Replace your unil.ink/username URL with your own domain name — no technical expertise required.
- Connect a custom domain at Dashboard → Settings → Domain → Add Domain, then update your DNS records at your registrar.
- You need to add a CNAME record pointing to unil.ink — SSL is provisioned automatically.
- DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours, but most connections go live within a few hours.
A custom domain transforms your UniLink page from unil.ink/yourname into yourname.com — a professional, brandable URL you own outright. It's one of the highest-leverage upgrades a creator or business can make: every link you share, every business card you print, and every mention in a podcast or YouTube description becomes a URL that builds equity in your own brand rather than someone else's platform. UniLink handles the SSL certificate, routing, and hosting — you just need to point your domain at it.
What Custom Domain Does
Connecting a custom domain means your UniLink page loads when someone visits your own domain (or a subdomain like links.yourdomain.com), rather than the default unil.ink URL. From a visitor's perspective, they see your domain in the browser bar throughout their session. The URL on your page, in your analytics, and in any link you share is entirely your own. UniLink's infrastructure runs behind the scenes invisibly.
UniLink automatically provisions and renews an SSL certificate for your domain via Let's Encrypt. This means your custom domain URL starts with https:// and shows the padlock icon in browsers — exactly what visitors expect from a trustworthy page. You don't need to purchase or configure an SSL certificate separately. Verification and provisioning happen automatically once your DNS records are correctly set up.
Custom domains are fully compatible with all UniLink features. Your analytics, blocks, subscriber forms, payment links, and all other functionality work identically whether you're using a unil.ink URL or your own domain. The change is purely at the routing layer — nothing about your page content or configuration changes when you add a custom domain.
How to Get Started
- Purchase a domain if you don't already have one. Registrars like Namecheap, Google Domains (now Squarespace Domains), or Cloudflare Registrar typically charge $10–15/year for a .com domain. You can also use an existing domain you already own.
- Log in to your UniLink dashboard at app.unilink.us and go to Settings → Domain → Add Domain.
- Enter your domain name (e.g., yourname.com or links.yourname.com) and click Add. UniLink will display the DNS records you need to set.
- Log in to your domain registrar and navigate to the DNS management section. Add the CNAME record provided by UniLink — typically pointing your domain or subdomain to unil.ink.
- Return to the UniLink domain settings page and click Verify. Once DNS propagates (a few minutes to 48 hours), your domain will show as active and SSL will be provisioned automatically.
How to Use Custom Domain
- Decide between root domain or subdomain. Using yourname.com directly requires both a CNAME and potentially an A record depending on your registrar. Using links.yourname.com or bio.yourname.com as a subdomain is simpler to configure with just a single CNAME record.
- Add the CNAME record at your registrar. Set the Name/Host field to your chosen subdomain (or @ for root domain) and the Value/Target field to unil.ink. TTL can be left at the default.
- Wait for propagation. Use a tool like dnschecker.org to confirm your CNAME is live globally before trying to verify in UniLink.
- Verify in the UniLink dashboard. Once propagation is confirmed, click Verify. UniLink will detect the correct DNS records and begin SSL provisioning.
- Update your bio links across Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and elsewhere to use your new custom domain URL. Your old unil.ink URL will continue working as a fallback.
Key Settings
| Setting | What It Does | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME Record | Points your domain or subdomain to UniLink's servers (unil.ink) | Required — this is the core DNS record needed for the connection |
| Root vs Subdomain | Determines whether you use yourname.com or links.yourname.com | Subdomain (links.yourname.com) is simpler; root domain is cleaner for branding |
| SSL Certificate | Secures your custom domain with HTTPS | Automatic — provisioned by UniLink, no action required |
| Verification Status | Shows whether UniLink has confirmed your DNS is correctly set | Check after DNS propagation — re-verify if the status doesn't update within 48 hours |
| Primary Domain | Sets which URL is treated as your canonical address | Set to your custom domain once verified so analytics and links use it by default |
Get the Most Out Of Custom Domain
Once your custom domain is live, treat it as your canonical link everywhere. Update every platform bio, every email signature, and every piece of marketing material to use the new URL. The longer you wait to make the switch consistently, the more you're splitting traffic and analytics between two addresses. A clean cutover makes your data easier to read and your brand more coherent.
Use your custom domain to reinforce your brand positioning. A domain like yourbrand.co or getdeal.io communicates professionalism and permanence. It signals to visitors that you're serious about your presence online — not just someone who threw up a link page. This matters most for businesses, consultants, and creators who are actively selling or trying to convert visitors into customers.
One underrated benefit of a custom domain is SEO. When other websites or social profiles link to your custom domain URL, that link equity goes to your domain rather than to unil.ink. Over time, a custom domain that accumulates backlinks from press mentions, podcast show notes, and directory listings builds more authority than a shared unil.ink subdomain ever could. This is a slow compounding advantage — the sooner you connect a custom domain, the sooner it starts accumulating.
You can connect different subdomains of the same domain to different UniLink pages. If you manage multiple brands or clients, yourbrand.com and links.clientdomain.com can each point to their own UniLink account. This makes UniLink viable as an agency tool, not just for individual creators. Each domain connection is managed independently in the respective account's settings.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Verification fails after adding DNS records | DNS hasn't fully propagated yet | Wait at least 30 minutes and check propagation at dnschecker.org before retrying verification |
| Browser shows "Not Secure" on custom domain | SSL provisioning hasn't completed yet | SSL is issued automatically after verification — wait up to 30 minutes and refresh |
| Root domain (yourname.com) doesn't work, subdomain does | Registrar doesn't support CNAME on apex/root domain | Use a subdomain (links.yourname.com) instead, or switch to a registrar that supports CNAME flattening (Cloudflare) |
| Custom domain points to a blank page | DNS is propagated but domain isn't verified in UniLink yet | Complete the verification step in Dashboard → Settings → Domain to activate the connection |
Pros
- Full brand ownership — your URL is yours regardless of platform changes
- SSL is provisioned automatically with no certificate management required
- Old unil.ink URL continues working as a fallback after connection
- Builds domain authority over time as links from other sites point to your domain
Cons
- Requires purchasing a domain separately — typically $10–15/year additional cost
- DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, creating a delay before the connection is live
- Root domain CNAME setup varies by registrar and can require workarounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UniLink plan is required to connect a custom domain?
Custom domain support is available on the Starter plan ($9/mo) and above. It is not available on the free plan.
Will my unil.ink URL stop working after I connect a custom domain?
No. Your unil.ink/username URL continues to work after connecting a custom domain. Both URLs lead to the same page. You can share either, though using the custom domain consistently is recommended for branding.
Do I need to renew my SSL certificate manually?
No. UniLink automatically renews SSL certificates. You do not need to take any action to keep HTTPS working on your custom domain.
Can I use a domain I purchased through Squarespace, Wix, or another website builder?
Yes, as long as you have access to the domain's DNS settings. Every major registrar and website builder allows you to edit DNS records. You'll add the CNAME record pointing to unil.ink in whatever DNS panel your domain is managed through.
How many custom domains can I connect to one UniLink account?
Each UniLink account supports one primary custom domain. If you need multiple domains pointing to different pages, you would need separate UniLink accounts for each.
Key Takeaways
- Connect a custom domain at Dashboard → Settings → Domain → Add Domain, then add a CNAME record at your registrar.
- SSL is provisioned automatically after verification — no certificate setup needed.
- DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours — use dnschecker.org to confirm before verifying in UniLink.
- Your unil.ink URL keeps working as a fallback after connecting a custom domain.
- Custom domain support requires the Starter plan ($9/mo) or higher.
Ready to Use Your Own Domain?
Connect a custom domain to your UniLink page and give your audience a URL that's entirely yours. Upgrade to Starter at $9/month to unlock custom domain support along with advanced analytics, more blocks, and priority support.