Premium Feature | Available to US-Based Platinum & Diamond Plan Sellers
Manual Setup for Popular Domain Providers
This guide shows where to find DNS settings at popular domain providers and what Big Cartel records to add.
Provider dashboards change often, so use this as a guide alongside your provider’s official DNS documentation.
Big Cartel’s required DNS records
For a standard custom domain, add or update these settings at your domain provider.
www CNAME
Field | Value |
|---|---|
Type | CNAME |
Host / Name / Alias | www |
Points to / Value / Target | yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Replace yourshop.bigcartel.com with your actual Big Cartel shop URL.
Root domain redirect
Redirect:
yourdomain.com
to:
<https://www.yourdomain.com>
Use a 301 permanent redirect without masking.
GoDaddy
Overview
GoDaddy keeps DNS records and domain forwarding in the domain’s DNS area. You’ll usually add the www CNAME first, then set domain forwarding for the root domain.
Where to find DNS settings
In GoDaddy, open your domain, then go to DNS or Manage DNS.
Provider-specific notes
- Use the CNAME record for www.
- Use domain forwarding for the root domain.
- Choose a permanent 301 redirect if GoDaddy asks for the forwarding type.
- Don’t use masking.
Official DNS documentation
Big Cartel records
Purpose | GoDaddy setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Forward yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com as 301, no masking |
Squarespace Domains
Overview
Many Google Domains accounts moved to Squarespace Domains, so you may sign in with Google but manage the domain in Squarespace. If your domain still has Squarespace website records, remove or replace records that conflict with the Big Cartel setup.
Where to find DNS settings
Open your Squarespace domain, then look for DNS Settings or Domain Forwarding Rules.
Provider-specific notes
- Use custom DNS records for the www CNAME.
- Use domain forwarding rules to send the root domain to www.
- If the domain was previously connected to a Squarespace site, remove default or old records that keep pointing there.
Official DNS documentation
- Squarespace: Pointing a Squarespace domain
- Squarespace: Forwarding a domain
- Squarespace: DNS records for connecting third-party domains
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Squarespace Domains setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add forwarding rule: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com as 301, no masking |
Namecheap
Overview
Namecheap uses Advanced DNS for host records. The root redirect is usually added as a URL Redirect Record.
Where to find DNS settings
In Namecheap, go to Domain List, choose your domain, select Manage, then open Advanced DNS.
Provider-specific notes
- Use a CNAME Record for www.
- Use a URL Redirect Record for the root domain.
- Choose Unmasked redirect if Namecheap offers masked vs. unmasked options.
- Remove conflicting host records for the same host before adding new ones.
Official DNS documentation
- Namecheap: How to create a CNAME record
- Namecheap: How to set up a URL redirect
- Namecheap: Which record type should I choose?
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Namecheap setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME Record: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add URL Redirect Record: @ → https://www.yourdomain.com, unmasked, 301/permanent if available |
Cloudflare
Overview
Cloudflare can manage DNS and redirects, but it adds one important layer: proxying. If your domain uses Cloudflare nameservers, DNS changes must be made in Cloudflare, even if you bought the domain somewhere else.
Where to find DNS settings
In Cloudflare, select your domain, then open DNS for records and Rules for redirects.
Provider-specific notes
- Add the www CNAME in Cloudflare DNS.
- If Big Cartel or support recommends DNS-only for the CNAME, use DNS only instead of proxied.
- Root-domain redirects in Cloudflare are usually handled with Redirect Rules or Page Rules.
- Cloudflare redirect rules only work when Cloudflare can see the web request, so follow Cloudflare’s redirect documentation carefully.
- If your domain is registered somewhere else but uses Cloudflare nameservers, edit DNS in Cloudflare.
Official DNS documentation
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Cloudflare setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Create a redirect rule/page rule: yourdomain.com/* → https://www.yourdomain.com/$1 as 301 |
Porkbun
Overview
Porkbun manages DNS records and URL forwarding from the domain management screen. Porkbun may use slightly different wording from other providers, so pay attention to host fields and forwarding settings.
Where to find DNS settings
In Porkbun, open your domain from Domain Management, then look for DNS Records and URL Forwarding.
Provider-specific notes
- Use a CNAME record for www.
- Use URL Forwarding for the root domain.
- Porkbun may use a blank host field for the root domain in some DNS settings.
- Remove default parking or conflicting records before adding Big Cartel records.
Official DNS documentation
- Porkbun: How to set up URL forwarding
- Porkbun: Connect your root domain when your host won’t provide an IP address
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Porkbun setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add URL forwarding: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com as 301/permanent if available, no masking |
Hover
Overview
Hover separates DNS records from domain forwarding. You’ll add the CNAME under DNS and use forwarding for the root domain.
Where to find DNS settings
In Hover, open your domain, then use the DNS tab for records and the Forwards tab for domain forwarding.
Provider-specific notes
- Hover does not support CNAME records on the root domain, so use the CNAME for www only.
- Use Hover forwarding to send the root domain to the www version.
- Hover forwarding may use temporary redirect behavior in some setups; if you need a permanent 301 redirect, check Hover’s current options or contact Hover support.
- Forwarding may require Hover nameservers.
Official DNS documentation
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Hover setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add domain forward: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com, no masking |
IONOS
Overview
IONOS manages domain records in Domains & SSL. Some IONOS flows include extra domain or SSL verification prompts, so follow any verification emails or status messages from IONOS.
Where to find DNS settings
In IONOS, go to Domains & SSL, choose your domain, then open DNS or destination settings.
Provider-specific notes
- Use a CNAME record for the www subdomain.
- Use domain forwarding to send the root domain to www.
- Avoid frame redirects or masking.
- If IONOS shows the domain as locked, pending, or waiting on verification, complete that step before troubleshooting Big Cartel.
Official DNS documentation
- IONOS: Configuring a CNAME record for a subdomain
- IONOS: Forwarding a domain to a different domain
- IONOS: DNS settings
Big Cartel records
Purpose | IONOS setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME for subdomain www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Set domain forwarding: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com, no frame redirect/masking |
Hostinger
Overview
Hostinger DNS records are managed in hPanel. Hostinger also offers redirect settings, but HTTPS behavior can vary by setup.
Where to find DNS settings
In Hostinger, open Domains, choose your domain, then go to DNS / Nameservers or the DNS Zone Editor.
Provider-specific notes
- Use a CNAME record for www.
- Use Hostinger’s redirect tool or domain forwarding for the root domain.
- Remove conflicting records for the same host before saving new ones.
- If Hostinger CDN or hosting records are active, they may conflict with the Big Cartel setup.
Official DNS documentation
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Hostinger setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add redirect/domain forwarding: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com as 301/permanent if available, no masking |
Bluehost
Overview
Bluehost DNS may be managed in the Bluehost portal or cPanel, depending on the account. Redirect options may also depend on whether the domain has hosting attached.
Where to find DNS settings
Look for Domains, Zone Editor, DNS, or cPanel > Zone Editor.
Provider-specific notes
- Use the Zone Editor to add or edit the www CNAME.
- If Bluehost has hosting records or a WordPress site attached, remove records that keep the domain pointing to Bluehost hosting.
- Use Bluehost redirects or hosting-level redirects for the root domain when available.
- If the account does not offer the redirect you need, contact Bluehost support or use another DNS/redirect service.
Official DNS documentation
- Bluehost: How to manage DNS records in cPanel
- Bluehost: How to add a CNAME record
- Bluehost: Domain pointing guide
Big Cartel records
Purpose | Bluehost setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add 301 redirect: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com, no masking, if available |
DreamHost
Overview
DreamHost DNS and redirects are managed in the DreamHost panel. If the domain currently has DreamHost hosting attached, remove conflicting hosting records before adding Big Cartel records.
Where to find DNS settings
In DreamHost, open your domain’s settings or Manage Websites, then look for DNS Settings. Redirects are managed separately in the panel.
Provider-specific notes
- Add a CNAME record for www.
- Use DreamHost’s redirect feature for the root domain.
- DreamHost may require removing existing custom records before enabling a redirect.
- If the domain is set to DNS Only, check for conflicting records before adding forwarding.
Official DNS documentation
Big Cartel records
Purpose | DreamHost setting |
|---|---|
Point www to Big Cartel | Add CNAME: www → yourshop.bigcartel.com |
Send root domain to www | Add redirect: yourdomain.com → https://www.yourdomain.com as 301/permanent, no masking |
Don’t see your provider?
Search your provider’s Help Center for:
- “DNS settings”
- “DNS management”
- “Add CNAME record”
- “URL forwarding”
- “Domain forwarding”
- “301 redirect”
Then use the Big Cartel records listed at the top of this guide.
If you’re not sure where your DNS is managed, check your domain’s nameservers. Your nameservers usually point to the company where DNS changes need to be made.