Custom domains are unique URLs purchased from a domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Strato, or IONOS) that help your website stand out and be easily found by potential customers. Using a custom domain with your Spreadshop enhances your brand's professionalism and trustworthiness, potentially improving your site’s visibility in search engine results.
How to connect your custom domain
- Purchase your domain: First, acquire a domain from any popular domain registrar such as GoDaddy, Strato, or IONOS.
- Setting up your shop: Navigate to Shop Settings → Advanced → Custom Domains in your Spreadshop dashboard.
- Enter your domain: Add your purchased domain name here to initiate the connection.
- Update CNAME records: Modify the CNAME records at your hosting service. This links your domain to your shop.
- Confirmation: Once processing is complete, the system will confirm that your domain is connected.
What is a CNAME Record?
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that allows you to map or “connect” one domain name to another. For your Spreadshop, you’ll add a CNAME record to point your custom domain (like shop.yourdomain.com) to the Spreadshop platform, ensuring your store appears when visitors type your custom URL.
How long does it take to update?
DNS changes, including CNAME updates, usually take a few minutes to a few hours to take effect. Due to DNS propagation across different global servers, it might occasionally take up to 24-48 hours for the update to be fully recognized worldwide.
What if I already have a domain in use?
If your domain is already in use (e.g., for a website or email), you have a few options:
- Continue using your domain: You can keep using your domain as is or update the CNAME to point directly to your shop.
- Subdomain setup: Establish a subdomain (like store.yourdomain.com) and connect it via a CNAME record to your Spreadshop.
- Domain transfer/update: If you want to dedicate your main domain solely to your shop, adjust your domain's DNS settings accordingly.
Does this affect my SEO?
Connecting a custom domain via a CNAME record should not negatively affect your SEO. Factors such as content quality, page speed, and user experience weigh more heavily on your site’s search rankings. If you are migrating from another platform, consider setting up 301 redirects from your old URLs to maintain SEO integrity.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues after updating your CNAME record:
- Verify DNS settings: Check your DNS configurations in your domain provider's dashboard.
- DNS propagation wait: Allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate fully.
- Confirm changes with provider: Contact your domain host to ensure changes are applied correctly.
- Contact support: If problems persist, reach out to our support team with a screenshot of your DNS settings for further assistance.
Contact for assistance
For any additional help, our support team is ready to assist you every step of the way in connecting your custom domain and enhancing your brand’s online presence. Feel free to contact us with any questions or issues you may encounter.