Quick Answer
To connect a custom domain to your online store: buy the domain, add the DNS record your platform gives you (a CNAME for www and an A/ALIAS for the root), then verify it in your dashboard — SSL provisions automatically. A .in/.com domain costs about ₹500–₹900/year, and a custom domain builds trust, looks professional in ads, and ranks better than a free subdomain. On HOD Media it's a copy-paste record and one “Check now” click.
Why a custom domain is worth ₹700 a year
- Trust. yourbrand.in converts better than yourstore.someplatform.in — especially in ads and on WhatsApp.
- SEO. Your own domain accumulates authority over time; a shared subdomain doesn't.
- Brand. It's yours — you can move platforms later without losing your address or your rankings.
Step 1 — Buy your domain
Pick a short, brandable .in or .com (avoid hyphens and numbers). Buy it from any registrar — GoDaddy, Namecheap, BigRock or Hostinger. Cost is ~₹500–₹900/year. That's the only fixed cost; you don't need separate hosting if you use a hosted store platform.
Step 2 — Get the DNS record from your store
In your store dashboard, add your domain and it will show you the exact record(s) to create — typically a CNAME for www and an A record (or ALIAS) for the root domain. On HOD Media: Settings → Domains, type your domain, and copy the record shown.
Step 3 — Add the record at your registrar
- Log in to your domain registrar and open DNS settings for your domain.
- Add the CNAME / A record exactly as shown (name, type, value).
- Save. If a conflicting record already exists for that name, edit it instead of adding a duplicate.
Step 4 — Verify & go live
Back in your store, click Verify / Check now. Once DNS is detected, SSL provisions automatically and your store serves on https://yourbrand.in. DNS usually propagates in minutes; allow a few hours to be safe.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Adding the record with the wrong name/host (use exactly what the platform shows — often
@for root,wwwfor the subdomain). - Leaving an old conflicting A/CNAME record in place.
- Forgetting to point both the root and the www version.
- Expecting it to be instant — give DNS a little time before assuming it failed.
Once connected, update your Google Search Console property and resubmit your sitemap so Google indexes the new domain. That's it — a professional address that's yours for ~₹700 a year.
How do I connect a custom domain to my online store?
Buy a domain (e.g. yourbrand.in) from a registrar, then add the DNS record your store platform gives you — usually a CNAME for www and an A record (or ALIAS) for the root — pointing to the platform. Save it, click 'verify' in your store dashboard, and SSL provisions automatically. On HOD Media you type your domain, copy the exact record shown, add it at your registrar, and click 'Check now'.
How much does a domain cost in India?
A .in or .com domain costs roughly ₹500–₹900 per year from registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap or BigRock. That's the only fixed cost of a custom domain — SSL is free and auto-renewing on modern platforms.
Do I need a custom domain, or is a free subdomain fine to start?
A free subdomain (yourstore.platform.in) is fine to launch and test. But a custom domain (yourbrand.in) builds far more trust, looks professional in ads and on WhatsApp, and ranks better in Google. Start on the free subdomain and connect your own domain as soon as you're taking regular orders.
What is a CNAME and an A record?
They're DNS records that tell the internet where your domain points. A CNAME maps a subdomain (like www) to another hostname; an A record maps the root domain to an IP address. Your store platform tells you exactly which records to add — you just paste them into your registrar's DNS settings.
How long does it take for a custom domain to go live?
DNS changes usually propagate within a few minutes to a few hours (occasionally up to 24–48 hours). Once the record is detected, SSL provisions automatically and your store is live on your domain with https.