How to Publish Your Custom GPT
to a Custom Domain
Custom GPTs from OpenAI are powerful tools for building AI agents, but they come with a major limitation: you can't easily share them publicly or deploy them to your own website. Here's how to solve that problem using CalStudio.
⚠️ The Custom GPT Problem
OpenAI's Custom GPTs are great for personal use, but they have significant sharing limitations:
- • Users need ChatGPT Plus subscriptions to access them
- • Can't be embedded on websites
- • No custom domain hosting
- • Limited public accessibility
💡 The CalStudio Solution
CalStudio lets you recreate your Custom GPT and deploy it to:
- ✅ Your own custom domain (chat.yourbusiness.com)
- ✅ Public access without signup requirements
- ✅ Website embedding with chat widgets
- ✅ Full control over branding and appearance
Why Deploy to a Custom Domain?
Professional Branding
Host your AI assistant on your own domain for complete brand consistency.
Public Accessibility
Anyone can access your GPT without ChatGPT subscriptions or signups.
Full Analytics
Track usage, conversations, and user engagement with detailed analytics.
Monetization Options
Charge for access, collect leads, or integrate payment systems.
OpenAI Custom GPTs vs. CalStudio Deployment
| Feature | OpenAI Custom GPT | CalStudio |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Domain | ❌ Not Available | ✅ Full Support |
| Public Access | ❌ Plus Required | ✅ No Signup Needed |
| Website Embedding | ❌ Not Possible | ✅ Widget & iFrame |
| Analytics | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Comprehensive |
| Monetization | ❌ Not Available | ✅ Multiple Options |
Step-by-Step Guide: Deploy Your Custom GPT
1 Sign Up for CalStudio
Visit CalStudio.com and create your free account. CalStudio provides a no-code platform for building and deploying AI applications.
2 Create Your App
Once logged in, click the "Create App" button on your dashboard to start building your Custom GPT equivalent.
3 Configure Your GPT Bot
Fill out the form with details from your original Custom GPT:
- Model Selection: Choose your preferred GPT model (GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, etc.)
- Name: Use the same name as your Custom GPT
- Description: Copy your Custom GPT's description
- System Prompt: Transfer your Custom GPT's instructions
- Knowledge Base: Upload the same files you used in your Custom GPT
💡 Pro Tip: Perfect Recreation
To recreate your Custom GPT exactly:
- • Copy the exact system instructions from your Custom GPT
- • Upload the same knowledge base files
- • Use the same conversation starters if you had them
- • Match the tone and personality settings
4 Test Your App
Click "Create App" and your GPT bot will appear in your dashboard. Test it thoroughly using the built-in chat interface to ensure it behaves like your original Custom GPT.
Make any necessary adjustments to the prompt or settings until you're satisfied with the responses.
5 Access Publishing Options
Once your app is ready, click on the "Publish" option in the status row. You'll see several deployment options:
- Public Link: Get a shareable CalStudio URL
- Custom Domain: Deploy to your own domain
- Embed Code: Get code for website integration
Select "Custom Domain" to deploy your GPT to your own domain.
6 Enter Your Domain
Provide the domain name where you want to host your GPT bot. You can use:
- Root Domain: yourdomain.com
- Subdomain: chat.yourdomain.com
- AI Subdomain: ai.yourdomain.com
- Support Subdomain: support.yourdomain.com
🔧 Domain Requirements
Before proceeding, ensure:
- • You own the domain you're entering
- • You have access to your domain's DNS settings
- • The domain/subdomain isn't already in use
7 Configure DNS Settings
After clicking "Publish", CalStudio will provide you with NS (Name Server) records that need to be added to your domain's DNS configuration.
DNS Configuration Steps:
- Copy the provided NS records from CalStudio
- Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
- Navigate to DNS settings for your domain
- Add the NS records exactly as provided
- Save the changes
⏰ DNS Propagation Time
DNS changes typically take 24-48 hours to propagate worldwide. During this time, some users may see the old content while others see your new GPT bot.
Video Tutorial: DNS Setup Guide
Watch this step-by-step video tutorial that walks through the entire DNS configuration process:
Advanced Features & Customization
SSL & Security
CalStudio automatically provides SSL certificates for your custom domain, ensuring secure HTTPS connections for all users.
Custom Branding
Once deployed, you can customize:
- Chat widget appearance and colors
- Welcome messages and conversation starters
- Favicon and page title
- Custom CSS for advanced styling
Analytics & Monitoring
Track your GPT's performance with built-in analytics:
📈 Usage Metrics
Daily/monthly conversation counts, user engagement rates
🌍 Geographic Data
Where your users are located worldwide
💬 Conversation Insights
Popular topics and user questions
⏱️ Response Times
Performance monitoring and optimization
Popular Use Cases for Custom Domain GPTs
Business Support
Deploy customer support GPTs on support.company.com for 24/7 assistance.
- • Product information and FAQs
- • Order status and tracking
- • Technical troubleshooting
- • Appointment scheduling
Educational Resources
Create learning assistants on learn.school.edu for students and faculty.
- • Course information and syllabus
- • Homework help and tutoring
- • Research assistance
- • Administrative support
Healthcare Information
Host health information bots on health.clinic.com for patient education.
- • General health information
- • Appointment booking
- • Medication information
- • Insurance and billing
E-commerce Assistant
Deploy shopping assistants on shop.brand.com for personalized recommendations.
- • Product recommendations
- • Size and fit guidance
- • Order assistance
- • Return and exchange help
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
❌ Domain Not Working After 48 Hours
Solution:
- Double-check NS records are entered correctly
- Ensure there are no conflicting DNS records
- Contact your domain registrar for support
- Use DNS checker tools to verify propagation
⚠️ SSL Certificate Issues
Solution:
- Wait up to 24 hours for automatic SSL provisioning
- Ensure domain is properly pointing to CalStudio
- Contact CalStudio support if issues persist
ℹ️ Subdomain vs Root Domain
Recommendation: Use subdomains (chat.yourdomain.com) rather than root domains for easier DNS management and to avoid conflicts with existing websites.
Your Custom GPT is Now Live!
Congratulations! You've successfully deployed your Custom GPT to a custom domain. Your AI assistant is now publicly accessible, professionally branded, and ready to serve users without any barriers.
🎉 What You've Accomplished
- ✅ Recreated your Custom GPT on CalStudio
- ✅ Deployed it to your own custom domain
- ✅ Made it publicly accessible without signup barriers
- ✅ Gained access to detailed analytics and insights
- ✅ Opened up monetization opportunities
🚀 Next Steps
- 1. Share your custom domain with users and customers
- 2. Monitor analytics to understand usage patterns
- 3. Consider embedding the chat widget on your main website
- 4. Explore monetization options if applicable
- 5. Scale up by creating additional specialized GPTs
