Connect a Custom Domain
Connect a website address your dealership controls to a branch storefront.
Use a custom domain when you want the branch website at an address your dealership controls. DealerSpot shows the exact record to copy into your domain provider.
Prerequisites
- The branch needs an active DealerSpot storefront and subdomain.
- You need Owner or Admin access in DealerSpot and permission to edit DNS with the domain's registrar or DNS provider.
Add the domain in DealerSpot
- Open Settings.
- Select Branches.
- Choose the branch that should use the domain.
- Scroll to Domain.
- Enter the website address in Custom Domain, such as
www.example.comorexample.com. - Save the form.
Enter only the domain. Do not include https://, another page after the domain, or a final slash.
Add the generated DNS record
After you save, DealerSpot shows a TXT, A, or CNAME record.
- Keep the DealerSpot domain panel open.
- Sign in to the service that manages DNS for the domain.
- Create a record and copy every field exactly as DealerSpot shows it.
- Save the record with the DNS provider.
- Return to DealerSpot and review the domain status.
Domain providers use different labels. One may say Host while another says Name. Copy the DealerSpot values without replacing them with values from another guide.
Do not reuse records from another branch or guide
The required record depends on the domain and its current status. Use the record displayed for this branch's saved domain.
Understand domain status
DealerSpot checks the saved domain automatically and provides a Refresh action for another check.
| Status | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pending verification | Add or correct the displayed TXT record |
| Invalid configuration | Add or correct the displayed A or CNAME record |
| Configured | The current DNS configuration passed DealerSpot's check |
| Domain not added | Save the custom domain in the branch form first |
Domain changes can take time outside DealerSpot. Keep the shown record in place and check the status again later.
Change or remove the domain
To change the domain, replace the value in Custom Domain, save, and follow the newly generated DNS instructions.
To remove it:
- Clear Custom Domain in the branch settings.
- Save the form.
- Remove obsolete DealerSpot DNS records from your DNS provider when you no longer need them.
Removing the custom domain does not delete the branch or its DealerSpot subdomain.
Troubleshooting
The status stays on pending verification
Compare the TXT record one character at a time. Check whether your provider added the main domain to the Host value for you.
The status reports invalid configuration
Replace conflicting A or CNAME records for the same host only if you understand what currently uses them. Then enter the exact record shown by DealerSpot.
The domain opens another website
The website address may still point to a previous service. Review its records with your domain provider and remove conflicts before refreshing the DealerSpot status.
The Custom Domain field is unavailable
Confirm that you are using an Owner or Admin account. If the field is still unavailable, contact your DealerSpot account representative.