Using a Custom Domain with Your Auctium Site

How CNAME Works and How to Set It Up

You can use your own domain name (for example, auctions.yourcompany.co.uk) with your Auctium site. To make this work, you’ll create a CNAME record in your domain’s DNS settings that points your chosen subdomain to www.auctium.co.uk.

This guide explains what a CNAME is, why Auctium uses it, and how to set it up with Cloudflare and major UK domain providers.

1. What Is a CNAME Record?

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS entry that tells the internet:

“This name is just another label for that name.”

In practice, it means:

• You choose a subdomain (e.g., bids.yourdomain.co.uk)

• You point it at www.auctium.co.uk

• When someone visits your subdomain, they’re routed to your Auctium site.

A CNAME is perfect for Auctium because it allows us to host and serve your site securely, while you keep full control of your domain.

2. What You Need

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A domain name you control

• Access to your registrar’s DNS settings

• The subdomain you want to use (e.g., auctions, bids, sales, etc.)

Important: You must use a subdomain (e.g., something.yourdomain.co.uk). Root domains (like yourdomain.co.uk) cannot use CNAME records.

3. The DNS Record You Need to Add

Create a CNAME record with:

Once saved, DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to propagate.

4. Step‑by‑Step Setup for Popular UK Registrars

Below are the most common providers used in the UK. The steps are intentionally simple and consistent.

Cloudflare (Recommended)

Cloudflare is the most flexible and reliable DNS provider, and it’s free.

1. Log in to Cloudflare

2. Select your domain

3. Go to DNS → Records

4. Click Add Record

5. Choose CNAME

6. Name: your subdomain (e.g., auctions)

7. Target:www.auctium.co.uk

8. Proxy status:DNS Only (turn the orange cloud off)

9. Save

Cloudflare updates almost instantly.

GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy

2. Open My Products → your domain → DNS

3. Scroll to Records → Add

4. Choose CNAME

5. Host: your subdomain

6. Points to:www.auctium.co.uk

7. Save

GoDaddy may take up to an hour to update.

123 Reg

1. Log in to 123 Reg

2. Go to Control Panel → Manage Domain

3. Select Manage DNS

4. Under Advanced DNS, click Add Record

5. Choose CNAME

6. Host name: your subdomain

7. Destination:www.auctium.co.uk

8. Save

Propagation is usually 10–30 minutes.

Names.co.uk

1. Log in to your account

2. Go to Domain Names → Manage DNS

3. Scroll to DNS Records

4. Add a CNAME record

5. Host: your subdomain

6. Points to:www.auctium.co.uk

7. Save

IONOS (1&1)

1. Log in to IONOS

2. Go to Domains & SSL

3. Select your domain → DNS

4. Add a CNAME record

5. Host Name: your subdomain

6. Points to:www.auctium.co.uk

7. Save

IONOS may take longer (up to 1–2 hours).

5. Entering Your Domain in Auctium

Once your DNS record is created:

1. Go to Auctium Start → Edit Site

2. Enter your subdomain in the Domain Name field

   • Example: auctions.yourdomain.co.uk

3. Click Save

Auctium will automatically detect and link your domain once DNS has propagated.

(Your page already hints at this requirement: “You’ll need to setup a CNAME DNS record pointing to www.auctium.co.uk” .)

6. Troubleshooting

My domain isn’t working yet

DNS can take time. Give it up to 2 hours.

I get a security or certificate warning

This usually means the CNAME hasn’t propagated yet. Wait a little longer.

I used the root domain

CNAMEs cannot be used at the root. Switch to a subdomain.

Cloudflare shows an orange cloud

Turn it off. Proxying can interfere with Auctium’s SSL.

7. Need a Free Option?

If you don’t want to use your own domain, Auctium provides free subdomains such as:

• yourname.auctium.co.uk

• yourname.auct.uk

Just enter one in the Domain Name box and save.