Using your own domain with GiftSite is a great way to customize your online store and increase your brand recognition. It’s easy to connect your domain name to your store and start building a professional online presence. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using your own domain with GiftSite:
I don’t own a domain #
Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name
The first step in using your own domain with GiftSite is to purchase a domain name. You can purchase a domain name through a domain registrar like 123-Reg, Fasthosts, or names.co.uk. Your domain name should reflect your brand and be easy for customers to remember.
Step 2: Inform GiftSite that you would like to use a your own domain
Once you have bought a domain simply email support@giftsite.co.uk . When we receive your request we will make the necessary changes to your site’s configuration.
Step 3: Configure DNS Settings
You’ll need to configure the DNS settings to connect it to your GiftSite store. To do this, you’ll need to log in to your domain registrar’s website and locate the DNS settings. From there, you can add an A record that points to the GiftSite server’s IP address. This is 185.53.59.181.
Step 4: Verify Your Domain
After you’ve configured your DNS settings, you’ll need to verify that the changes you’ve made to your A record have “propagated”. To do this you can use a tool like MX Toolbox. Simply enter your domain in the field provided and click “DNS Lookup. Once propagated the IP address of your domain should be 185.53.59.181.
Step 5: Set Your Primary Domain
Once your domain has propagated, you can let the GiftSite support team know and we switch your domain over. This means that your domain name will appear in the address bar when customers visit your store.
I already have a website #
If you have an existing website you will probably want to run this alongside your GiftSite in the first instance. If you decide that you want to use the domain belonging to your existing website for your GiftSite, there are some things to consider.
- Once the domain is reassigned to your GiftSite, your existing website will no longer be accessible via that domain. It is therefore important that your product catalogue is transferred to your GiftSite and that it is in a position to “take over” from your old website.
- Changing a website’s domain will have an impact on its placement in search engine results pages (SERPs). GiftSite cannot guarantee that the volume of traffic to your GiftSite will continue at the same level once your domain has been transferred.
- Even when your domain is transferred, the structure of the page URLs on your old website will be different from the structure on GiftSite (see table 1 table below). Search engines will have stored or “indexed” your historic URLs. If search engines see that a page no longer exists on a URL they have in their index, that page will be dropped from the search results. In order to prevent this and mitigate a drop in “organic traffic”, your legacy URLs will need to be redirected to relevant pages on your GiftSite.
| Old domain (example) | New domain (example) |
| www.mydomain.com/products/cards/cat-card | www.mydomain.com/shop/cards/cat-card |
The process for retailers that have a website are similar with some key differences that will help to minimise downtime and guide traffic from your old website to your new one.
Step 1: Add all your products to GiftSite
In order to ensure that pages from your old site can be redirected to the equivalent pages on your GiftSite, these pages have to exist. Transferring your catalogue to GiftSite will generate new product pages which can be used as the target for these redirects. Find out how your products can be imported via CSV.
Step 2: Create a redirect list
In order to ensure that pages on your existing site redirect to the equivalent page on your GiftSite we need a list of your current URLs and their equivalent GiftSite URLs. If you have a sitemap of your existing site this can be used to generate a list. Google’s Search Console can also be used. We can provide a list of your GIftSite URLs, but your will need to map your old pages to these new ones. The list should look like this (table 2):
| Old URL (example) | New GiftSite URL (example) |
| /product/product1 | https://www.mydomain/shop/product1 |
| /product/product2 | https://www.mydomain/shop/product2 |
| /product/product3 | https://www.mydomain/shop/product3 |
Step 3: Inform GiftSite support that you would like to use your own domain
Once you are happy that your GiftSite contains all the products you want to transfer from your existing website and you have provided a redirect list, let us know that you’re ready to use your own domain. Email support@giftsite.co.uk and let us know that you are planning to point your current website’s domain at your GiftSite. When we receive your request we will make the necessary changes to ready your GiftSite for the switch. Do not update your domain DNS yet.
Step 4: Backup your website
When you point your domain at the GiftSite servers you will lose access to your old website on this domain. It is your responsibility to maintain records of transactions for tax purposes. We are not able to transfer order or customer data into the GiftSite platform, you will need to maintain your own records.
Step 5: Schedule your DNS update
Once the product catalogue, redirects and the server configuration are in place you can update your DNS. In your domain name registrar control panel you will add an A record that points to the GiftSite server’s IP address. This is 185.53.59.181. You should schedule this during office hours with GiftSite support.
Step 6: Finally, you’ll want to update any links to your store to reflect your new URLs. This includes links in your marketing materials, social media profiles, and email signatures.
Conclusion #
Using your own domain with GiftSite is a great way to create a professional online store. This could be your chance to rebrand and use a brand new domain on your GiftSite. Alternatively, if you’re planning to transfer a domain from an existing website you’ll want to maximise the chances of sustaining your existing traffic volumes. Following the steps for existing website owners will optimise your chances of success.
