Connecting your own domain to your Holidu booking website lets guests book directly under your brand. You can finish the setup in six steps by adding three DNS records (CNAME, CAA, and ALIAS) through your domain provider. Before you start, make sure you can log in to your domain provider's settings, such as AWS or Vercel.

Important: If a website is already live on this domain, it will be replaced by your direct booking website once the 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.

After you enter your existing domain name, a DNS tab appears. Holidu generates a few specific DNS values for you here. Copy these values and keep them handy for 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. Then:

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

After making these settings, create the record.

Here is an example from AWS:

Important: If records already exist for the domain you want to use, delete them first. This disconnects your existing website from the domain, so it will no longer be accessible to guests. This step is necessary so the domain can be connected 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 and paste it into the name field of the new record.
• In the value field, paste the value you get from the Holidu app.
• Some providers require a special format for the value field, for example: 0 issue "awstrust.com". In this case, put the value from the Holidu app 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 in place, Holidu automatically checks your DNS settings. This usually takes around 5 minutes. If everything looks good, your domain is verified and you will be guided to the final steps 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 required values in the app:

Create a new record in your domain provider's settings and change the Type to ALIAS.

Before moving on, make sure your domain provider settings include all three of these records:

• ALIAS
• CAA
• CNAME

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

Step 6: Complete the final verification

Return to the Holidu admin interface and wait until your domain is verified.

Once verified, you can access your direct booking website via your own domain.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for my domain to connect?

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

Will my guests lose access to my old website?

Yes. Once you delete the existing records for your domain in Step 2, your old website is disconnected and no longer accessible to guests. Your direct booking website replaces it on that domain.

Need more help? Visit the Holidu Help Center for more guides on setting up and managing your booking website.