Set Up Your Online Hub With Leadpages and Hover

Get your domain name, link it to Leadpages and publish a nice opt-in for your form.

You need:

• Hover account.

• Leadpages account.

• Offer name and one-line promise for the Creator’s Toolkit.

• Three short bullets that describe the value.

• One simple image or cover.

• Your email platform login for the form.

• Payment method for the domain.

• Brand name and a short bio.

Steps

1. Define a simple site plan. Use one page for now. Keep a clear flow from headline to form to proof.

2. Write your core content. Create one promise line for the offer. Add three short bullets. Prepare one image. Write a two-line bio.

3. List three or more domain ideas. Prefer short words people spell on the first try. Avoid numbers and hyphens.

4. Open Hover. Search for your best domain. Choose dot com if open. Choose a trusted top-level domain that fits your niche if it is not open. Make sure you didn’t use a hyphen to force a match.

5. Add the domain to the cart. Turn on WHOIS privacy. Turn on Auto Renew.

6. Create your Hover account. Enter contact details. Use real name or company details. Verify that the address, phone, and email match your payment records.

7. Pay for the domain. Save the receipt. Open the verification email from Hover. Click the link. Everything is successful, the domain shows Active in Hover account.

8. Open Leadpages. Log in to your dashboard.

9. Create a new landing page. Click Create, then Landing Page. Name the page Home.

10. Pick a clean template. Use a layout which features a hero, short text, single form and footer.

11. Edit the hero. Replace the headline with your promise line. Keep words simple and direct.

12. Add your bullets. Place three short lines under the headline. Start each with a verb.

13. Place your image. Use a clear mockup or brand image. Compress before upload for faster load. Make Sure: The image is clear on mobile.

14. Add the opt-in form. Keep only First Name and Email. Open Form Settings. Connect to your email platform.

15. Set the button text. Use Get the Toolkit or Get the guide. Keep words short.

16. Set the form action. Send people to a thank-you page. Prepare a delivery email for the Creator’s Toolkit.

17. Trim the page. Remove extra sections. Keep hero, bullets, form, proof, and footer.

18. Add light proof. Place three checkmarks near the form. Use short phrases like Easy steps, Clear tools, Fast setup.

19. Tune mobile view. Open mobile preview. Raise font size if the text looks small. Make sure text fits on the screen.  Buttons are easy to tap.

20. Set SEO basics. Open Page Settings, then SEO. Put in a catchy title and a description in one line that backs up your promise.

21. Connect your domain in Leadpages. Open Domains in Leadpages. Click Connect Domain. Enter your Hover domain. Copy the records Leadpages provides.

22. Add DNS records in Hover. Open your domain, then DNS. You should point www to the target Leadpages show using a CNAME record. Save changes. Make sure: The values from Leadpages are the same as the ones in Hover.

23. Forward the root to www. Set domain forwarding in Hover so the root sends people to www. Tip: Use a permanent 301 redirect!

24. Wait for DNS to update. This often takes a short time. Keep refreshing until you see Connected in the Leadpages domain status.

25. Publish your page. Click Publish. Open the live URL on mobile and desktop. Submit the form with a test email. Make sure the test email is received and the thank you page appears. 

26. Save a reusable template. In Leadpages, click Save as Template. Use this file for future pages to keep the style and speed.

27. Set a renewal reminder. Make a note to remind me of the domain renewal 30 days before. Store the receipt and login details in a safe place.
    

Quick check

• The page loads fast on mobile and desktop.

• The headline states one clear promise.

• The form submits and sends a test email.

• Your Hover domain connects the Leadpages page for both the www and root sections.

• Only one section asks for action.
  

Fix common issues

Make sure that your domain is set up correctly in Hover first. The CNAME in Hover should match the target we show in Leadpages, then save your changes and allow time for the DNS to propagate.

If the root isn't loading, add the domain forwarding in Hover from the root to www and test again.

If the form does not email you, reconnect the form to your email platform in Leadpages and submit another test. 

Remove unnecessary sections and big backgrounds for a lighter page weight. Resize the image to 1200 pixels wide.

If the domain is verifying slowly, wait a little while, click Refresh from the Leadpages domain panel and test again.

Resources

Your Foundation in Digitally Setting Up Your Domains & Hosting

Mini-course: Quick Start to Build Your Online Hub.

Publish your home page today, then add an extra thank you and delivery page. To get your next moves in order, open my website’s Creator’s Toolkit. It provides a simple route from domain to launch without any tech overload.