How to Setup Custom Domain for BigCommerce store?

To find the things they want to purchase, the average shopper doesn’t need to know anything about the inner workings of the internet. Most people conduct a fast web search or go straight to an online marketplace. It’s easy to get confused while trying to decipher tech jargon or grasp how your website interacts with the internet as a whole if you’re a retailer with a conventional, offline store looking to expand into eCommerce. It can be difficult to know where to begin when an entrepreneur is researching how to start a new online company.

In this article, we will learn about How to set up a custom domain for BigCommerce store

What is a domain?

A domain name is the name of your website. The address at which Internet users can access your website is known as a domain name. A domain name can be any combination of letters and numbers, and it can have one or more domain name extensions, such as.com,.net, and others. There can’t be two websites with the same domain name, and the cost of a domain name is usually between $15 and $25 per year. A domain name is a necessary component of creating a website, but it is just one part of the puzzle.

Why need a custom domain for a BigCommerce store?

Domain names are essential on a basic level because the Internet’s addressing scheme would be ineffective without them. Every device on the internet has an IP address, which is a four-number string separated by intervals. Since remembering all of your favorite websites’ IP addresses would be virtually impossible, a group of computer scientists devised the domain name scheme to give each numeric IP address a distinct name. Domain names, on the other hand, are far more than just a technical shortcut. A short, memorable domain name may mean the difference between a good web presence and getting lost in cyberspace for your company.

• A domain name enhances your company’s reputation
• A domain name gives your online presence more versatility
• A good domain name will bring in walk-in customers
• A domain name helps to establish your brand

How to set up a custom domain for a BigCommerce store?

You have the option of buying a domain name directly from BigCommerce while you’re setting up your shop. This is the most convenient choice because it doesn’t need any additional setup and includes privacy security and a free SSL certificate.

However, if you want to buy or have already purchased a domain from a third-party registrar (GoDaddy, HostGator, and so on), the process is a little more complicated. Your domain must be pointed to BigCommerce’s nameservers. Below we use GoDaddy as an example.

Step 1: Log in to your account

Pick “Manage DNS” from the ellipsis icon next to the domain you want to link to BigCommerce.”

Step 2: Pick “Change” from the “Nameservers” section at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: Choose “Advanced” and then “Enter my own nameservers.”

Step 4: BigCommerce’ nameservers are as follows:

NS1.BIGCOMMERCE.COM NS2.BIGCOMMERCE.COM NS3.BIGCOMMERCE.COM

Enter BigCommerce’s nameservers and click “Save” (by default, only two fields are visible; click the “Add Nameserver” button to add the third BigCommerce nameserver).

Step 5: Go to your domain’ Nameservers section and look for BigCommerce’ nameservers.

We have a notice that donot expect the changes to take effect right away after you point your domain to BigCommerce’s nameservers. Your registrar server will send the changes to the nearest DNS servers, which will then send the changes to the DNS servers closest to them, and so on, until all DNS servers in the world have received the changes.

Propagation is the term for this operation, which normally takes a couple of hours but can take up to three days. The greater the distance between a visitor and your registrar server, the longer it will take for them to notice the changes.

You can check your propagation status using the “What’s My DNS?” function. If your propagation appears to be taking longer than three days, the problem could be on your end. To clear old results that have been cached on your operating system, perform a DNS flush. Try restarting your modem if that doesn’t work.

If a DNS flush and restarting your modem didn’t solve the problem, move to a different location and try again from a different internet source. If it still isn’t working, double-check that your BigCommerce DNS settings are right.

Some tips for choosing a perfect domain for a BigCommerce store

Use the right domain extensions

When it comes to domain name extensions, one thing is certain: “.com” is still the strongest. While many popular websites use the “.net” and “.org” extensions, your website would likely perform better if it uses the “.com” extension. It’s the most secure bet.

Brandable over generic

Generic is still preferable to creative and brandable. Visitors can search, recall, and share your business on the internet thanks to your domain name. It’s the cornerstone of the company’s identity.

Using domain name generators to come up with unique names. From your initial domain ideas and keywords, these tools will help you build a special, brandable domain name. (At the bottom of this page, we’ll list some of our favorite domain name generators.)

Shorter is better

In general, the shorter the better when it comes to domain length. Aim for 6 to 14 characters, and keep in mind that the shorter the better. Most certainly, the shorter domain names were already taken and sold for thousands of dollars a long time ago.

Make certain it is simple to type

Your website’s visitors should be able to type in your domain name without difficulty. It’s too hard to clarify the spelling more than once for it to be understood. The last thing you want is for potential visitors to type your domain incorrectly and end up on another site.

Make sure it is easy to say

Your domain name can roll off the tip of your tongue as easily as it does off the tips of your fingers. This makes it easier for users to spread the word about your domain name, as well as for you to share your site with friends and potential customers.

Avoid numbers and hyphens

Remember how important it is for your domain name to be simple to spell and pronounce? It’s made more complex by hyphens and numbers. Hyphens and numbers obstruct the smooth and punchy nature of your domain name. Observe the letters!

Consider the long-term rather than the short-term

It will cost you money, branding, and SEO rankings if you plan to change the domain in the future. In a nutshell, it’s a big pain! Consider the long term when selecting a domain. For example, if your company specializes in helping companies optimize their websites for SEO, a domain name like “OptimizedSEO.com” may be appropriate. If you think you can provide more general digital marketing services in the future, such as email marketing, PPC, and so on, it’s a good idea to rethink your domain name.

Make sure it is not either trademarked or in use

Check to see whether a domain name is available on social media platforms and whether any trademarks have already been registered for the name.

It’s best if you use the same name for your domain and social media accounts to create your brand. This establishes confidence and makes it simple for your guests, fans, and customers to find you online. Keep away from names that are already trademarked to avoid legal problems.

Conclusion

Your domain name is your one-of-a-kind online identity. Any person, company, or organization that wishes to have an online presence should purchase a domain name. You and your company would seem more professional if you have your domain name, website, and email addresses. Another justification for a company to register a domain name is to protect its copyrights and trademarks and establish credibility, raise brand recognition, and improve search engine placement.

We hope that this article about How to set up a custom domain for BigCommerce store will give you enough information you want!