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Domain Names and SSL Certificates for React Applications

by ObserverPoint · July 27, 2025

Having a custom domain name and ensuring secure connections via SSL/TLS are fundamental steps to make your React application accessible, professional, and trustworthy to users. A custom domain provides a memorable address (like `your-app.com`), while an SSL certificate enables secure, encrypted communication (HTTPS), protecting user data and building trust. This article will guide you through the processes of registering a domain, configuring its DNS, and setting up SSL/TLS for your application.

1. Registering a Domain Name

A domain name is your website’s unique address on the internet (e.g., `google.com`, `myreactapp.dev`).

1.1. Choosing a Domain Name:

  • Relevant and Memorable: Should ideally reflect your brand or application’s purpose.
  • Short and Easy to Type: Avoid complex spellings or hyphens if possible.
  • Top-Level Domain (TLD): Common TLDs include `.com`, `.org`, `.net`. Newer, more specific TLDs like `.app`, `.dev`, `.tech` are also popular for tech projects.

1.2. Domain Registrars:

You purchase domain names from a domain registrar. These are organizations accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to manage domain name registrations.

  • Popular Registrars:
    • Namecheap: Known for competitive pricing and good service.
    • GoDaddy: One of the largest and most well-known.
    • Google Domains: Simple interface, good integration with Google services.
    • Cloudflare Registrar: Offers domains at wholesale prices, integrated with Cloudflare’s other services.
  • Purchase Process:
    1. Go to a registrar’s website.
    2. Search for your desired domain name to check availability.
    3. Select the available domain and proceed to purchase for a specified period (e.g., 1-10 years).

2. Configuring DNS (Domain Name System)

The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the internet’s phone book. It translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses (e.g., `your-app.com` to `192.0.2.1`). When you enter a domain name into your browser, DNS lookups direct your browser to the correct server where your application is hosted.

2.1. Key DNS Concepts:

  • Name Servers: These are the primary servers that hold your domain’s DNS records. When you register a domain, it defaults to your registrar’s name servers. You often change these to your hosting provider’s name servers or a dedicated DNS provider (like Cloudflare) for better performance and features.
  • DNS Records:
    • A Record (Address Record): Maps a domain name (or subdomain) to an IPv4 address.
      your-app.com  A  192.0.2.1
    • AAAA Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
    • CNAME Record (Canonical Name Record): Maps an alias domain name to another domain name. Useful for `www` subdomains or when your hosting provider gives you a generated hostname.
      www.your-app.com  CNAME  your-app.vercel.app
    • TXT Record: Stores text information, often used for domain verification (e.g., for SSL or email services).

2.2. Linking Your Domain to Your Hosting:

This process varies slightly depending on your hosting provider:

  • If using Vercel/Netlify/Azure Static Web Apps:
    1. In your hosting provider’s dashboard, go to your project settings and find the “Domains” section.
    2. Add your custom domain (e.g., `your-app.com`).
    3. The platform will provide you with DNS records (usually an A record or a CNAME record) or Name Servers to configure.
    4. Go to your domain registrar’s DNS management settings and either:
      • Update the Name Servers to point to your hosting provider’s Name Servers (recommended for full control by the host).
      • Add the specified A or CNAME records to your existing DNS settings (if you want to keep your current Name Servers).
    5. DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate globally.
  • If using AWS S3 + CloudFront:
    1. After setting up your CloudFront distribution, you’ll get a CloudFront distribution domain name (e.g., `d1234abcd.cloudfront.net`).
    2. Go to your DNS provider (e.g., AWS Route 53, or your domain registrar’s DNS manager).
    3. Create a CNAME record for `www.your-app.com` pointing to your CloudFront distribution domain.
    4. For the root domain `your-app.com`, you’ll usually create an “Alias” A record in Route 53, or use a “URL Redirect” at your registrar if they support it.

3. Setting up SSL/TLS for Secure Connections (HTTPS)

SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) are cryptographic protocols that provide secure communication over a computer network. When you see `HTTPS` in your browser’s address bar and a padlock icon, it means the connection is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate. This is crucial for:

  • Data Encryption: Protects sensitive information (passwords, credit card numbers) from being intercepted.
  • Data Integrity: Ensures data is not tampered with during transit.
  • Authentication: Verifies the identity of the website, preventing phishing.
  • SEO Benefits: Google prioritizes HTTPS websites in search rankings.
  • Trust: Users are more likely to trust and interact with secure websites.

3.1. How SSL/TLS Works (Simplified):

When a browser tries to connect to an HTTPS website, the website sends its SSL certificate. The browser verifies the certificate’s authenticity (checking its validity and if it’s issued by a trusted Certificate Authority – CA). If valid, the browser and server then establish an encrypted connection using public-key cryptography.

3.2. Obtaining and Configuring SSL/TLS Certificates:

The good news for React developers is that most modern hosting solutions simplify SSL setup significantly.

  • Managed Hosting Platforms (Vercel, Netlify, Azure Static Web Apps):

    These platforms typically provide free, automatic SSL/TLS certificates (usually powered by Let’s Encrypt) for your custom domains as soon as your DNS configuration is correct. You usually don’t need to do anything manually; they detect your domain, provision the certificate, and renew it automatically.

    • Pros: Zero configuration, free, automatic renewal.
    • Cons: Less control over certificate details.
  • Cloud Providers (AWS, GCP, Azure):

    • AWS: Use AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) to provision free SSL/TLS certificates. You then attach these certificates to your CloudFront distribution. ACM handles renewals automatically.

    • Azure: Azure App Service and Azure Static Web Apps also provide free SSL or allow you to upload your own.

    • GCP: Google Cloud Load Balancing supports Google-managed SSL certificates for free.

      • This approach gives you more control and integrates well within the respective cloud ecosystems.
  • Let’s Encrypt (Manual/Certbot):

    If you’re hosting on a VPS or a custom server where you have direct control, Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL/TLS certificates. You typically use a tool like Certbot to automate the certificate issuance and renewal process for your web server (e.g., Nginx, Apache).

    • Pros: Free, widely trusted, good for custom server setups.
    • Cons: Requires manual setup and configuration, need to ensure auto-renewal works.
  • Paid SSL Certificates:

    For specific enterprise needs or extended validation (EV) certificates, you might purchase SSL certificates from commercial Certificate Authorities (e.g., DigiCert, Sectigo). These offer different levels of validation and warranties but are generally not necessary for most React applications.


By securing a memorable domain name and implementing robust SSL/TLS encryption, your React application will be easily discoverable, provide a professional user experience, and build essential trust with your audience.

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