. Contact us for a free consultation.
Conclusion
To connect a domain to Wix, upgrade your site, choose between buying, connecting or transferring, then either point your nameservers or update your A and CNAME records with the values Wix provides. Back up your DNS first, protect your email records, be patient during propagation, and test thoroughly. If you would rather leave it to specialists, contact MIVAQ and we will connect it safely for you.
