Custom store URLs by default will be YourStoreName.creator-spring.com. However, you have the ability to purchase and connect a custom domain for your store. Using a custom domain enhances your brand and over time it can increase your search rankings and discoverability too.

Create the perfect domain name

• Using a domain name fans will easily recognize your social handle, channel name, or brand. For example, if your Instagram handle is @TheCreator, your domain name should be https://www.thecreator.com.
• Keep domains as short as possible so they’re easy to remember and type out.
• Consider adding keywords such as ‘merch” or a word related to your niche, social media content type, or design style.

Purchase a new domain

You can purchase a custom domain through Spring directly within the ‘stores’ section of your account. Purchasing a domain through Spring is the easiest way to set up a custom domain for your store with no technical knowledge required. We offer competitive pricing, plus there’s no need to manually configure DNS settings. Our creator help team will be able to answer questions and provide assistance for your domain too.  

1. Navigate to the “Stores” tab of your dashboard and click “purchase a domain”.
2. Enter your preferred domain name in the search bar and browse available and most popular domains at the top of the results. Each domain will show a yearly subscription fee, allowing you to compare prices.
3. Fill in your address and choose whether you’d like your domain to automatically renew yearly. Continue to checkout.
4. Once the purchase is complete, we will automatically verify your DNS records.
5. Once the purchase is complete your domain will work immediately. You’ll be prompted to verify your domain contact information via email–you must complete contact verification or the domain will be suspended.

Note: If you advertise your products on Facebook you’ll want to prioritize eight conversion events in Facebook Business Manager following step 4. Learn more. 

Connect an existing external domain

If you have already purchased a domain using an external registrar, enter it within the “Stores” tab of the dashboard and select “connect a domain”. Once connected, whenever someone enters your URL e.g. www.mystore.com, they’ll be taken to your custom Spring store. If you don’t own a domain yet, see above to learn how to purchase one. 

To connect your existing domain to your store, you’ll need to edit your DNS settings in your domain registrar’s control panel to include a CNAME and A record that points to your store:

Both the A and CNAME records are required. The A record (also known as the root record) will ensure that visitors to e.g. thecreator.com (no www) are correctly shown your Spring store. The CNAME record will ensure that visitors to e.g. www.thecreator.com are also taken to your Spring store.

Follow these instructions once you have edited your DNS settings in your domain registrar’s panel: 

1. Return to your Spring dashboard in the Stores tab where you’ll see the domain you’re in the process of setting up. 
2. To verify your DNS changes, click the button next to the domain you’re connecting titled ‘Setup incomplete, click to resume’. This will automatically attempt to verify the DNS records previously configured with your domain registrar. If this fails, click the button again to confirm that the DNS records are entered correctly, and retry.
3. In the event that verification fails (sometimes it can take a few minutes), simply reattempt verification by clicking the button labeled ‘Verify’ at the bottom of the page.
4. Once your DNS records have been verified, you will see a success message. 

Note: If you advertise your products on Facebook you’ll want to prioritize eight conversion events in Facebook Business Manager following step 4. Learn more.

Here are additional DNS resources for popular registrars:

Connect a subdomain

If you already own a domain, you can create a subdomain of it for free. For example, if you already use thecreator.com for your blog, you can create a subdomain for it such as shop.thecreator.com to host your Spring store.

The difference in connecting a domain vs. a subdomain is the DNS setup.  For a subdomain, you will only have to set one record (a CNAME on the subdomain provided).  We provide instructions within the dashboard after you have connected the subdomain on how to do this.