How to configure DNS for Clonable?
Summary
To connect your Clone to your own domain or subdomain, you need to configure your DNS correctly. This ensures visitors see your translated website on the right URL. In this article, you will learn which DNS record to add, how to configure it safely, and how to check if everything is working.
FAQ
Do I need to move my website to Clonable?
No. Your original website stays where it is. You only point a domain or subdomain to your clone.
Can I use my main domain?
There are three options, use a subfolder structure like yourdomain.com/de (this setup doesn't require any DNS changes), use a subdomain like de.yourdomain.com or use a separate domain for your Clone.
How long does DNS activation take?
Usually between a few minutes and 24 hours, depending on your DNS provider.
⏱️ Reading time: 5–7 minutes
Table of contents
Before you start
Before configuring DNS, make sure:
- Your clone is created and active
- You know which domain or subdomain you want to connect
- You have access to your DNS management panel
You usually manage DNS at:
- Your domain registrar
- Your hosting provider
- A DNS provider like Cloudflare
The DNS settings for your clone
In your clone's settings, under the Setup information tab, you can see which DNS records still need to be set. You can also manually recheck there when you have set up the DNS records and want to check them. The DNS records are also automatically checked periodically.
Domain registration with Clonable
If you want to put your clone on a new domain and it is not yet registered, you can choose to register the domain via Clonable. The DNS records will then be set up correctly automatically.
Below is an example of what the DNS data table would look like if you cloned the website clonable-example.co.uk to clonable-example.de. As you can see, you need to create both A- and AAAA-type DNS records for the domain with www. and without www.
DOMAIN | TYPE | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
A | 89.41.171.180 | |
A | 89.41.171.180 | |
AAAA | 2a01:7c8:e001:d9:0:0:0:e778 | |
AAAA | 2a01:7c8:e001:d9:0:0:0:e778 |
Please note that many providers do not require the entire domain to be entered when creating the records, but only the part for the main domain. In many (but not all!) cases, the main domain uses an @ and your entry will need to look something like this:
RECORD | RECORD TYPE | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
@ | A | 89.41.171.180 |
www | A | 89.41.171.180 |
@ | AAAA | 2a01:7c8:e001:d9:0:0:0:e778 |
www | AAAA | 2a01:7c8:e001:d9:0:0:0:e778 |
For different servers or CMS systems, the programme to adjust the DNS may look different. Ask your hosting party or IT department for help if you can't figure it out yourself.
Common mistakes
These are the most common issues:
- Using the wrong DNS zone
- Typo in the target value
- Forgetting to remove an existing A or CNAME record
- Trying to use translated clone URLs instead of original URLs
- Expecting DNS to work instantly
If you follow the steps carefully, your domain will connect correctly.
Tags
domain mapping, cname setup, subdomain connection, dns propagation, nameserver configuration, website pointing
Updated on: 22/02/2026
Thank you!