All Sociavore websites come with their own default domain. It will look something like "yourrestaurantname.scvr.co". While this address does work and anyone with a link can access it, most businesses have their own custom domain (Ex. "yourrestaurantname.com") that they will switch to when they launch the new website.
Here's what to do:
- If you don't already have your own domain, take a look at this article.
- If you already have a domain, follow the next set of steps to connect it to your Sociavore site.
Step 1. Configure the domain in your Sociavore dashboard
This is where you can view your free Sociavore-hosted domain and also enter your custom domain.
- On the right hand side of the screen, click the website tab.
- Click the "Domain" tab.
- Follow the steps on the page to type in your custom domain.
- Hit SAVE
Once you've entered the domain in the Sociavore dashboard, you'll have to point your domain name to your new website.
Step 2. Point your domain to Sociavore
The Sociavore side of this process is complete! Now you will create two "A records" in your domain provider's admin panel: one for the "naked" domain (e.g. domain.com) and one for www (e.g. www.domain.com). Both point to Sociavore's IP address 35.192.183.203.
Your domain provider is the company where you bought or manage your domain. If you bought your domain through your previous website builder, add the records in that builder's domain settings.
Guides for popular domain providers
These guides show how to add an A record with each provider. Use them alongside the steps below.
- Cloudflare: Create DNS records
- GoDaddy: Add an A record
- Hover: Managing DNS records
- Name.com: Adding an A record
- Namecheap: How to set up an A record
- Network Solutions: Manage DNS records
- Porkbun: Pointing your domain to hosting with A records
- Rebel: How to add an A record
Add the A records
- Log in to your domain provider's admin panel.
- Open your DNS settings. This is sometimes called DNS Manager, DNS Control Page, Host Records, Advanced DNS editor, or similar.
- Create or edit the A record for your naked domain so that it points to Sociavore's IP address 35.192.183.203
In the Name/Host/Alias/Hostname field, enter the @ symbol or choose it from a dropdown (depends on how the provider has implemented it).
In the Value/Points to/Destination/Address/IP field, enter 35.192.183.203 - Create or edit the A record for 'www' so that it also points to Sociavore's IP address 35.192.183.203
In the Name/Host/Alias/Hostname field, enter www or choose it from a dropdown.
In the Value/Points to/Destination/Address/IP field, enter 35.192.183.203 - Click Save or Add Record to save your changes.
Before you save: check for old records
- Remove old A records for @ and www that point to your previous website. Each of them should have only one A record, pointing to 35.192.183.203.
- Remove any AAAA records for @ and www. They point to an IPv6 address and can send visitors to your old website.
- Replace a CNAME record for www with the A record above. The same name can't have both a CNAME record and an A record.
- Don't change your MX or TXT records. They control your email, and your email will keep working as before.
- Using Cloudflare? If your website doesn't load or still shows "Not secure" after connecting, contact us and mention that your domain uses Cloudflare.
DNS changes usually start working within a few hours, but can take up to 48 hours to reach everyone. During this time, some visitors may still see your old website.
Step 3. Add an SSL to your custom domain
Adding SSL makes your site secure. It protects your customers when they go to your website and submit any sensitive information such as address, phone number or credit card information. It changes the URL from "http" to "https".
SSL is usually added automatically once both A records are pointing to Sociavore. If your website still shows "Not secure" or doesn't open with https:// after your domain is connected, send us a message through chat in the bottom right corner of your screen or email us at support@sociavore.co with your domain name, and our team will add the SSL certificate for you. Learn more in Add SSL to Your Custom Domain.
And that's everything! Congratulations on launching your new site with Sociavore.