How to Connect a Custom Domain

Replace your default YouCan domain with your own custom domain. Customers can access your store using a professional web address like yourbusiness.com.

What You Need

A custom domain registered with a domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger, etc.)
Access to your domain registrar's nameserver settings
The YouCan nameservers (provided below)

YouCan Nameservers

When connecting your domain, you'll point your domain to these nameservers:

ns1.youcan.shop
ns2.youcan.shop

Save these for the next steps.

Step 1: Go to Your Domains Page

Go to the Seller Area at seller-area.youcan.shop/admin
Navigate to Store > Domains
Click the Connect existing domain tab

Step 2: Add Your Domain

On the Connect existing domain page, enter your domain name
Example: yourbusiness.com (without www or https://)
Click Add domain or similar button
YouCan will begin the connection process

Step 3: Update Your Nameservers

This is the critical step. You must update your domain registrar's nameserver settings:

Log in to your domain registrar's account (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger, etc.)
Find the DNS or Nameserver settings for your domain
Remove any existing nameservers
Add YouCan's nameservers:
- ns1.youcan.shop
- ns2.youcan.shop
Save your changes

Registrar-Specific Examples

GoDaddy:

Go to your domain settings
Find "Nameservers"
Click "Manage Nameservers"
Select "I'll use my own nameservers"
Enter the YouCan nameservers

Namecheap:

Go to your Domain List
Click "Manage" next to your domain
Go to "Nameservers" tab
Select "Custom Nameservers"
Enter the YouCan nameservers

Hostinger:
See Hostinger's nameserver documentation for detailed instructions.

For other registrars, search for "change nameservers" in your registrar's help documentation.

Step 4: Return to YouCan and Verify

Return to YouCan's Domains page
Look for your domain in the connection status
The status may show "Pending" while DNS propagates
Continue to Step 5 while waiting

Step 5: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, but often complete within 2-6 hours.

During this time:

Your domain status may show "Pending"
Your store remains accessible via your default YouCan URL
Your domain may not yet direct to YouCan

You can check DNS propagation status online using free tools, but YouCan will verify automatically.

Step 6: SSL Setup

Once your domain is connected, YouCan automatically:

Provisions an SSL certificate for your domain
Enables HTTPS for secure browsing
Redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS
No action is required from you

Your Domain Is Connected

Once DNS propagation completes:

Customers can visit your store using your custom domain
Your store URL appears professional: yourbusiness.com
SSL encrypts all customer data
Your default YouCan URL still works as a backup

Verify Your Domain Works

After propagation completes:

Try visiting your custom domain in a web browser
You should see your store
Check for the HTTPS lock icon in the address bar
Test placing a test order to ensure everything functions

Common Issues

Domain shows "Pending" after 48 hours:

Verify your nameservers were updated correctly in your registrar's dashboard
Check that you entered the exact nameservers: ns1.youcan.shop and ns2.youcan.shop
Some registrars take longer; wait up to 72 hours

SSL certificate not working:

Ensure your domain is fully connected first (no longer showing "Pending")
SSL certificate may take additional time after domain connection
Contact support if SSL issues persist

Can't update nameservers at registrar:

Check that you have admin access to the registrar account
Try in a different browser or clear your cache
Contact your registrar's support for help

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