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Connect a custom domain or subdomain

Premium kitchens can connect one customer-facing hostname. Use a root domain such as example.com for a standalone Stovefront site, or a subdomain such as order.example.com when an existing website should remain at example.com.

Choose the customer address​

Before connecting, decide which address customers should consider primary:

  • example.com — a root or apex domain;
  • www.example.com — the www subdomain, usually redirected to the root;
  • order.example.com, shop.example.com, or menu.example.com — a dedicated ordering subdomain.

Root, www, and other subdomains are separate hostnames. When you connect a root domain, Stovefront automatically adds www as a secure redirect to the root and displays the DNS records for both addresses. Other subdomains remain separate.

If the business already has a website it wants to keep, connect an ordering subdomain. Adding DNS for order.example.com does not change the website at example.com.

Before you begin​

  • Make sure you own the domain and can edit its DNS records.
  • Find the company managing the DNS. This is often the registrar, but it may be a separate service such as Cloudflare.
  • Do not share registrar passwords, two-factor codes, or recovery credentials with Stovefront.

Connect the hostname​

  1. Open Admin → Website → Domain.
  2. Enter the exact root domain or subdomain customers should visit.
  3. Do not include https:// or a page path.
  4. Select Connect domain.
  5. Stovefront displays the exact DNS records required for that hostname.

If no DNS records appear, do not guess them. Retry after a few minutes. A Stovefront provider error must be resolved before changing DNS.

Add the DNS records​

Sign in to the company managing the domain and open its DNS or zone editor. Create every record shown by Stovefront. The values in Stovefront are generated for the connected domain; do not copy DNS values from an example or another kitchen.

DNS providers use slightly different labels:

Stovefront nameSome providers may showMeaning
@blank, root, or the full domainThe root domain, such as example.com
wwwwww.example.comThe www subdomain
orderorder.example.comA dedicated ordering subdomain

Root domains commonly use A records. Subdomains commonly use a CNAME record. Always use the exact Type, Name, and Value shown in Stovefront. When Stovefront shows two A rows with the same @ name, create both records; do not replace the first value with the second.

If Stovefront displays Remove these conflicting DNS records, delete each exact Type, Name, and Value listed there. Registrar URL forwarding or parking can create a conflicting A record in a separate forwarding screen. Do not remove unrelated MX, SPF, DKIM, TXT, or mail records.

Use both root and www​

Connect the root domain in Stovefront when it should be the primary customer address. Stovefront automatically provisions www as a permanent HTTPS redirect to the root and displays both required DNS records. Add every record shown; do not use registrar URL forwarding for www.

Confirm that both HTTPS addresses work before sharing them with customers.

Finish setup​

  1. Return to Admin → Website → Domain.
  2. Select Check DNS and verify.
  3. Wait until the status changes to Connected.
  4. Publish the storefront from the admin header.
  5. Test the home page, menu, checkout, pickup details, and contact links in a private browser.
  6. For a root domain, test both https://example.com and https://www.example.com. The www address should redirect to the root.

DNS updates can take a few minutes or several hours to propagate. Keep the included Stovefront address available until the custom hostname is verified and tested.