why you need a domain name... and how to point it where you want it to go.

I think the most important advice I've given, and seen... is not to ever invest in advertising your Etsy shop, or any "shop" url.

If you're planning to sell professionally, and you have a marketing plan, you need to take the time to register a domain name.

I use StartLogic. A domain name is about $9 a year and it's free to forward it anywhere you want.

You can point it to your Etsy store. So, even though you are technically promoting your etsy store, you are promoting a link that's fluid. Right now, my domain zparkleys.com points to my zparkleys Etsy store. Once that store has closed, because I have chosen to move away from the name, I will redirect the link to my justmonkeys Etsy store.


I've invested years and years promoting zparkleys. I've owned the domain since 1999, but because I've always promoted the dot com, and I've always renewed it and owned it, I can send all those people to whatever spot on the web I choose.

Protecting thousands of advertising dollars. Safeguarding my businesses future. Even though I am, kind of, starting over... I have a solid background of promotion to fall back on.

I can move with the wind, and not worry that my customers can't find me.


HOW TO POINT YOUR DOMAIN TO YOUR ETSY/SHOP URL:

I've added this section to this particular post because... gladly, it inspired someone to register her domain, it left her hanging on what to do next. I can only write this tutorial regarding the Startlogic platform, and navigation. If you have another host/domain service, you will have to ask them. It's almost always referred to as the "domain pointing" manager.

First, and more importantly, your Startlogic control panel is to be found here:

StartLogic Customer Control Panel

bookmark it. type your user name, password... go. so far, so good.


Now, once we're inside, it looks like this:



Go to the section labeled "Domain" and click on "Domain Pointing Manager" ...

You should see something that looks like this:



The first column is the domain, so far, easy... right... we're almost done. Hang in there.

The second column is where you choose the type of pointer.

• Home Directory is only for those of you that also purchased hosting.
• Subdirectory points to your hosted web space, as well, but a subdirectory of it.
• Parked is for sites that are inactive. It's like putting it on hold.
  

• URL this is what you want to use. this will forward your site anywhere you want.
  

As you can see here, staceyjean.com points to my home directory, and zparkleys.com points to my etsy store. Fill in your own stores URL, and hit "update" ... it usually takes effect within 5 or so minutes... depending.

Stealth mode masks the URL. If you go to zparkleys.com, you'll notice that it stays "zparkleys.com" in the URL bar. If you bookmark it, you will bookmark "zparkleys.com" not my Etsy URL.


For this demo, I have removed my other pointers, you have the ability to use up to 50. This is great for people who have various products they want to point to one website.


If you decided to sign up for StartLogic, tell 'em "staceyjean.com" sent you.



If you have any further questions or would like to offer advice for other hosts, please feel free to comment.