Configure Domain
To configure your store domain, go to the Settings tab and find the Domain settings.
You can either host DNS on WooCart, or keep your DNS hosting separate by checking the custom DNS box. For hosting DNS on WooCart, you'll need to change the nameservers. When using custom DNS, you'll need to add CNAME and A records to your DNS. The expected downtime is a lot shorter in the case of custom DNS (usually below 30 minutes compared to hours with regular nameserver change).
Enter your registered domain name, optionally check the box, and then click Set Store Domain. The store will be inaccessible until the process fully finishes. Subdomains are supported with custom DNS.
WooCart DNS: Setting Nameservers
If you keep the box unchecked, you'll see the nameservers in the box in a minute. After you've set them and our system registers the change, the final process of SSL certificate installation starts.
Important: all nameservers need to be added, otherwise the process will not finish.
Downtime is mostly dependant on DNS propagation and can take from an hour up to 24 hours. We recommend doing the change at night time for your customers and putting Scheduled Maintenance notification on your store before you start the process.
If you're not sure how to change the nameservers, here are the help articles for a few popular registrars:
- GoDaddy: Set custom nameservers for domains registered with GoDaddy
- NameCheap: How can I change the nameservers for my domain?
- Dynadot: How do I set my name servers for my domain?
Custom DNS: Set CNAME and A records
If you choose to keep DNS hosting separate, check the box and click Set Domain. You'll receive CNAME and A records that you need to enter at your DNS hosting, be it the registrar, Cloudflare, or something else.
Important: all records need to be added, otherwise the process will not finish.
If you'll be using Cloudflare, please disable cloud proxy (orange cloud) before setting the records. See Configuring Cloudflare.
Check Nameserver Propagation
To be sure you've configured the nameservers correctly, use a NS lookup service like DNS checker and DNS propagation check. You can also purge DNS cache with Google and Cloudflare.
Make sure the results shown are the same as the nameservers shown in your DNS settings.
Purging your local DNS cache
If everything shows that propagation is finished but your computer is still not opening the site, it might be your router or device DNS cache. There are a few options to try in this case:
- restart Wi-Fi on your computer (turn off and on),
- restart your computer,
- restart your router,
- use DNS over HTTPS in your browser (Chrome, Firefox).
Transactional Emails Settings
Once the domain is set, make sure you change your Transactional Emails configuration to Personalized Transactional Emails or configure your own SMTP provider.