How to add a custom subdomain
FreshStore allows you to create stores on our free vanity domains, custom domains, or custom subdomains.
Why use a custom subdomain?
A custom subdomain allows you to add a FreshStore to an existing website. For example, you can create a FreshStore on store.mydomain.com when you have a website already on www.mydomain.com.
You can also use a subdomain if you have other services, such as email, on your domain and don't want to change all the DNS records. You only need to add a CNAME record to your domain.
You can also use a CNAME record to point the subdomain www to your FreshStore. That way you can run a store on www.mydomain.com and still manage your domain DNS on your existing registrar.
Adding a CNAME value to your domain
To add your subdomain to FreshStore, you must add a CNAME record to the domain's DNS. This is done on your domain name registrar (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
Please refer to your domain name registrar for instructions on adding your CNAME record before you continue with this guide.
My host or registrar is asking for an IP address
There is no IP address for a FreshStore subdomain. Please use a CNAME record instead.
FreshStore reads that CNAME to verify your subdomain and to issue its SSL certificate. An A record will never finish the setup, even if you find an IP address that loads a store today, and those addresses change without notice.
If your DNS form only offers A records, ask your host or registrar for the CNAME option. Nearly every DNS provider has one.
Your CNAME value is different for every store. FreshStore shows you your own value at step 4 below.
Using Cloudflare? Add the CNAME record as DNS only (the grey cloud icon), not "Proxied" (the orange cloud). When the record is proxied, Cloudflare hides the CNAME behind its own network, so FreshStore cannot verify your subdomain and the SSL certificate cannot be issued.
How to add a subdomain
- From your account dashboard, go to Domains.
- On the Domains page, click on Add Domain or Add a Custom Domain (If no domains have been added yet).
- Choose the option Subdomain Only. Add your subdomain on the right side and click on "Add Your Domain".
- This will get processed and show you the CNAME record you need to add to your root domain's DNS records.
- Click on the "Refresh DNS" button to check the status of your DNS record. It should update within an hour, but sometimes it takes 24 to 48 hours.
Troubleshooting
I added an A record instead of a CNAME
Delete the A record and add the CNAME record shown in your account. A subdomain cannot hold both, so leaving the A record in place will also stop the CNAME from working.
"Domain Already Exists" error
If you see a "Domain Already Exists" error when trying to add a subdomain, this usually means the root domain or another subdomain on the same domain is already registered in the system. Please contact support with the exact subdomain you are trying to add and the error message, and we can resolve this quickly.
My nameservers already point to FreshStore
If your domain's nameservers are already pointing to FreshStore (because you added the root domain as a full domain), you do not need to add a CNAME record separately. Your DNS is already managed by FreshStore. Please contact support and we can add the subdomain for you directly.
My CNAME is on Cloudflare and shows "Invalid CNAME"
Open the DNS page in your Cloudflare dashboard and check the Proxy status of the CNAME record. It must be DNS only (grey cloud). Click the orange cloud icon to switch the proxy off, wait a few minutes, then click "Refresh DNS" in your FreshStore account.
Subdomain not working after adding CNAME
- Make sure the CNAME record matches exactly what FreshStore shows you
- DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate
- Check that you do not have conflicting DNS records (e.g. an A record for the same subdomain)
- Clear your local browser cache and try again
If you are still having trouble, please contact support with your subdomain and we will help.