[Closed] Setting DNS for multidomain mode

Hi there,

Thanks for your contact.

Before your ticket is assigned to one of my colleagues, please allow me to walk you through some initial debugging steps. This will help speed up the support process.

Please make sure to fully read and follow our doc related: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-url-options/how-to-use-wpml-with-different-domains-per-language/. There you'll find all the necessary info in order to make your domains work properly.

Kind regards,
Mateus.

Hi,

If you want to have different domains per language, this is a general overview of what you need to do:
- Buy or register a new domain. Before you can start configuring DNS settings and WPML settings, you need to make sure that the domains are yours. This is still not related to WPML, for this you need the services of a hosting provider. If you want, we have a list of hosting providers whose plans work well with WPML here:
https://wpml.org/hosting-partner/
Can you confirm this step is finished?

- Then, you will need to setup the DNS settings. As we explain in our documentation Mateus directed you to, this should be done by the company that sold you the domains.
We have ready-made texts you can send to them so they do that for you:
- When using separate domains: I want to add a parked domain (alias) to my existing domain. My existing domain is “example.com”. I want to park the “example.de” domain.
- When using sub-domains: I want to add the “de.example.com” subdomain to my “example.com” subdomain. It should point to the same location as the main domain.

Can you please explain to me how your domain are setup, what services your are using, the domains, so that I can understand better in what stage you are and how to better advise you?

Yes, this is good thank you.

To configure the DNS settings, you need to reach out to the company that sold you the domain, OVH.com, and ask for that.
You need to ask them the following:
"I want to add a parked domain (alias) to my existing domain. My existing domain is “growledlamp.IT”. I want to park the “Growledlamp.BE”, "Growledlamp.NL"... domains."
They will ask for the IP address of your website, i.e where it is hosted.

Only after doing this do you go to WPML -> Languages and change to "A different domain per language".

Please update me if you manage okay with the DNS settings.

Okay.

I am not sure in what stage you are, however it seems like the DNS settings were not setup correctly.

As we explain in our documentation, in order to test that the domains and DNS are setup correctly, try visiting both domains (with WPML deactivated) and you should see the same exact page.
https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-url-options/how-to-use-wpml-with-different-domains-per-language/#testing-if-the-domains-are-set-properly

This is still not really related to WPML, however I will try to help you.
Please explain to me what you asked from your provider, and what he replied.

No the domain must be as an alias. This is what we suggest our clients as their hosting providers:
"I want to add a parked domain (alias) to my existing domain. My existing domain is “example.com”. I want to park the “example.de” domain."

About his second question, I believe not as it is not mentioned in our documentation, but I will update you if yes.

Let's first try finishing the other DNS settings and then see if something is missing.

Well, the DNS settings are not set up correctly.

If the DNS settings are correct, all the domains should show the exact same site.
For example, if the DNS settings were correct, and WPML was deactivated, hidden link and hidden link would show the same site.

Please take a look at our documentation, if you are not sure about something:
https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/language-url-options/how-to-use-wpml-with-different-domains-per-language/#testing-if-the-domains-are-set-properly

Please explain to your host that what you need, in the end, is to be able to access the site through both domains. Unfortunately, this isn't something we can do for you, otherwise I would help more. Our recommended messages, the one I shared in my previous reply, should be enough for the host company to understand. Try to explain why you are asking this, perhaps that will help them understand.

Perhaps the authoritative NS is related, I will ask and update you.

I see.

I have asked the 2nd tier and they replied.

The issue is that the two domain are not pointing to the same folder. You need to explain that to your provider.
If they want an example, tell them that the license.txt file needs to be accessible through all the domains.
hidden link - Works fine
hidden link - 404 error

Their response of "pointer inserted" is the exact opposite of what we need. To setup a multidomain WPML, you do not need a pointer, you need an alias.

You need to ask them for both domains to point to the same folder, so that both domains show the same site, and both domains return the license.txt.