Your Complete Guide to Setting Up HubSpot CMS Domains and Redirects

Getting Your Domain Connected to HubSpot CMS

If you're just getting started with HubSpot CMS or HubSpot Landing Pages, you've probably heard the phrase "add your domain or subdomain" and felt a little overwhelmed. Here's the good news: once you've got it set up, you're done. It's a one-time thing that'll save you tons of headaches down the road.

In this guide, we're walking you through exactly how to connect your domain, set up subdomains, and configure redirects so that no matter what a human types into their browser, they'll end up exactly where you want them to be.

Where to Find Domain Settings in HubSpot

First things first, let's locate the right place to make these changes. Here's how to get there:

1. Log into your HubSpot account
2. Click on Settings (typically in the main navigation)
3. Scroll down the left sidebar until you see "Website"
4. Click on "Domains and URLs"

This is your command center for all domain-related tasks. You'll see options to connect a domain and select your primary domain. Let's talk about what that means and how to do it.

Connecting Your Primary Domain

When you're ready to connect your domain, here's the process:

Step 1: Enter Your Domain Name

In the domain field, type in the exact domain you want to connect. For example, if you own properpupgear.com, that's what goes in the box. Don't overthink this part, just enter your domain name and hit next.

Step 2: Select Your Domain Configuration

Next, you'll see options for where you want to use your domain. You'll notice checkboxes for:

• Landing Pages
• Blog
• Email
• Website

Select which HubSpot tools you want to use with this domain. Then you'll configure the actual URLs. You'll typically add both the www version (www.properpupgear.com) and the non-www version (properpupgear.com).

Step 3: Configure Your URLs

Here's where it gets interesting. Depending on your setup, you have options:

If you're using HubSpot CMS for your entire website, you'll likely want all your content, blog, landing pages, and email on the main domain.

If you're using a third-party CMS for your main website but using HubSpot for specific tools, you might want to structure it like this:

• Blog: blog.properpupgear.com
• Email: email.properpupgear.com
• Landing Pages: resources.properpupgear.com (or info, academy, etc.)

This approach keeps everything organized and makes it clear to humans where they're landing based on the URL structure.

The Redirect Magic: www vs Non-www

Here's something critical that a lot of humans miss: you need to handle the redirect between your www and non-www versions. Without this, you could end up with duplicate content issues, broken links, or humans landing in the wrong place.

When you set up your domains in HubSpot, the platform will guide you through creating the proper redirects. This ensures that whether someone types in www.properpupgear.com or just properpupgear.com, they'll end up on the same URL. No confusion, no broken experiences.

You're All Set

Once you've completed these steps, your domain is connected and you're ready to start building pages, blog posts, and landing pages on HubSpot. The setup process takes just a few minutes, and then you can focus on the fun stuff: creating content that actually converts.

Need help with your HubSpot setup? That's exactly what we do at Sidekick Strategies. We're here to help you maximize your platform and grow your business.