Custom Domain
Connect your own domain name to your marketplace for a professional, branded experience. This guide covers everything from purchasing a domain to configuring DNS records.
Why Use a Custom Domain?
A custom domain provides several key benefits for your marketplace:
Brand Trust
Customers trust professional domains over subdomains. A branded domain increases credibility and conversion rates.
SEO Benefits
Custom domains rank better in search engines and allow you to build domain authority over time.
Professional Email
Use your domain for business emails (support@yourmarket.com) instead of generic providers.
Full Control
You own the domain, giving you control over your marketplace's identity regardless of platform.
Domain Options
Default Prometora URL (Free)
Every marketplace gets a free branded URL on Prometora. This works immediately with no setup required:
prometora.com/s/your-storeGood for: Testing, development, or budget-conscious launches. You can use this URL as long as you want.
Custom Domain (Recommended)
Use your own domain for a fully branded, professional experience:
yourmarketplace.comwww.yourmarketplace.comshop.yourbrand.comGood for: Production marketplaces, established brands, serious businesses
Prerequisites
Before setting up a custom domain, you'll need:
Purchase from any registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains, etc.)
You'll need to add DNS records at your registrar
Create your marketplace first before connecting a domain
Where to Buy a Domain
If you don't have a domain yet, here are popular registrars:
| Registrar | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare Registrar | ~$9/year (.com) | At-cost pricing, excellent DNS |
| Namecheap | ~$10/year (.com) | Free WHOIS privacy, good UI |
| Google Domains | ~$12/year (.com) | Simple interface, Google integration |
| GoDaddy | ~$12/year (.com) | Large selection, 24/7 support |
| Porkbun | ~$9/year (.com) | Affordable, free WHOIS privacy |
💡 Domain Naming Tips
- • Keep it short and memorable
- • Avoid hyphens and numbers if possible
- • Check social media availability for your brand name
- • Consider .com, .shop, .store, or .market extensions
- • Avoid trademarked names
Understanding DNS Records
DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names to IP addresses. Here are the record types you'll use:
A Record (Address Record)
Points your domain directly to an IP address. Used for root domains (e.g., yourmarket.com without www).
CNAME Record (Canonical Name)
Points one domain to another domain. Used for subdomains like www or shop.
AAAA Record (IPv6 Address)
Like an A record but for IPv6 addresses. Optional but recommended for modern compatibility.
Step-by-Step Setup
Step 1: Add Your Domain in Prometora
Go to Store Settings → Custom Domain
Enter your domain name (e.g., yourmarketplace.com or www.yourmarketplace.com)
Click Add Domain to get your DNS configuration details
Step 2: Configure DNS Records
Add these DNS records at your domain registrar. The exact steps vary by registrar (see instructions below).
⚠️ Important
If you have existing DNS records for your domain (especially A or CNAME records for @ or www), you may need to delete them before adding the new records.
Required DNS Records
| Type | Name/Host | Value/Target | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 76.76.21.21 | Auto or 3600 |
| CNAME | www | cname.vercel-dns.com | Auto or 3600 |
The @ symbol represents your root domain (yourmarket.com). The www creates the www subdomain.
Registrar-Specific Instructions
GoDaddyClick to expand
1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
2. Go to My Products → find your domain → DNS
3. In the Records section, click Add
4. Add the A record: Type = A, Name = @, Value = 76.76.21.21
5. Add the CNAME record: Type = CNAME, Name = www, Value = cname.vercel-dns.com
6. Click Save for each record
NamecheapClick to expand
1. Log in to Namecheap and go to Domain List
2. Click Manage next to your domain
3. Go to the Advanced DNS tab
4. Delete any existing A/CNAME records for @ or www (if present)
5. Click Add New Record
6. Add A Record: Type = A Record, Host = @, Value = 76.76.21.21
7. Add CNAME: Type = CNAME Record, Host = www, Value = cname.vercel-dns.com
8. Save all changes
CloudflareClick to expand
1. Log in to Cloudflare and select your domain
2. Go to DNS → Records
3. Click Add record
4. Add A Record: Type = A, Name = @, IPv4 = 76.76.21.21, Proxy status = DNS only (gray cloud)
5. Add CNAME: Type = CNAME, Name = www, Target = cname.vercel-dns.com, Proxy status = DNS only
⚠️ Important: Turn OFF the orange cloud (proxy) for these records. Use "DNS only" mode.
Google Domains / SquarespaceClick to expand
1. Go to domains.google.com (or Squarespace Domains)
2. Select your domain and go to DNS
3. Scroll to Custom records
4. Add A Record: Host name = (leave blank), Type = A, Data = 76.76.21.21
5. Add CNAME: Host name = www, Type = CNAME, Data = cname.vercel-dns.com
6. Click Save
PorkbunClick to expand
1. Log in to Porkbun and go to your domain
2. Click the DNS dropdown arrow
3. Delete default records if present
4. Add A Record: Type = A, Host = (blank for root), Answer = 76.76.21.21
5. Add CNAME: Type = CNAME, Host = www, Answer = cname.vercel-dns.com
6. Save each record
Advanced: Cloudflare Workers Setup
For more control over your domain routing, you can use Cloudflare Workers instead of simple DNS records. This approach offers additional benefits like edge caching and custom routing logic.
Why Use Cloudflare Workers?
- • Free SSL: Automatic SSL certificates via Cloudflare
- • Global CDN: Content delivered from 300+ edge locations
- • DDoS Protection: Enterprise-grade protection included free
- • Apex Redirects: Easy www to non-www (or vice versa) redirects
- • Analytics: Free traffic analytics and insights
Cloudflare Workers Overview
The Cloudflare Workers approach involves:
Transfer DNS to Cloudflare - Move your domain's nameservers to Cloudflare (one-time setup)
Create a Cloudflare Worker - A serverless function that routes traffic to your marketplace
Configure routing code - Add the Worker code that proxies requests to Prometora
Add custom domain to Worker - Connect your domain, which auto-creates DNS routing
Verify in Prometora - Complete verification in your Store Settings
Complete Cloudflare Workers Guide
For detailed step-by-step instructions including the Worker code, environment variables, and apex domain redirect setup, see our comprehensive guide:
How to Connect a Custom Domain with Cloudflare Workers⚠️ Important for Email Users
If you use email with your domain (like info@yourdomain.com), make sure your MX records are preserved when transferring to Cloudflare. Set mail-related A records to "DNS only" (grey cloud), not Proxied (orange cloud).
Step 3: Verify Your Domain
After adding DNS records, return to Prometora and click Verify Domain.
DNS Propagation Time
DNS changes can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 48 hours to propagate worldwide. Most changes complete within 1-2 hours. During this time, verification may fail - this is normal.
Domain Status
Your domain will show one of these statuses:
SSL Certificate
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your visitors and your marketplace, showing the padlock icon in browsers.
Automatic SSL
SSL certificates are automatically provisioned and renewed for all custom domains. You don't need to purchase or configure SSL separately.
Auto-Renewal
Certificates are renewed automatically before expiration. No action needed from you.
HTTPS Enforced
All traffic is automatically redirected to HTTPS. HTTP requests redirect to the secure version.
WWW vs Non-WWW
You can use either www.yourmarket.com or yourmarket.com as your primary domain:
Root Domain (yourmarket.com)
- • Shorter, cleaner URL
- • Modern convention for most websites
- • Requires an A record (some hosts have limitations)
WWW Subdomain (www.yourmarket.com)
- • Traditional format, familiar to users
- • Uses CNAME record (more flexible)
- • Better for cookie handling in some cases
Recommendation: Set up both! Our DNS configuration handles this - visitors can access your site with or without www, and they'll be redirected to your preferred version.
Using a Subdomain
If you already have a website and want your marketplace on a subdomain (e.g., shop.yourcompany.com):
| Type | Name/Host | Value/Target |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | shop | cname.vercel-dns.com |
Replace shop with your desired subdomain name (store, marketplace, buy, etc.).
Email Configuration
Connecting a custom domain does NOT affect your email. If you have email on your domain (e.g., through Google Workspace, Microsoft 365), it will continue working.
✅ Safe to Keep
MX records (email), TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and other DNS records are not affected by our A and CNAME records. Only modify the specific records listed above.
Troubleshooting
"Domain not verified" after adding records
- • Wait longer - DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours
- • Double-check the record values (no typos)
- • Ensure you deleted conflicting A/CNAME records
- • Try verifying again in 30 minutes
"SSL certificate error" or "Not secure" warning
- • SSL provisioning takes 5-10 minutes after DNS verification
- • If using Cloudflare, ensure proxy is OFF (gray cloud)
- • Clear your browser cache and try again
"This site can't be reached"
- • DNS records may not have propagated yet
- • Try accessing from a different device or network
- • Use a DNS checker tool to verify your records are live
"Redirect loop" or infinite loading
- • If using Cloudflare, set SSL/TLS mode to "Full" or "Full (strict)"
- • Disable any redirect rules at your registrar
- • Check for conflicting proxy settings
Email stopped working after domain setup
- • You may have accidentally deleted MX records
- • Only modify A and CNAME records for @ and www
- • Contact your email provider to get MX records to re-add
DNS Checker Tools
Use these free tools to verify your DNS records are correct:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple domains for one marketplace?
Yes! You can add multiple domains or subdomains. One will be primary (used for canonical URLs), and others will redirect to it. This is useful for typo domains or regional variations.
How do I transfer my domain to a different registrar?
Domain transfers don't affect your Prometora setup. After transfer, just make sure the same DNS records are configured at your new registrar. There may be brief downtime during transfer.
What happens if my domain expires?
Your marketplace will become inaccessible at that domain. Set up auto-renewal at your registrar to prevent this. Most registrars offer a grace period to renew expired domains.
Can I change my domain later?
Yes, you can add a new domain and remove the old one anytime. Consider SEO impact - set up redirects from the old domain if it had traffic and search rankings.
Do I need to buy SSL separately?
No! SSL certificates are included free and automatically managed. All custom domains get HTTPS enabled automatically.
💡 Need More Help?
If you're having trouble setting up your domain, check out our detailed Cloudflare Workers guide or contact support with your domain name and registrar, and we'll help you get connected.