1. How to set up your custom domains? General information

This content is aimed to help you configure your domain name for cross border business.

In brief, we’ll show you how to configure a domain name (that you own) so that it points to the localized (translated) versions of your store created by Glopal. This way the customers typing in their browsers the address you choose will see the proper localized version of the site.

This “mapping” is done through adjusting the DNS (Domain Name System) configuration of your domain.

Choosing the localized URLs format

You have 2 options when it comes to choosing how your custom domains will be set up:

1. As subdomains to your existing domestic page (e.g. https://de.example.com)
   → You won't need to purchase any new domain for this setup.
   
   
2. As a new top-level domain (e.g. https://example.de when the domestic store is https://example.com)
   → You will need to purchase the domains you would like to use.

Recommendations

• Choosing localized subdomains (option 1) is the easiest and requires the least effort. You will only have to add 2 DNS records to your existing domain and you don't need to buy new domains.
• This option may not be available though if you plan to advertise on Google Shopping with Glopal and your domestic store's URL operates on a top-level domain (without www or any other subdomain prefix) that is already claimed in the Google Merchant Center. Please consult your Glopal Account Manager if in doubt.
• If your domestic store uses a country code top-level domain (so something like www.example.fr) we recommend buying and configuring a new domain (option 2). Having a site with an address like de.example.fr can look weird and confusing for the user.
  
• With option 2 you can buy a single domain per country (example.fr, example.es, etc) or just one "international" domain (e.g. example.global) for which we will be happy to setup localized subdomains for you (fr.example.global, es.example.global, etc). The choice is yours.
• If you already have a dedicated domain for international purposes - stay consistent!

The full process has been described and broken down for your convenience into a series of articles (full list below):

• Requirements
• Process overview 
• Instructions for Subdomains
• Instructions for Regular Domains
• Additional content:
  - How does the DNS system work?
  
  
  

If you would like to share the complete instructions document with third parties involved in this process feel free to download the file linked below.