Custom Domains

Connecting a custom domain is a great way to give your IndieStand store a polished, professional identity. Instead of using the default yourstore.indiestand.com subdomain, you can point your own domain — like store.example.com — directly to your IndieStand storefront.

This guide explains:

• Requirements for using a custom domain
• Why IndieStand recommends using a subdomain
• How to connect and verify your domain
• How to configure DNS correctly
• What to expect during SSL provisioning
• Useful links for popular DNS providers

1. Requirements & Plan Availability

Custom domains are available on:

• Pro plan
• Business plan
• Custom / higher-tier plans

If you're on the Starter plan or the free 14-day trial, you can publish only under an IndieStand subdomain. You can upgrade at any time to unlock custom domains.

2. Subdomains Only (for Now)

At this time, IndieStand supports connecting subdomains such as:

• store.example.com
• shop.mydomain.com
• www.example.com

We recommend subdomains because:

• They're safer – you're not touching your root domain DNS, which might also be used for email or other services.
• SSL certificates tend to provision faster and more reliably.
• Apex/root domains (example.com) often require special record types (ALIAS, ANAME) that behave differently across providers.
• Many large platforms — like Reddit, GitHub Pages, Notion, and Webflow — follow the same "use www. or another subdomain" approach.

Redirecting Your Apex Domain

If you want your apex domain (example.com) to point to IndieStand, the recommended setup is:

1. Connect www.example.com to IndieStand.
2. Redirect example.com → www.example.com in your DNS provider's dashboard.

Helpful guides:

• Cloudflare: Redirect your apex domain with Cloudflare
• Namecheap: How to redirect a domain with Namecheap

3. Step 1 – Enter Your Subdomain in IndieStand

Go to:

App → Settings → Custom Domain

In the Domain field, enter the subdomain you want to use, for example:

store.example.com

Then click Connect Domain.

At this point, IndieStand creates a pending custom-domain configuration for your store.

4. Step 2 – SSL Provisioning & Initial Verification

After you click Connect Domain, IndieStand starts provisioning an SSL certificate and checking the status of your domain.

You'll see something like:

Verifying domain...

While the domain is in this Verifying state:

• IndieStand is preparing everything needed to serve your store securely over HTTPS.
• You can continue to use your store normally on the default IndieStand subdomain.

Next, you'll need to add DNS records with your domain provider so we can complete verification.

5. Step 3 – Add the Required DNS Records

IndieStand will show you the DNS records you need to add. These usually include:

✅ CNAME record

This points your chosen subdomain to IndieStand.

Typical example (your exact values may differ):

• Type: CNAME
• Host / Name: store.example.com
• Value / Target: example.indiestand.com

Copy the target exactly as shown in your dashboard.

✅ TXT verification record

We'll also show a TXT record that proves you control the domain.

Example:

• Type: TXT
• Name: something like _cf-custom-hostname.store.example.com
• Value: a unique token value we display in your dashboard

You'll see both records clearly listed under DNS Configuration Required.

Where to Add DNS Records

Add these DNS records where you manage your domain, such as:

• Cloudflare
• Namecheap
• GoDaddy
• Google Domains
• Or any other provider

Helpful DNS documentation:

• Cloudflare: Managing DNS records in Cloudflare
• Namecheap: DNS & Host Records (Namecheap)
• GoDaddy: How to add a CNAME record (GoDaddy)

Make sure you save changes in your DNS dashboard.

6. Step 4 – Wait for DNS Propagation & Re-Verify

DNS changes can take time to spread across the internet. Often it's just a few minutes, but in some cases it may take up to an hour.

While you wait:

• IndieStand automatically checks your domain at regular intervals.
• You'll see a countdown like "Checking again in 30s" in the UI.
• You can click Verify Now to trigger an immediate re-check if you've just updated DNS.

Once both the DNS configuration and SSL certificate are ready, the domain will switch to an Active state.

7. Step 5 – Domain Connected Successfully 🎉

When everything is correctly set up, you'll see a success message:

Domain connected successfully!

At this point:

• Your IndieStand store is served at your custom domain (for example store.example.com).
• Traffic is protected with HTTPS using an automatically managed certificate.
• You can share your new URL with customers, add it to your social bios, and use it in your marketing.

8. If Verification Fails or Takes Too Long

If something isn't configured correctly:

• IndieStand will continue to show the domain as Verifying or indicate there's a problem.
• The DNS Configuration Required section will highlight what still needs attention.
• Double-check that your CNAME and TXT records exactly match the values shown in IndieStand (no extra spaces, no missing dots).

If the domain sits unverified for an extended period (for example, DNS was never set up or was removed), our system may automatically clean up the pending configuration so you can start fresh later.

You can always remove the domain yourself and re-add it once you're ready.

9. Changing or Removing Your Custom Domain

You're free to change your custom domain at any time:

• Remove the existing domain
• Add a different subdomain
• Switch back to the default IndieStand subdomain

When you remove a domain:

• Your store remains accessible at yourstore.indiestand.com
• The custom domain will stop pointing to your store once DNS changes propagate
• If you add a new domain, you'll go through the same verification steps described above.

10. Best Practices & Tips

• Prefer subdomains (store.example.com, www.example.com) over apex domains — it's simpler and safer.
• Copy values exactly from IndieStand when adding CNAME/TXT records. Small typos can break verification.
• Be patient with DNS propagation — some providers are slower than others.
• Don't delete the TXT record early if one is required for verification.
• If using mail on the same domain, be extra careful not to overwrite existing MX or vital DNS records.

11. Need Help?

If you're stuck or unsure about any step:

• Your DNS provider's support can help confirm that your records are correct.
• You can reach the IndieStand team at support@indiestand.com and we'll gladly take a look.