Manage a Domain in Website Builder
Description: Learn how to register, connect, check the status of, and disconnect a custom domain in Website Builder.
Availability: United States, Canada, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom
Register a Domain in Website Builder
Register a domain through Website Builder if you do not already have one and want Shift4 to register it on your behalf. There is no fee to register a domain through Shift4.
- Log in to your Website Manager.
- Go to Settings.
- In the Register a Domain section, select Register Domain.
- Enter the domain you want Shift4 to register.
- Select Search.
Note: Shift4 can register only .com domains.
- If the domain is available, select Get Domain to have Shift4 register it. If the domain is unavailable, select one of the suggested available domains or search for another domain.
- After you select an available domain, a confirmation message appears when Shift4 has registered the domain and associated SSL certificate.
No additional action is required after Shift4 registers the domain. The domain must propagate before the new web address is available to all users.
Note: Domain propagation times vary and can take up to 48 hours.
Connect an Existing Domain in Website Builder
Connect an existing domain to Website Builder if you already own a domain or purchase one from a third-party provider.
- Log in to Website Manager.
- Go to Settings.
- In the Connect a Domain section, select Connect Domain.
- Follow the instructions provided to point your domain to your website by updating the relevant DNS records with your DNS provider.
Important: Shift4 does not manage your DNS records, and Shift4 Support does not have access to your DNS provider. If you do not know who manages your DNS, contact your hosting provider for more information. - Select the DNS checkbox to confirm that you understand the DNS requirements.
- Enter the root domain you own and want to use with Website Builder.
- Select Let's Go.
A confirmation message appears when the domain has been confirmed.
Note: Website Builder currently supports only root domains. For example, myrestaurant.com is supported, but orders.myrestaurant.com is not.
Connecting your domain this way allows it to resolve to your Website Builder website without disrupting other services associated with the domain, such as email or other subdomains.
Important: Website Builder does not currently support connecting your domain to the website using CNAME or other methods. The source recommends creating a CNAME for www that points back to the domain itself.
Check Domain Status in Website Builder
After you register or connect a domain in Website Builder, check its status from the Connected Domains section in Website Manager.
- Log in to Website Manager.
- Select Settings from the left navigation menu.
- Locate the Connected Domains section.
The Connected Domains section displays the automatically generated s4shops.com subdomain for your website and any domain you registered or connected. The URLs column displays each domain, and its current status appears to the right.
What Does a Pending Domain Status Mean?
A Pending status means the domain has not fully propagated.
To manually verify a Pending domain:
- Select the action wheel for the domain.
- Select Verify Domain.
Note: Website Builder can take up to 24 hours to validate the domain after you manually verify it.
What Does an Active Domain Status Mean?
An Active status means the domain is fully connected to your Website Builder website and visible to users.
Disconnect a Domain in Website Builder
Disconnect a custom domain from Website Builder when you no longer want it connected to your website.
- Go to Settings.
- Select the gear icon for the domain.
- Select Disconnect.
