Already have a domain you want to use? You can connect it to your Holidu booking website to drive more direct bookings under your own brand. This guide walks you through the six steps to connect your own domain to your Holidu booking website.

Short answer: In the Holidu app, click Connect my domain and enter your domain name. Then add three DNS records (CNAME, CAA, and ALIAS) in your domain provider's settings. Holidu verifies the records, and your direct booking website goes live on your own domain.

Before you start

• Make sure you can log in to your domain provider's settings (for example, AWS, Vercel, or another DNS provider).
• Be aware that if you already have a website live on that domain, it will be replaced by your direct booking website once this process is complete.

Step 1: Start the process in the Holidu app by setting up your booking website

1. Click Enable website if it is not enabled yet.
2. Click Connect my domain.
   
3. After you start the setup and enter your existing domain name, a DNS tab appears.
   

Holidu generates a few specific DNS values for you here. Copy these values and add them to your domain provider's settings in the next step.

Tip: Don't worry if you're not familiar with DNS settings. We will guide you through it in Step 2.

Step 2: Create a new CNAME record in your domain settings

Log in to your domain provider and look for an option to create a new record (or DNS record). A form will open.

• For Type, select CNAME.
• In the Holidu app, copy the "NAME" value from the CNAME line (1) and paste it into the name field of the record you want to create.
• Copy the "VALUE" from the same line (2) and paste it into the value field of the record you want to create.
• The "TTL" and "Routing policy" fields can usually keep their pre-filled values.

After making these settings, create the record.

Example (AWS):

Important: If there are already records saved for the domain you want to use, delete those first. This disconnects your existing website from the domain, so it will no longer be accessible to guests. This step is needed so you can connect the domain to your new direct booking website.

Step 3: Add a CAA DNS record in your domain settings

Create another record in your domain settings. This time:

• For Type, select CAA.
• In the Holidu app, copy the "NAME" value from the CAA line (3) and paste it into the name field of the record you want to create.
• In the value field, paste the value you get from the Holidu app (4).
  • Some providers require a special format for the value field, for example: 0 issue "awstrust.com". In this case, put the value (4) in quotation marks.
• The "TTL" and "Routing policy" fields can usually keep their pre-filled values.

After making these settings, create the record.

Step 4: Return to the Holidu app to check that the records are recognized

With the records you just added in place, Holidu automatically checks your DNS settings. This usually takes around 5 minutes.

If everything looks good, your domain is verified, and you are guided to the final step of the setup.

Step 5: Add an ALIAS DNS record in your domain settings

Once Holidu has verified your domain, you need to add one more DNS record. Holidu provides the values you need:

Create a new record and change the Type to ALIAS.

Before moving on, check that your domain provider settings now include all three of these records:

• CNAME
• CAA
• ALIAS

All three are needed for your direct booking website to connect properly.

Step 6: Final verification

Return to the Holidu admin UI and wait until your domain shows as verified.

You can now access your direct booking website via your own domain.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to connect my domain to Holidu?

Holidu usually verifies your DNS records within about 5 minutes after you add them. DNS changes can sometimes take longer to spread across the internet, so if verification does not happen right away, wait a little and check again in the Holidu app.

What happens to my existing website when I connect my domain?

If your domain already hosts a website, it will be replaced by your Holidu direct booking website once the setup is complete. Guests will no longer be able to reach the old site on that domain.

Which DNS records do I need to add?

You need three records: a CNAME record, a CAA record, and an ALIAS record. Holidu provides the exact name and value for each one in the app.

What if my domain provider asks for a special format for the CAA value?

Some providers require the value in a specific format, such as 0 issue "awstrust.com". If yours does, put the value Holidu gives you inside quotation marks.

For more help with your booking website, visit the Holidu Help Center.