Overview

A custom URL allows you to rebrand the Storefront application URL from "www.four51.com" or  "*.four51ordercloud.com" to any available domain like "store.yourdomain.com". A security protocol, called a SSL certificate, is required for the custom URL. This certificate is used to inform a user’s browser that you are who you say you are when they access the application over https.

Implementation of a custom URL is a straightforward process that requires a series of communications between Storefront, DigiCert, Storefront customer, and the person responsible for making DNS changes for the domain.

1. All parties will confirm that your chosen domain name can be used for Storefront site. If the domain name is no longer owned, we recommend that you obtain it from a domain name registrar like GoDaddy.com
2. You will confirm that you can receive an email sent to admin@domain to approve the order.
3. You will also confirm with the domain contact that they are able to make a DNS change to forward traffic from the domain name for the custom URL to a specific Storefront IP address.
4. You will confirm with Storefront the domain name and the ability to receive an email sent to "admin@domain".
5. Storefront will place the order for the SSL certificate for that name from a provider called DigiCert. Orders can be placed for a standard certificate for the chosen domain only, or for a wildcard certificate that can be used to extend a certificate to multiple third level domains like "brand1.yourdomain.com" and "brand2.yourdomain.com".
   (All certificates purchased are valid for one year, and Storefront will facilitate the renewal process annually) 
6. DigiCert will send an order approval email to the "admin@domain" mailbox.
7. The owner of this mailbox will approve the order with DigiCert.
8. DigiCert will issue the certificate to Storefront.
9. Storefront will configure the security certificate on our application server using a service called Server Name Indication (SNI) that allows us to instruct the Storefront application to respond to your custom URL with the specific SSL certificate.
10. Storefront will create the page redirects necessary to route the custom URL to the specific entry point into the Storefront application your configuration requires.
11. The domain contact will make the DNS entry to route traffic for the chosen domain name to the IP address provided by Storefront.
12. You will inform Storefront when the DNS entry has been made.
13. Storefront will work with you to confirm that the custom URL is working and that the SSL certificate has been applied. The following information is needed to proceed:
    • What is the domain name you are going to be using?
    • If not already owned by you or your customer, it may need to be purchased. 
    • Is this a standard or wildcard domain type?

There are no charges for Standard URL setup. For pricing inquiries for Standard (Customer-Provided) and Wildcard URL setup send an email to storefrontcustomersupport@sitecore.com

We will create the order for the SSL certificate with DigiCert, who will then send an email to admin@domain to approve the order.  Once DigiCert sends the approval email there is a 30 day window for the approver to approve the certificate request. After 30 days the certificate will expire and a new one will need to be reissued.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is a redirect?
A. URL Redirect (also referred to as URL Forwarding) is a technique which is used to redirect your domain's visitors to a different URL. You can forward your domain name to any website, webpage, and so on, which is available online. You do not need Storefront's assistance to implement a redirect. Note that unlike a custom URL, the Storefront URL will appear in the address bar once the end-user has arrived at the Storefront. For this reason, a redirect is not a complete branding solution, but it is sufficient for some clients.
 
Q. What is masking?
A. URL masking, also known as cloaked URL forwarding, or link cloaking, uses your domain name for your website in a different way. In this case, the domain points to a browser with a frame which shows your website within it. No matter which page the end-user visits, the URL in your Storefront address bar stays the same. Your URL is cloaking or masking the real address of your website, which is the server that they are hosted on.
Potential problems with masking include inability to forward links and poor SEO performance. In addition, masking has been used for malicious purposes, and is therefore viewed as an unnecessary security risk.

If you need any further assistance, raise a support case from the home page of Sitecore Support Portal.