Custom Domains and Subdomains

Every TimelyChurch website has a web address that works from day one: your church web address on TimelyChurch. If you own a domain (www.yourchurch.com), you can connect it so visitors see your own address instead. This guide covers both.

Note: Custom domains are included in the Pro plan. On other plans the Domain tab shows an upgrade prompt, and the Website Studio dashboard's Custom Domain card offers Upgrade to Pro.

How Website URLs Work

Your website can be reached in two ways:

Once a custom domain is verified, visitors are served your site there. Your church web address on TimelyChurch always keeps working as a backup.

Your Church Web Address

Your church web address is the address TimelyChurch gives your church -- it ends in /c/ followed by a short name for your church. You find it in Church Settings → Profile, on the Your church web address card ("Where visitors, links and QR codes find your church online"):

• Copy puts the address on your clipboard.
• Change lets you pick a new one under New web address. TimelyChurch checks it as you type and tells you if it is Available, if "That web address is already taken.", or if it doesn't fit the rules ("Web addresses use 3-50 letters, numbers and dashes.").

You can change the address up to 3 times in 30 days, and the old address keeps redirecting to the new one, so links and QR codes you have already printed still work. See Your Church Web Address for the full walkthrough.

Custom Domain Setup (www.yourchurch.com)

A custom domain shows visitors your own web address. Setting one up takes three things: enter the domain in TimelyChurch, add DNS records at your DNS provider, then verify.

Where Domain Settings Live

Open Church Settings (the Church Setting link at the bottom of the sidebar) and click the Domain tab. The Website Studio dashboard's Custom Domain card also takes you there with Set up custom domain (or Manage custom domain once a domain is added).

Step 1: Add Your Domain in TimelyChurch

1. On the Domain tab, find the Custom Domain card.
2. In Domain Name, enter your domain without http:// or https://.
   • Examples: www.yourchurch.com, yourchurch.org
3. Click Add Domain. You see "Domain updated! Please add the DNS records to verify ownership."

A DNS Configuration card appears with the records to add, including your own verification token. The status badge reads Pending Verification until you verify.

Step 2: Add the DNS Records

Sign in to your DNS provider (usually the company where you bought the domain) and add the records shown on the DNS Configuration card.

1. TXT Record (Required for Verification)

Proves you own the domain.

Most DNS providers want just _timelychurch in the name field -- they add your domain to the end automatically. If you put the token on your root domain instead, that is accepted too.

Tip: Copy the verification token exactly. Even a single extra space will cause verification to fail.

2. Point Your Domain to Us

Choose one of the two options. Whichever you choose, add the records for both www and the root domain, so your site works with and without "www".

Option 1 — Recommended: CNAME to sites.timelychurch.com

Your site is served through our global network: faster loading, protection, and an automatic certificate.

If your DNS provider does not allow a CNAME on the root domain: some providers only allow a CNAME on www. In that case, set the root domain to redirect to www instead -- providers usually call this "domain forwarding" -- or use Option 2.

Option 2 — A records

Works with every DNS provider, but your site then depends on one server address, without the global network. Add both records:

Using A records with Cloudflare DNS? Turn the proxy off for these records: in your Cloudflare DNS settings, click the orange cloud so it turns grey (DNS only). Keep proxy OFF -- TimelyChurch handles the certificate automatically. With Option 1, the proxy setting does not matter.

Step 3: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes typically take 15 minutes to 48 hours to reach everywhere. If verification fails at first, wait and try again later.

Step 4: Verify Your Domain

1. Return to Church Settings → Domain.
2. Click Verify Domain.
3. TimelyChurch looks up your DNS:
   • The TXT record must contain your verification token.
   • A CNAME or A record for your domain (with or without www) must point to TimelyChurch.
4. If everything is found, you see "Domain verified successfully! Your custom domain is now active." and the badge changes to Verified & Active.

If something is missing, the message tells you which part: "TXT record not found or incorrect" and/or "CNAME or A record not pointing to our servers". Check that record and try again after waiting longer for propagation.

SSL / HTTPS

SSL is automatic. Once your domain is verified, TimelyChurch generates a free SSL certificate for it and renews it for you, so your site is served securely over HTTPS. There is nothing to buy, upload, or configure.

A certificate can only be issued after verification succeeds, so a browser security warning in the first minutes after verifying usually clears on its own.

Changing Your Custom Domain

1. Open Church Settings → Domain.
2. Enter the new domain in Domain Name.
3. Click Update Domain.
4. The verification status resets and a new verification token is generated. Update your DNS records and verify again.

Removing Your Custom Domain

1. Open Church Settings → Domain.
2. Clear the Domain Name field.
3. Click Update Domain. You see "Custom domain removed."
4. Your website is served at your church web address again.

Troubleshooting

Domain verification keeps failing

• Check the TXT record name: It should be _timelychurch (your provider adds the domain), or the token can sit on the root domain itself.
• Check the TXT record value: Copy the verification token exactly. It is case-sensitive and rejects extra spaces.
• Check the second record: The CNAME must point to sites.timelychurch.com, or the A record must use the IP address shown on the card.
• Wait longer: Some DNS providers take up to 48 hours.

Website not loading on custom domain

• Confirm the domain is verified on Church Settings → Domain (the badge should read Verified & Active).
• Check both hosts: Make sure you added the record for www and for the root domain (or set up forwarding from the root to www).
• Cloudflare DNS with A records: Make sure the proxy is off (grey cloud).
• Clear your browser cache or try a private window.

SSL certificate warning in the browser

• Make sure the domain shows Verified & Active -- the certificate is only issued after verification.
• Wait a few minutes after verifying, then reload the page.
• If you use A records with Cloudflare DNS, make sure the proxy is off.

Next Steps

• Publishing Your Website -- Manage what is live on your site
• SEO Settings -- Make sure search engines find your new domain
• Your Church Web Address -- Change the address TimelyChurch gives your church