Find answers to the most common questions about purchasing, connecting, and managing a custom domain in Kartra.
Buying a domain through Kartra
How much do domains cost?
Pricing is set by IONOS, Kartra’s domain partner. After you search for a domain name inside Kartra, you’ll see the available options and pricing directly from IONOS.
Who bills me for the domain?
When you buy a domain from within Kartra, your purchase contract is with IONOS. All billing, renewals, and payment methods are handled in your IONOS account.
Does my domain purchase include an email address?
Not by default. A domain purchase includes the domain only. If you want an email inbox (like info@yourdomain.com), you can:
- Add mailbox hosting during checkout at IONOS, or
- Use a separate email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho, etc.)
IONOS email services are purchased on top of your domain registration.
Where do I manage my domain after purchase?
All domain management, including DNS changes, billing, and renewals, is done at IONOS. You can log in here: https://login.ionos.com/
What happens if I buy a domain through Kartra but my plan is at its domain limit?
Your purchase will succeed, and you will own the domain in IONOS. However, you won’t be able to connect it in Kartra unless you:
- Upgrade your plan, or
- Remove another connected domain.
Buying a domain does not increase your domain limit.
Can I transfer my IONOS domain to a different registrar later?
Yes. You own the domain and can transfer it to another provider following the transfer process provided by IONOS. Find more information at the IONOS help center or contact their Support Team.
Connecting a pre-existing domain to Kartra
These answers apply to domains that were purchased outside of Kartra and added to Kartra using the “Add custom domain” option in your Domains dashboard.
Why is the Automatic configuration option grayed out when I try to connect my domain?
This means your domain host does not support automatic DNS updates. You can still connect the domain by using manual setup.
What happens to my DNS records when I connect a domain to Kartra?
Automatic setup configures the DNS records needed to route your domain to Kartra. This includes:
- A CNAME record pointing your domain (www) or subdomain to Kartra
- A domain forwarding rule directing your root domain to its www. version
If your domain currently points to another website (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, etc.), connecting it will replace your previous records, which will disable that site.
To keep your existing website live, consider using a subdomain (like pages.yourdomain.com) instead.
Do I need to create a subdomain before connecting it?
It depends on your domain provider.
Some providers require you to create a subdomain before adding DNS records, while others create it automatically as soon as the CNAME record is added.
If you’re unsure, check with your domain registrar.
Can I connect multiple subdomains from the same domain?
Yes. However, keep in mind that your Kartra plan has a limited number of domain connection slots, and each subdomain occupies a slot.
Check what’s included in your Kartra subscription plan from your account Billing page.
Why does my domain still show “Processing”?
Most domains connect within minutes to a few hours, but DNS propagation can take up to 24 hours. If processing takes longer:
- your DNS provider may be slow to update, or
- your DNS records may not be added correctly
Contact Kartra Support with a screenshot of your DNS settings so we can help verify them.
What does the “Domain already exists” error mean?
This means the domain is already connected to another Kartra account, even if it is not visible in yours. If you recently removed it, you should be able to connect it again within an hour.
Delays are possible at times. If you have trouble re-connecting your domain 24 hours after removal, please contact our Support Team.
Can I connect the same domain to more than one Kartra account?
No. A domain can only be connected to one account at a time.
Can I undo the automatic setup if I selected it accidentally?
There is no “Undo” button. Automatic setup updates your DNS immediately, so any changes you need to revert or modify must be done manually in your domain host’s DNS settings.
Will connecting a domain to Kartra affect the other tools I use to send email?
Generally, no.
Connecting a domain to Kartra adds the DKIM record needed for sending emails through KartraMail, but it should not interfere with your existing email provider’s MX, SPF, or other required records.
However, it is always best to review your DNS after connection to ensure all email-related records are still correct.
What happens to my IONOS domain if I cancel my Kartra subscription?
Your domain is unaffected. It remains fully under your control in IONOS. You can point it to any website or update its DNS settings at any time.
Canceling Kartra does not cancel your domain registration. If you no longer want the domain, you must cancel it directly in your IONOS account.
Managing pages and URLs
When I visit my domain, I see a “Something went wrong” page. How do I fix it?
This usually means your index and 404 pages have not been set. Learn how to configure your index and 404 pages.
What happens to my pages if I remove a connected domain from Kartra?
Any pages or assets using that domain will revert to their original Kartra-generated URLs. Your custom domain URLs will no longer load those pages.
Can I use the same domain for both my main website and Kartra?
Yes, as long as you use different subdomains. A single hostname (like www) can only point to one platform at a time.