A domain name is your store's identity and web address on the internet. Domains are made up of:

• Top-level domain: The end of the website URL, usually .com, but can also be a country code (like .nl) or other options.
• Root domain: The main part of the website URL, for example shoplightspeed.com
• Subdomain: A distinct web address that's part of a larger root domain, for example  yourshopname.shoplightspeed.com

eCom (C-Series) provides you with a web address based on the name of your eCom shop. Depending on your location, your built-in domain will have either .webshopapp.com or .shoplightspeed.com added to the end of it.

It's not recommended advertising your built-in domain. For a more professional, cohesive brand experience and improved SEO, use a custom domain.

If you're replacing a publicly available website with your new eCom store, consider:

• Preserving your search engine ranking by adding redirects in eCom to help preserve the search engine ranking of your former website.
• Making the transition easier for your existing customers by advising your customers on your website that maintenance will occur and when it will begin and end. Try to launch your eCom store during a period of low traffic.
• Updating your traffic sources.

If you're keeping your eCom store and other website online on different subdomains:

• Set up your eCom store on an unused subdomain of your website, for example shop.domain.com.
• Make sure you don't delete any CNAME records that exist in your domain provider, as they are likely required for your other website.
• Help your customers navigate between your two websites by creating a custom link in your website and eCom store's navigation. Learn more about adding menu options with custom links.

Buying a domain

Domain names are purchased from domain providers, also known as domain registrars. 

To buy a custom domain for your eCom website:

1. Navigate to a domain provider's website.

2. Search for available domain names. It's possible that your first choice is already taken. Some domain providers offer similar suggestions. Keep searching until you find a domain name that suits your business.

   Your custom domain should be short, memorable, and use relevant keywords.

3. Add your domain to the cart and purchase it.

Adding your domain to eCom

1. In the eCom back office, navigate to Settings > Domains.

2. Click Add domain. You must own a domain name before adding it to eCom.

   

3. Add your domain name.

   If you have an existing website and want to link your eCom store from there, add an unused subdomain before your domain name, for example shop.domain.

4. Select the top-level domain from the dropdown, for example .com.
5. Click Save.

Follow the steps to connect your domain, including changing DNS settings, checking links, and setting your domain as default.

Connecting your domain

Log in to your domain provider account and change your DNS settings to match the information in your eCom back office.

1. Navigate to your domain provider's website and log into your account.
2. Find the DNS settings. These may be referred to as DNS zone files.
3. Create a CNAME record:
   1. Host/alias: Copy and paste the Name from your eCom Record 1.
   2. Points to/destination: Copy and paste the Value from your eCom Record 1.
   3. Time to live (TTL): Time to live may be requested but it's not required. Leave it as the default value or if no default is provided, select 1 hour or enter 3600 seconds.
4. Save your changes.
5. Create two A records:
   1. Host/alias/name: Enter the @ symbol.
   2. Points to/destination: Enter the first IP address specified according to location.
      • Europe: 104.16.8.49 (first record), 104.17.156.30 (second record)
      • North America: 162.159.129.85 (first record), 162.159.130.85 (second record)
6. Save your changes. Create the second A record using the second IP address.

It may take several hours for your domain to connect.

Testing your domain

To test if your custom domain is live:

1.  Open a private browsing window (for example, a Chrome Incognito window).
2. Visit your website using your newly configured domain. If you see your eCom store load with your new domain in the address bar, your domain is connected. If not, try again in 1-2 hours.

If you've waited 24 hours and your domain still has not connected, review the instructions on this page to ensure all your settings are correctly configured. Then, verify that the A records in your domain provider's DNS settings are not pointing to another website and interfering with your CNAME record. This can prevent you from successfully connecting your domain to eCom. If you've verified the interfering A records are not required for any of your websites, you can delete them.

Deleting A records should be done with extreme care, as doing so incorrectly could result in bring a website down. Do not delete any records until you are sure they are not required. Before deleting any records, record the IP address in case you need to recreate the same record again. You may want to contact your domain provider for more information on the records if you aren't sure.

Setting your domain as default in eCom 

Once your domain is connected, you can set your domain as the default in your eCom back office. 

Only set your domain as default once your eCom store is live on your domain. If you change the default before it's live, you could lose access to your eCom back office.

1. In the eCom back office, navigate to Settings > Domains.

2. Click Set as default for the new domain you added.

   

Changing a domain

To change a subdomain:

1. In the eCom back office, navigate to Settings > Domains.
2. Click Set as default beside the .webshopapp.com or .shoplightspeed.com domain.
3. Click the trash (Delete) icon next to the custom domain.
4. Click Add domain and follow the steps in the previous sections to add and connect your new domain.
5. Update the DNS records of the domain connected to Lightspeed eCom.
6. If needed, navigate to your domain provider's redirect settings and create a redirect to ensure traffic accessing your old domain is automatically sent to the new one. Contact your domain provider for assistance with redirects.