Set Up Custom Store Subdomains (Global Store Subdomains)

DecoNetwork lets you use your own branded domain as the base for all of your stores, with each store running on its own store subdomain. For example, if your branded domain is acmecustomshop.com:

• north-high-school.acmecustomshop.com – an affiliate store selling spirit wear for a school community
• acme-corp.acmecustomshop.com – an affiliate store for a corporate uniform program
• partners.acmecustomshop.com – a fulfillment center–managed portal for multiple client stores

This article walks you through the Global Store Subdomains settings and the changes you’ll need to arrange with your DNS (Domain Name System) provider. You can also disable stores’ ability to use DecoNetwork domain names and add a free wildcard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate to your custom domains so customers can browse securely over HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why use global store subdomains
• Step 1: Configure domain names used in your stores
• Step 2: Install a free wildcard SSL certificate
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Prerequisites

Why use global store subdomains

• Clear brand ownership: use your branded domain (for example, acmecustomshop.com) as the foundation for all stores, instead of DecoNetwork-hosted URLs.
• Store-level separation: give each affiliate or customer their own store subdomain (for example, north-high-school.acmecustomshop.com).
• Secure browsing: protect every store subdomain with a single wildcard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate using HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).

Step 1: Configure domain names used in your stores

1) Open Global Store Subdomains

1. Log into your DecoNetwork Website.

2. Go to Admin → Websites → Global Store Subdomains.

   

   

   The Global Store Subdomains page will load. Any previously added custom domains will be listed here.

   

2) Review the store subdomain settings

DecoNetwork domains

The Allow DecoNetwork domains checkbox (when enabled) makes DecoNetwork’s store domain names available to stores, in addition to any custom domains you provide.

Custom domains

Custom domains let you choose the branded domain portion of the store URL (for example, acmecustomshop.com), while each store uses its own store subdomain (for example, north-high-school).

3) Add the wildcard DNS record for global subdomains

To use a global store domain for your affiliate stores, you’ll need to add a single wildcard DNS record (typically by using an asterisk as the hostname) with your DNS (Domain Name System) provider.

DNS record for global subdomains (wildcard):

4) Add your custom domain in DecoNetwork

1. On the Global Store Subdomains page, click Add Domain.

2. Enter the domain in the Domain Name field (for example, acmecustomshop.com).

   

   Do not add www or any other prefix to the domain name. Stores use the domain in this format: (store-subdomain).(branded-domain).(TLD) (for example, north-high-school.acmecustomshop.com).

3. Click Save to add the domain to the list.

   

5) Verify your domain

1. Click Verify Domains to verify any unverified domains.

2. Confirm the domain shows as Valid / [OK] after verification.

   

   If you have correctly configured your DNS settings to point to DecoNetwork, the Verified status for the custom domain will be updated from "[NOT VERIFIED YET]" to "[OK]".

   
3. Save your changes.

Step 2: Install a free wildcard SSL certificate

Add a free wildcard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate to secure all store subdomains for your branded domain.

1. Log into your DecoNetwork Website.
2. Go to Admin → Websites → Global Store Subdomains.

3. Click the SSL button for your custom domain.

   The SSL setup page will be displayed.

   

   The SSL button is only visible if the domain has been verified.

1) Add the DNS validation record

Before requesting a wildcard certificate, add a CNAME (Canonical Name) record to your domain’s DNS records to prove ownership. This uses an ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) challenge record.

DNS record to validate wildcard SSL:

2) Request the free wildcard certificate

1. Once your acme_challenge DNS record is in place, click Request Free Wildcard Certificate.
2. If you get a deployment error, make the necessary corrections and request the certificate again later.
3. Click Save.

3) Confirm SSL deployment

If the wildcard SSL certificate has been added successfully, the SSL Status for the custom domain will be updated from "[Not Requested]" to "[SSL Certificate deployed]".

Best-practice tips

• Verify first, then SSL: confirm your branded domain is verified before attempting to request the wildcard SSL certificate.
• Use the root domain only: enter acmecustomshop.com (not www.acmecustomshop.com) when adding domains in DecoNetwork.
• Plan for propagation: allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate before re-trying verification or SSL requests.
• Choose clear store subdomains: use readable, customer-friendly names (for example, north-high-school or acme-corp).

Troubleshooting

My custom domain won’t verify

• Confirm you added the wildcard DNS record exactly:
  • Record Type: CNAME (Canonical Name)
  • Hostname: *
  • Value: dns.deco-apparel.com
• Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours), then click Verify Domains again.

The SSL button is missing

• The SSL button only appears after a domain is verified. Verify the domain first, then reload the page.

I’m getting an SSL deployment error

• Double-check the _acme-challenge CNAME (Canonical Name) record matches the unique value shown on the Setup SSL page.
• Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours), then request the certificate again.

FAQs

Can stores still use DecoNetwork domain names?

Yes – if Allow DecoNetwork domains is enabled, stores can use DecoNetwork domain names in addition to any branded domains you add.

What will the store URL look like with a branded domain?

Stores use the URL format: (store-subdomain).(branded-domain).(TLD). For example, north-high-school.acmecustomshop.com.

How many custom domains can I add?

You can add multiple custom domains using Add Domain, then verify each one.

Additional Resources

• Custom website domain DNS Records
• Set a custom domain name for your DecoNetwork affiliate store
• How to Install and Manage SSL Certificates in DecoNetwork