Connecting Your Custom Domain
Give your store a professional look by using your own domain name instead of the default subdomain.
Prerequisites
- Before you begin:
- Purchase a domain from a registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
- Have access to your domain's DNS settings
Do not delete your existing DNS records until the new domain is verified. This could cause downtime for any existing services using this domain.
Option 1: CNAME Record (Recommended)
This method keeps your domain registrar managing DNS.
Step 1: Add Domain in Orbit 1. Go to **Settings > Domains** 2. Click **Add Domain** 3. Enter your domain (e.g., store.yourbrand.com) 4. Click **Add**
Step 2: Configure DNS 1. Log into your domain registrar 2. Navigate to DNS settings 3. Add a CNAME record: - **Name/Host**: www (or your subdomain) - **Value/Target**: shops.orbitcommerce.net - **TTL**: Auto or 1 hour
Pro Tip
Set a low TTL (300 seconds) during setup. You can increase it after verification to improve performance.
Step 3: Verify 1. Wait up to 24 hours for DNS propagation 2. Return to Orbit and click **Verify** 3. Your domain should show as connected
Option 2: Nameservers
Transfer DNS management to Orbit for easier setup.
Step 1: Get Nameservers 1. Go to **Settings > Domains > Add Domain** 2. Choose **Use Orbit Nameservers** 3. Copy the provided nameservers
Step 2: Update at Registrar 1. Log into your domain registrar 2. Find nameserver settings 3. Replace with Orbit's nameservers 4. Save changes
Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate worldwide. Your store will still be accessible via the default subdomain during this time.
SSL Certificates
SSL is automatically provisioned when your domain is verified. This may take up to 1 hour after verification.
Important Security Notice
Never disable SSL on your store. All Orbit Commerce stores require HTTPS for payment processing compliance.
Troubleshooting
- **Domain not verifying?**
- Check DNS records are correct
- Wait 24-48 hours for propagation
- Clear browser cache
- **SSL not working?**
- Ensure domain is verified first
- Wait 1 hour after verification
- Contact support if issues persist