How to use a Custom Domain
In this article:
Basic terms for custom domains
How to set up a custom domain with Sellfy
How does the SSL certificate work on Sellfy?
How to use forwarding settings
What is a custom domain?
A custom domain is a customized or unique name that's used for your website or Sellfy store. For example, Sellfy's custom domain is sellfy.com. By connecting a customized domain name, you can create a unique website address for your store.
Note: Custom domain names are not included with a Sellfy subscription. But, you can purchase a domain from an official domain registrar and connect the domain to your Sellfy store.
Doesn't my Sellfy store come with a store name that's part of the website address? Yes! When creating your Sellfy store, you'll choose a name for your store. This store name will be made into a subdomain of Sellfy, and that means that your chosen store name will be part of a URL or link that includes both "Sellfy" and "store". For example, if you name your Sellfy store Fancy Presets, then the online address for your store is fancypresets.sellfy.store. You don't need to connect a custom domain. This is optional.
Why would I connect a custom domain? If you'd like to have more control over your domain name, associate your store with another website that you have, or if you'd like to have a URL that doesn't include "Sellfy" and "store", you can connect your own customized domain. Connecting a custom domain is the best way to "white label" your store. Instead of fancypresets.sellfy.store, your store URL could be fancypresets.com or www.fancypresets.com.
Basic terms for custom domains
The following terms will be helpful to know when connecting your customized domain name.
DNS settings - DNS stands for the Domain Name System. The DNS settings will be the settings of your domain provider that allow you that add and edit records relating to your domain name. For example, the DNS settings are where you will add or edit your CNAME record.
CNAME record - A CNAME, also known as Canonical Name record, is a type of resource record in the Domain Name System (DNS). The CNAME record will point your domain name to another domain name. When connecting your domain to Sellfy, you are setting up a CNAME record.
Root domains - A root domain is a domain without a subdomain in front, for example sellfy.com is a root domain. Root domains are added in DNS records using the “@,” symbol. There are only a few domain providers that allow you to use a root domain with a CNAME record. Typically, you will need to set up a CNAME record with a subdomain.
Subdomains - A subdomain is a subdivision of your domain name. For example, if you want to use www.mywebsite.com, "www" would be a subdomain of mywebsite.com. You can use any word you like as a subdomain.
Forwarding settings - Domain forwarding lets you automatically direct customers from one domain to another domain. For example, you can direct customers from domain.com to www.domain.com. Forwarding settings can not be used to connect your custom domain, rather you can use them in addition to your CNAME record.
How to set up a Custom Domain with Sellfy
To see how to connect your custom domain to your Sellfy store please watch our instructional video or follow the step-by-step instructions provided.
You'll always connect your domain name using a CNAME record.
Steps for connecting a custom domain:
- Purchase a domain name
- Find out if your domain provider allows for a root domain or a subdomain in a CNAME record
- Go to your domain provider's DNS settings
- Create a CNAME record
- For the "name" or "host" field enter @ or your chosen subdomain
- For the "points to" or "value" field enter domains.sellfy.com
- Save your record
- For the "name" or "host" field enter @ or your chosen subdomain
- Go to Store settings > Customization in your Sellfy account
- Type the domain name in the Custom domain field and press save
- Wait for DNS settings to update (typically 30 mins to 48 hours)
If you see the message in the image below, the domain is not yet connected. First, please wait 30 minutes to 48 hours. If this is still showing after this time, we recommend that you look over your record for corrections or ask us for help at [email protected].
How does the SSL certificate work on Sellfy?
We will automatically generate an SSL certificate on your behalf using Let’s Encrypt at no extra cost.
Let's Encrypt is a certificate authority that can be used to generate totally free X.509 (SSL/TLS) certificates.
How to use forwarding settings
Important! Your custom domain can not be connected using only forwarding settings. To properly connect your domain you will use a CNAME record. The forwarding setting should be set up after your CNAME record has been set up.
Forwarding settings are optional, and they can be used to have more than one domain name direct customers to your Sellfy store.
This is useful if your domain provider only allows for subdomains to be used in the CNAME record. For example, you can set up forwarding settings so that your customers using both mydomain.com and www.mydomain.com will be directed to your Sellfy store.
To achieve this setup you'll forward your root domain to your subdomain (like website.com forwarding to www.website.com) that's been connected to your Sellfy store. Forwarding settings should be both "permanent" and "forward only" or without masking.
