Product documentation

Documentation with custom domain

Custom domain docs give users a URL that matches your brand and feels safe to click. You should not have to run DNS infrastructure or certificate renewals yourself to get there. Hosted.md hosts public documentation for small teams: start on a hosted.md subdomain, then connect your own domain after trial.

docs.yourproduct.com
  • Getting started
  • Installation
  • API reference
  • Guides
  • Release notes

Why documentation with custom domain matters

A custom domain is part of how people judge trust. For public documentation, the URL in the address bar should line up with your product. Subdomains on a third party host can work early on, but many teams outgrow them once customers expect docs under their own hostname.

The hard part is not the idea. It is everything around it: DNS records, HTTPS certificates, and keeping both current. That is why documentation without infrastructure matters. You want the branding win without turning DNS into a second job.

What to look for

When you evaluate hosted docs custom domain options, look past the marketing page. The operational details are what you will live with.

  • HTTPS for your docs hostname without manual certificate babysitting
  • Clear steps to point DNS at the doc host you choose
  • A path from a temporary subdomain to your own domain when you are ready
  • Hosting and uptime handled for you, not another server you monitor
  • Publishing that stays simple so you keep shipping doc updates

For SaaS products, the same tradeoffs show up often. See SaaS documentation hosting for how that lines up with public docs for software teams.

Who owns DNS and SSL

With a fully DIY setup, you own certificates, renewals, and often a reverse proxy. With a hosted doc provider, you usually own DNS at your registrar and the provider handles HTTPS on their side once DNS is correct.

Self managed hosting

  • You provision TLS and watch expiry
  • You wire DNS to your own stack or CDN
  • You patch the server or platform behind the docs

Hosted documentation provider

  • You add DNS records your provider gives you
  • HTTPS for the doc site is included on hosted.md and custom domains
  • We host the site. You do not deploy or maintain our infrastructure

When Hosted.md is a strong fit

Hosted.md is built for documentation for small teams who want public docs with one flat price per site, no deployment, and no maintenance of our hosting stack on your side. Custom domain support is available after trial.

Start on a hosted.md subdomain

Ship docs quickly on our subdomain. Move to your own hostname when branding and timing line up.

Custom domain after trial

Connect your domain after the trial. SSL is included for hosted.md subdomains and custom domains.

One flat price per site

A single rate per documentation site. No per seat pricing, no usage tiers, no feature gates.

Optional Git integration

Connect a repository to sync content, or manage pages inside Hosted.md without Git.

Built in search

Help users find answers across your public documentation without extra plugins.

SSL included

HTTPS by default. You point DNS. We serve the site over TLS.

No deployment work from you

Create your site, add content or connect a repo, and publish. You are not responsible for our deploy pipeline or hosting maintenance.

For writing and information architecture, the guides section is a practical place to start.

Who it is for, and who it is not for

Hosted.md is not the right tool for every documentation problem. It is narrow on purpose.

A good fit

  • Teams that want branded public docs without running their own doc server
  • Founders who care about a clean docs URL and a simple monthly cost model
  • Small groups that want HTTPS and hosting handled while they focus on content

Not the focus

  • Multiple custom domains per documentation site or enterprise DNS products
  • Private docs, heavy permission systems, or internal wikis
  • Complex collaboration workflows, voting widgets, or AI writing tools

Quick fit check

A compact view of what Hosted.md is built to cover for public docs and domains.

Topic Hosted.md
Public documentation site Yes
hosted.md subdomain to start Yes
Custom domain after trial Yes
SSL for doc hostname Included
Multiple domains per site Not included

FAQ

What does documentation with custom domain mean?

It means your public docs are served on a hostname you control, such as docs.yourproduct.com, with HTTPS, instead of only living on a vendor default subdomain.

When can I connect my domain on Hosted.md?

You start on a hosted.md subdomain. Custom domain support is available after the trial. You point DNS using the records we provide.

Do I manage SSL certificates myself?

No. SSL is included for hosted.md subdomains and custom domains. You keep DNS correct at your registrar.

How does pricing work?

One flat price per documentation site. See the pricing page for details.

Is Hosted.md for private documentation?

No. It is focused on public product documentation rather than private or permissioned docs.

Product documentation without the complexity.

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