Setting up a Custom Domain with IndieMade

Connecting a custom domain to your IndieMade site lets customers visit your store at your own web address (like www.yourshop.com) instead of yourshop.indiemade.com. The setup includes a free SSL certificate so your site is secure from day one.

There are three steps to connect your domain:

  1. Add a CNAME record at your domain registrar that points www to your IndieMade URL (e.g., yourshop.indiemade.com).
  2. Set up a redirect so visitors who type your domain without “www” (like yourdomain.com) are automatically sent to www.yourdomain.com.
  3. Add your domain to your IndieMade account at account.indiemade.com.
What is a domain registrar? A domain registrar is the company where you purchased your domain name. Common registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace Domains, Cloudflare, Porkbun, IONOS, and Network Solutions. If you are not sure where your domain is registered, search for a WHOIS lookup and enter your domain name to find out.

Step 1: Add a CNAME Record

A CNAME record tells the internet to direct traffic for www.yourdomain.com to your IndieMade site. You create this record in the DNS settings at your domain registrar.

  • Type: CNAME
  • Host / Name: www
  • Value / Target: your IndieMade URL (e.g., yourshop.indiemade.com)
  • TTL: leave at the default
Important: Make sure there is no existing A record with the name www in your DNS settings. An A record for www will conflict with the CNAME and prevent it from working. Delete any www A record before adding the CNAME.
Why CNAME and not an IP address? Some domain registrars or setup guides may ask you to point your domain to an IP address using an A record. Do not do this for IndieMade. IndieMade uses CNAME records so we can move your site to the fastest, most optimized server at any time without any action on your part. An IP address locks your domain to a single server - if we need to migrate your site for better performance or reliability, a CNAME follows automatically while an IP address would break your site until you manually update it. Always use the CNAME method described above.

Step 2: Set Up a Redirect (Root Domain to www)

When someone types yourdomain.com (without www), they need to be redirected to www.yourdomain.com where the CNAME points. This is called a root-to-www redirect or domain forwarding.

The exact steps depend on your registrar, but the general idea is:

  • Forward from: yourdomain.com
  • Forward to: https://www.yourdomain.com
  • Redirect type: Permanent (301)

Most registrars have a “Forwarding” or “Redirect” option in their domain settings for this.

Step 3: Add Your Domain to IndieMade

  1. Go to account.indiemade.com and log in.
  2. Your login for account.indiemade.com may be different from your main IndieMade site login. If you cannot remember your password, use the password reset link on the login page.
  3. Add your custom domain in your account settings.
  4. IndieMade will automatically provision a free SSL certificate for your domain. This may take a few minutes.

Registrar-Specific Guides

We have step-by-step guides for the most popular domain registrars:

After Setup

DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate. During this time, your site may be accessible at some locations but not others. Once propagation is complete:

  • Your site will be available at www.yourdomain.com with a secure HTTPS connection.
  • Visitors who go to yourdomain.com (without www) will be automatically redirected.
  • Your IndieMade dashboard will continue to work at your original .indiemade.com address.

Troubleshooting

  • Site not loading on your domain? - Double-check that the CNAME record for www points to your exact IndieMade URL. Make sure there is no conflicting A record for www. Allow up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.
  • Works with www but not without? - Your root-to-www redirect is not set up or has not propagated yet. Check the forwarding settings at your registrar.
  • SSL certificate error? - The SSL certificate is provisioned automatically after you add the domain to your IndieMade account. If it has been more than an hour and you still see a certificate warning, contact support@indiemade.com.
  • Cannot log in to account.indiemade.com? - Your account.indiemade.com credentials may differ from your site login. Use the password reset link on the login page.