Connecting your own domain to your Holidu booking website lets guests book directly under your brand. You add a few DNS records in your domain provider's settings, then verify the domain in the Holidu app. The process takes about 15 minutes, plus a short wait for verification.

What you need before you start

• An existing domain name that you own and want to use for your booking website.
• Login access to your domain provider's settings, such as AWS, Vercel, or another DNS host.
• Access to the Holidu app with permission to set up your booking website.

Important: If a website is already live on this domain, it will be replaced by your direct booking website once the process is complete. Guests will no longer be able to reach the old site at that address.

Step-by-step guide to connecting your domain

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. Enter your existing domain name. A DNS tab will appear.
   

Holidu generates a few specific DNS values for your domain. Keep this tab open and copy these values. You will add them to your domain provider's settings in the next step.

Tip: Don't worry if you are new to DNS settings. We will walk you through each record in the steps below.

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, often called a DNS record. A form will open.

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

When the fields are filled in, create the record.

Here is an example from AWS:

Important: If your domain already has DNS records saved, delete them before you create this one. Removing them disconnects your existing website from the domain. This step is required so the domain can point 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, follow these steps:

• For Type, select CAA.
• In the Holidu app, copy the NAME value from the CAA line (labeled 3). Paste it into the name field of the new record.
• In the value field, paste the value shown in the Holidu app (labeled 4).
• Some providers require a special format for the value field. For example, the value might look like 0 issue "awstrust.com". If your provider needs this format, add the value from the Holidu app inside quotation marks.
• The TTL and Routing policy fields can usually keep their pre-filled values.

When the fields are filled in, create the record.

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

Once the records are in place, Holidu checks your DNS settings automatically. This usually takes around 5 minutes.

If everything is correct, your domain is verified, and the app guides you to the final setup step.

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

After Holidu verifies your domain, you need to add one more DNS record. The Holidu app shows the values you need:

Create a new record in your domain provider and change the Type to ALIAS. Enter the values from the Holidu app.

Before you continue, check that your domain provider now includes all three of these records:

• ALIAS
• CAA
• CNAME

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

Step 6: Complete the final verification

Go back to the Holidu admin interface and wait until your domain shows as verified.

Once the domain is verified, you can open your direct booking website using your own domain.

Frequently asked questions

Will my old website stop working?

Yes. If a website was live on the domain before, it will be replaced by your Holidu direct booking website. Guests will no longer be able to access the old site at that address.

How long does the connection take?

Holidu usually verifies your records within about 5 minutes after you add the first set. Your domain can then be used once the final verification is complete.

Do I need to know DNS to do this?

No. Holidu provides the exact values to copy, and the steps above show you where each one goes. If you get stuck, visit the Holidu Help Center for more guidance.