> 🤔Already had your Google domain setup taken care of, but suddenly it's not working? You most likely need to either complete your Google domains account setup, or verify your email-- Google domains will disable the domain setup to prompt you to log in, and take care of that. So[ log into your Google domains account](https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100829212-14052099?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdomains.google%2F), and you should see a prompt letting you know what you need to do to get your domain back on track.

> Buying a new custom domain? [Use these steps &raquo;](#buying-a-new-custom-domain)

> Using a custom domain like **`www.example.com`**? [Use these steps &raquo;](#use-www)

> Using a custom domain like **shop.example.com**? [Use these steps &raquo;](#use-another-subdomain)

## Buying a new custom domain

1. Head to **[Account](https://my.bigcartel.com/account)** in your Big Cartel admin.
2. Click **Edit your shop info** > **[Add a custom domain](https://my.bigcartel.com/account/your-store/domain)**.
3. Click the **Buy domain** button.
4. A list of available custom domains will be suggested based on your Big Cartel store URL. Choose an available domain from the list or use the search field to track down the right one and click **Buy**.
5. Fill out the required forms to register the domain.
6. That's it! You'll be redirected back to your Big Cartel admin. Within just a few minutes your store should be showing up at your newly registered domain. Don't forget to check your email for a verification link from Google Domains as well to complete the process.

> Keep in mind that your domain is registered and configured through [Google Domains](https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100829212-14052099?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdomains.google%2F), which is a separate service from Big Cartel, and you'll want to first check that Google domains is [available in your country](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/4639612?hl=en "Google Domains supported countries"). You'll also need to make sure you [renew your domain registration annually](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6093180?hl=en), or set it to auto-renew for maximum convenience.

## Use www

To get your Google domain up and running with your Big Cartel store, you’ll forward the non-www version of your custom domain to the www version using a **301 redirect**, then create a **CNAME record** to point to your shop.

> **Heads up!** If you [bought your domain through Big Cartel](#buying-a-new-custom-domain) you don't need to follow these steps, they're already done! 

**To get started,** [log in to your Google account](https://domains.google.com) and click **Manage** next to the custom domain you want to set up.

**Set up the 301 redirect:**

1. Click **Website** in the left column menu.
2. Click **Forward domain** under **Website configuration options**.
3. Click the option to edit next to **Forward from**. ![Edit forwarding](//images.ctfassets.net/3g7s03pwyjhz/1FfHwk1o6Ehx9y72sse2fu/6bff1268f5e1eeb1783869463c0a41c4/Edit_forwarding.png)
4. Leave first field alone, and click the trash can icon next to the **www** option to delete it. ![Forward from](//images.ctfassets.net/3g7s03pwyjhz/q8P2l9SEBBNzPfjnNDBFi/3d9fabcf8f5264cdd0d01757b64355a6/Forward_from.png)
5. In the **Forward to** field, enter your full custom domain with the www in front, then click **Advanced options** to open the menu. ![Advanced options](//images.ctfassets.net/3g7s03pwyjhz/5MdcRhM6PMhHRUgFDpjGuC/15e88dbb31297ed8b2cc5c87377caa20/Advanced_options.png)
6. Click the circle next to **Permanent redirect (301)** — leave **Do not forward** and **SSL Off** selected, then click **Forward**. ![Add forward](//images.ctfassets.net/3g7s03pwyjhz/34KdxjvCHHfSWwlivuwq9P/59a2d923c1e1c04f4e28794125ee694f/Add_forward.png) 

**Set up your CNAME record:**

1. Click **DNS** in the left column menu.
2. In the **Custom records** section type www in the **Host name** field, select CNAME from the **Type** dropdown, leave the TTL as is, and enter your shop's full bigcartel.com URL in the **Data** field--do not add http or https in front of your bigcartel.com URL. Click **Save**. ![CNAME](//images.ctfassets.net/3g7s03pwyjhz/2tGwGxi2y9k03LOhBFe6m6/6f0e8ac24d01782f2a80b3c12166d065/CNAME.png) 
3. Finally, you'll head to **Account > Edit your shop info > Add a custom domain** in your Big Cartel admin. Click **[Add domain](https://my.bigcartel.com/account/your-store/domain/edit)**. 
4. Enter your full custom domain with the www in front into the **Custom domain** field and click **Save**.

**That's it! Now we wait.** It can take up to 24-48 hours for domain changes to update.

Google also provides some more instructions on creating [CNAME records](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6147083?hl=en) and [301 redirects](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6072198?hl=en) if you’re having trouble locating where to make those changes. If it's still not working after that, you should [contact Google](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6058244?hl=en) to help you figure out why.

>Make sure you don't enable any **masking** on your 301 redirect. Masked redirects will end up preventing your store from working properly for people that access the shop through your custom domain.

## Use another subdomain

If you’re planning on using your custom domain to display content other than just your Big Cartel store, you’ll want to create a CNAME record on a subdomain that’s not www - like shop.example.com or store.example.com.

**To get started,** [log in to your Google account](https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100829212-14052099?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdomains.google.com%2Fregistrar) and click **Manage** next to the custom domain you want to set up.

**Set up your CNAME record:**

1. Click **DNS** in the left column menu.
2. In the **Custom records** section type the subdomain (store, shop, etc.) in the **Host name** field, select CNAME from the **Type** dropdown, leave the TTL as is, and enter your shop's full bigcartel.com URL in the **Data** field--do not add http or https in front of your bigcartel.com URL. Click **Save**.
3. Finally, you'll head to **Account > Edit your shop info > Add a custom domain** in your Big Cartel admin. Click **[Add domain](https://my.bigcartel.com/account/your-store/domain/edit)**. 
4. In the **Custom domain** field enter your subdomain (store.example.com, shop.example.com, etc.), and click **Save**.

**That's it! Now we wait.** It can take up to 24-48 hours for domain changes to update.

Google also provides some more instructions on creating [CNAME records](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6147083?hl=en) if it's still not working after that, you should [contact Google](https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6058244?hl=en) to help you figure out why.

Google Domains

Have questions?