> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cartble.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect a custom domain to your Cartble storefront

> Replace your default mycartble.com subdomain with your own branded domain name to give customers a professional storefront experience.

Every Cartble store launches with a free subdomain in the format `your-slug.mycartble.com`. While this gets you online immediately, a custom domain — such as `mystore.com` — builds brand trust and makes your store easier to find and remember. Custom domains are available on paid plans that include the custom domain addon.

<Warning>
  Custom domains require a paid plan with the `customDomain` addon enabled. If this option is greyed out in your settings, upgrade your plan in **Admin → Billing** first.
</Warning>

## Setting up your custom domain

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Domain settings">
    In your Cartble admin, go to **Settings → Domains**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your domain">
    Type your domain name into the **Custom Domain** field (for example, `mystore.com`). Do not include `www` — Cartble stores your apex domain and handles routing for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Note your DNS record details">
    Cartble displays the DNS record you need to add. For the recommended `www` setup, create a **CNAME** record with the name `www` pointing to the target shown in your Domains settings panel. Copy the exact target value from your admin — do not type it manually.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the record at your DNS provider">
    Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider (for example, Cloudflare, Namecheap, or GoDaddy) and create the DNS record using the values displayed in your Cartble admin. The process varies by provider but is typically found under **DNS Management** or **Zone Editor**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify your domain">
    Return to Cartble and click **Verify Domain**. Cartble checks whether the CNAME record has propagated correctly. If verification succeeds, your domain status changes to **Verified**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go live">
    Once verified, your storefront is accessible at your custom domain. Cartble automatically provisions an SSL certificate so your site loads securely over HTTPS.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate worldwide, depending on your DNS provider and your domain's previous TTL settings. If verification fails shortly after adding the CNAME record, wait a few hours and try again.
</Note>

## www vs. apex domains

<Tip>
  Using a `www` subdomain (for example, `www.mystore.com`) is generally simpler with CNAME-based setups because the DNS specification allows CNAME records on subdomains. Apex domains (`mystore.com` without `www`) require CNAME-flattening support from your DNS provider — Cloudflare supports this natively, but many traditional registrars do not. If you run into issues with your apex domain, try adding a `www` CNAME record and redirecting your apex to `www`.
</Tip>

## Verifying domain status

When you click **Verify Domain**, Cartble checks whether your DNS records have propagated and correctly point to your Cartble storefront. The verification process accepts both the apex (`mystore.com`) and the `www` variant (`www.mystore.com`), so your storefront is reachable from either once DNS propagates. Your domain settings panel displays the current verification state — **Verified** or **Pending** — so you can see at a glance whether your domain is live.