Custom Domain

Connect a custom domain to your storefront for a professional web presence.

Requirements

Custom domains require the Professional plan. Standard plan users can upgrade in Settings > Billing.

Setting Up a Custom Domain

Step 1: Add Domain in DealerSpot

1. Navigate to Settings
2. Select Domain
3. Enter your domain (e.g., www.yourdealership.com)
4. Click Add Domain

Step 2: Configure DNS

Add DNS records at your domain registrar or DNS provider:

For Root Domain (yourdealership.com)

Add an A record:

For Subdomain (www.yourdealership.com)

Add a CNAME record:

Step 3: Verify Domain

After adding DNS records:

1. Return to Settings > Domain
2. Click Verify
3. Wait for verification to complete

DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, though most changes take effect within a few hours.

SSL Certificate

Once verified, DealerSpot automatically provisions an SSL certificate:

• HTTPS enabled automatically
• Certificate renews automatically
• No additional configuration needed

Your site will be accessible via https://yourdomain.com.

Common DNS Providers

GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy
2. Go to Domain Settings
3. Select DNS Management
4. Add the required records

Cloudflare

1. Log in to Cloudflare
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS settings
4. Add records with proxy disabled initially

Namecheap

1. Log in to Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List
3. Click Manage next to your domain
4. Select Advanced DNS
5. Add the required records

Google Domains

1. Log in to Google Domains
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS
4. Add custom records

Troubleshooting

Domain Not Verifying

• Confirm DNS records are correct
• Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
• Check for typos in the domain name
• Ensure no conflicting records exist

SSL Certificate Not Working

• Verify domain is fully verified first
• Certificate provisioning can take up to 24 hours
• Check for mixed content issues

Website Not Loading

• Confirm DNS is pointing to DealerSpot
• Clear browser cache
• Try incognito/private browsing
• Check if the domain is verified in Settings

Multiple Domains

Professional plan supports multiple custom domains. Add additional domains following the same process.

Common use cases:

• yourdealership.com and www.yourdealership.com
• Regional domains
• Brand-specific domains

Removing a Domain

1. Navigate to Settings > Domain
2. Click Remove next to the domain
3. Confirm removal

After removal:

• Your storefront remains accessible via subdomain
• DNS records should be removed from your registrar
• SSL certificate is revoked

Subdomain Backup

Your yourname.dealerspot.dev subdomain always remains active, even with a custom domain configured. This provides a backup access method.

Best Practices

• Use www prefix or configure both root and www
• Keep DNS TTL low during setup, then increase it after verification
• Test thoroughly before promoting your custom domain
• Set up email forwarding if using the domain for email

Next Steps