When you set up a custom domain for online booking, you need to tell the internet to go to Aesthetic Record to retrieve the webhpage. That’s where DNS records come in.
What is a DNS Record?
DNS stands for Domain Name System — think of it like the phonebook of the internet.
DNS records are instructions that live inside your domain settings and tell web browsers how to find your site.
One important type of DNS record is a CNAME record.
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record links your domain (like www.yourwebsite.com) to another domain address (like yourapp.platform.com) instead of an IP address.
Why You Need to Update a DNS Record
You need to update your DNS with a CNAME when you want your custom domain to point to your online booking page. Updating your DNS record makes your domain live and accessible to visitors!
Step-by-Step: How to Add a CNAME Record
Here’s the general process you’ll follow with any DNS provider:
1. Find Your DNS Settings
Log into the account where you purchased or manage your domain. If you are unsure of where this is, our team can help you locate it through your site's metadata. If someone else manages your website, they will likely be the ones to manage your DNS settings.
Look for options called “DNS Settings,” “DNS Management,” “Manage DNS,” or "Domain Settings."
2. Create a CNAME Record
Add your new subdomain into Aesthetic Record. Decide what you want to use to "in front of the period" in your URL to drive patients to booking. Make it easy and memorable. Below, the subdomain is "booking" for example.
Go into your DNS provider and choose Add New Record and select CNAME as the record type.
3. Fill in the Details
Name / Host: This is the subdomain you assigned in Aesthetic Record (depends on your DNS provider, you may only need to add the subdomain - i.e. :"booking".
Value / Points To / Target: This is where you paste the destination provided by Aesthetic Record. (like
booking.yourpracticename.com).
Get the value from Aesthetic Record
Paste it into your DNS provider
TTL: Set it to “Default” or “Auto” (this controls how often updates happen).
4. Save Your Changes
Click Save, Add Record, or Update Record.
Changes can take up to 24-48 hours to fully go live, but usually happen within a few hours.
Provider-Specific Instructions
Here’s a breakdown for the most common DNS providers:
GoDaddy
Log in to your GoDaddy Account.
Click My Products, find your domain, and select Manage DNS.
Scroll to Records → Click Add → Choose CNAME.
Enter your Name (like
www) and Value (your destination URL).Save your changes.
Cloudflare
Log in to Cloudflare.
Select your domain.
Go to the DNS tab.
Click Add Record → Select CNAME.
Set Name to your subdomain (like
www) and Target to your destination.Make sure Proxy Status is set correctly:
⚡️ Orange Cloud: traffic goes through Cloudflare (good for security/performance).
☁️ Grey Cloud: traffic bypasses Cloudflare (direct).
Google Domains (now part of Squarespace)
Log in to Google Domains.
Choose your domain → Click DNS on the left menu.
Under Custom Records, click Manage custom records.
Add a CNAME record with your host name and destination.
Save.
Squarespace Domains
(If you bought your domain directly through Squarespace)
In your Squarespace account, go to Settings → Domains.
Select your domain → DNS Settings.
Scroll to Custom Records → Add Record.
Choose CNAME, enter the required information, and save.
Namecheap
Log into Namecheap.
Select Domain List → Click Manage next to your domain.
Go to the Advanced DNS tab.
Under Host Records, click Add New Record → Choose CNAME Record.
Enter your Host (
www) and Value (your target domain).Save.
Amazon Route 53
(A little more technical, but still manageable)
Open AWS Management Console.
Go to Route 53 → Hosted Zones.
Select your domain.
Click Create Record → Choose CNAME.
Fill out the Record name (
www) and Value (your platform address).Choose Simple Routing unless you have special routing rules.
Save.
Other Common Providers
Bluehost
Domains → Manage → DNS → Add Record → CNAME
HostGator
Domains → Manage → DNS → Add Record → CNAME
DreamHost
Domains → Manage → DNS → Add Record → CNAME
Tips for Success
✅ Always double-check you’re editing the correct domain if you have more than one.
✅ Only one CNAME should exist for a subdomain (like booking) — delete any old ones.
✅ Allow time for DNS changes to "propagate" across the internet.
✅ If you are switching a live website, plan for DNS propagation delays.
Common Questions
What if I already have a CNAME Record for "booking"?
You'll need to change the value for the existing subdomain or change the subdomain and add a new record.
Keep in mind, you can only have one active domain at a time in AR. Since the value will be the same, you will need to deactivate or delete any existing CNAME record that is pointing to your booking site before adding a new one.
Can I CNAME a root domain (like yourwebsite.com)?
Technically, no. CNAMEs are allowed only for subdomains like
www.subdomain.yourwebsite.com. Your booking page should always be a subdomain.
How do I know when it’s working?
Use a tool like DNS Checker to see if your new CNAME has propagated worldwide! We will also provide an Active status notification when you click Check Verification.
Final Notes
If you ever feel stuck, your domain provider’s support team can help — and many offer chat or email support! Following these simple steps ensures your custom domain is connected properly, so your visitors will always land exactly where you want them.