Custom Domain

Bring your own domain. We handle the rest.

Connect any domain you own in 4 simple steps. DNS verification, SSL certificate provisioning, and global CDN routing are all automatic. Step-by-step setup guides for every major registrar included.

Use your own domain with automatic SSL

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What we handle for your custom domain

Auto
SSL certificate provisioning and renewal
5+
Registrar setup guides built into the dashboard
$0
Setup fees, hosting fees, or SSL fees

Reliable Plumbing Co

6

Domain

Manage your website's domain and URL.

Current Domain

reliable-plumbing-co.clients.getdmdigital.comSSL Active

This is your default subdomain. Always active. You can also connect a custom domain below.

View live →

Connect Your Own Domain

Step 1: Enter your domain

Professional Email

Once your custom domain is connected, set up professional email like info@yourbusiness.com:

Google Workspace
$6/user/mo
Set up
Microsoft 365
$6/user/mo
Set up
Zoho Mail
Free tier
Set up
Namecheap Private Email
$10/mo
Set up

What it does

Bring any domain you own

Already own yourbusiness.com? Connect it to Grow Local. Don't own one yet? We link to recommended registrars (Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains) - typically $10-15/year. Your domain is fully owned by you, not us.

Automatic SSL certificates

We provision and auto-renew SSL certificates for your custom domain. The little green lock icon shows up within minutes of verification. No Let's Encrypt commands, no manual cert installs, no annual renewals.

Global CDN routing automatic

Your custom domain routes through our global CDN with 200+ edge locations. Visitors from Tampa get served from Miami's edge. Visitors from Tokyo get served from Tokyo's edge. Fast loads everywhere, no configuration needed.

How it works

Step 1

Enter your domain in the dashboard

Open the Domain tab, type your domain (e.g. yourbusiness.com), and click Continue. We immediately show you the exact DNS records to add at your registrar.

Step 2

Add DNS records at your registrar

Copy our CNAME and A records into your registrar's DNS settings. We include step-by-step guides for GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, Cloudflare, and Squarespace Domains. Most registrars apply changes within 5-15 minutes.

Step 3

Click Verify Domain

Once DNS propagates (usually 5-60 minutes), click Verify Domain. We check that records resolve correctly and confirm with a green checkmark. If something is off, we tell you exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.

Step 4

SSL auto-provisions within minutes

After verification, we automatically request and install an SSL certificate. Your custom domain goes live with HTTPS within minutes. Certificate auto-renews every 90 days forever - no maintenance required.

Why a custom domain is non-negotiable for local SEO

Google's local search algorithm explicitly rewards businesses on custom domains. A subdomain like yourbusiness.wix.com or yourbusiness.clients.somewhere.com is interpreted as a generic platform listing, not a legitimate business website. Custom domains rank dramatically higher for local searches - we typically see 30-60% ranking improvements within 4 weeks of switching to a custom domain.

Beyond rankings, custom domains drive trust. A customer searching 'plumber tampa' who sees yourbusiness.wix.com next to johnsplumbing.com clicks the .com 4-5x more often. Custom domains signal legitimacy. Subdomains signal hobby project. This is why even early-stage local businesses should invest the $12/year for a real domain.

And custom domains are portable. If you ever leave Grow Local (we hope you don't), your domain stays yours. Your site can move to another platform without losing SEO rankings (because the domain reputation transfers). Locked-in subdomains from website builders effectively trap your SEO equity. Custom domains keep it yours forever.

Ready to put this to work?

Join 200+ local service businesses using Grow Local. 60-second setup. $99/month. No contracts.

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Common questions before you sign up

What if my domain is registered somewhere weird?

Grow Local works with any domain, regardless of where you bought it - GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, Cloudflare, Squarespace Domains, Hover, NameSilo, Porkbun, even old-school Network Solutions or 1&1 IONOS. As long as you can edit your domain's DNS records, you can connect it.

What if I'm not technical and don't know what DNS is?

You won't need to. The Domain tab walks you through every step with copy-paste instructions specific to your registrar. We tested with first-time users - average setup time is 8 minutes from start to live SSL, even for people who have never touched DNS before. If you get stuck, support is included.

Will my old website's SEO transfer to the new Grow Local site?

Mostly yes. SEO rankings are tied to your domain, so they transfer when you point your domain to Grow Local. Old URLs that exactly match new Grow Local URLs keep their rankings. URLs that don't match should be 301-redirected (we set up the most common patterns automatically). For complex SEO migrations, our managed agency tier handles redirect mapping and recovery.

How Grow Local custom domain handling compares

Domain setup quality is invisible work most builders do poorly.

CapabilityGrow LocalWixSquarespace
Custom domain includedYes ($0 extra)Higher tier requiredHigher tier required
Free SSL with auto-renewalAutomaticIncludedIncluded
Registrar setup guides built in5+ registrarsGeneric instructionsGeneric instructions
DNS verification time5-60 minutesUp to 48 hoursUp to 48 hours
Global CDN included200+ edge locationsIncludedIncluded
Total cost (domain extra)$99/mo + $10-15/yr domain$159/mo + $10-15/yr$99/mo + $10-15/yr

Pricing and feature comparisons based on publicly listed plans as of 2026. Subject to change.

FAQs

Do I need to buy a domain before signing up?
No. You can start on your free Grow Local subdomain (yourname.clients.getdmdigital.com) and add a custom domain anytime. We recommend buying a domain within your first month - the SEO and trust benefits are significant. Most local businesses pick a .com that matches their business name.
Where should I buy a domain?
Namecheap and Cloudflare Registrar are our top recommendations - reliable, cheap (~$10-12/year for most .com domains), and have clean DNS management. Google Domains is closing down. GoDaddy works but has aggressive upsells. Avoid anything you've never heard of - shady registrars can hold your domain hostage if you try to leave.
How long does DNS propagation take?
Most registrars propagate DNS within 5-15 minutes in 2026 (much faster than the old 24-48 hour rule). Cloudflare and Namecheap typically propagate instantly. GoDaddy and older registrars can take 30-60 minutes. Hit Verify Domain every 10 minutes - we'll tell you when it's ready.
What if I already have a website at my domain?
When you point DNS to Grow Local, the old website becomes inaccessible at that domain (DNS only routes to one place at a time). For continuity, we recommend: build your Grow Local site on the free subdomain first, get it looking good, then switch DNS over to it during off-hours. Some customers run side-by-side for a week using a temporary subdomain.
Can I use a subdomain like blog.yourbusiness.com?
Yes. Connect any subdomain you own - blog.yourbusiness.com, services.yourbusiness.com, whatever. The same DNS setup works. Most local businesses use the root domain (yourbusiness.com) and 'www' subdomain, both pointing to their Grow Local site.
What email goes with my custom domain?
Custom domain email (info@yourbusiness.com) requires a separate email host. We recommend Google Workspace ($6/user/month) or Microsoft 365 ($6/user/month). Both integrate with your custom domain via MX records - we provide setup links in the Domain tab. Free alternatives like Zoho Mail also work for under-5-user teams.
Will moving to my custom domain hurt my SEO?
No, when handled correctly. Your Grow Local subdomain doesn't have meaningful SEO yet (new domains take 6+ months to build authority). Switching to your custom domain at month 1 has zero downside. Switching at month 6+ requires some redirect setup which we handle automatically for standard URL patterns.
What if I want to leave Grow Local later - can I take my domain?
Yes, always. Your domain is owned by you at your registrar - not by us. If you ever cancel, your domain comes with you. Point DNS to wherever you go next. Many platforms (Webflow, Squarespace, Wix, etc.) accept custom domain connections via the same DNS records. No vendor lock-in.

Related features

Business Info Editor

One source of truth for every page on your site.

Location Pages

Rank in every city you serve with dedicated location pages.

Leads & Analytics

Track every call and form on your custom domain.

Connect your domain. Look like a real business.

$99/month. Bring your own domain. Cancel anytime.

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