1. Commerce
  2. System Management
  3. Domains
  4. Introduction to Domains

Introduction to Domains

Every website is located (hosted) in a specific physical location (domain) on a web server connected to the internet. The physical location is identified by an IP address, which is a long string of numbers and difficult to remember. To make the location easier to remember, the IP address of every website is mapped to a text-based domain name, such as, www.example.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

When a user wants to access a website, they type the domain name into their browser, which sends the domain name to a global network of servers that form the Domain Name System (DNS). These servers contain lists of domain names and their associated IP addresses. The servers search these lists until they find the IP address of the requested domain and then forward the browser’s request to the web server with that IP address. The web server is where the website is located. The web server now fetches the requested website and sends it back to the browser.

Commerce web stores are hosted on NetSuite servers. You can use your own domain name for your website by associating the domain name with the location of the website on the NetSuite hosting domain. For example, if you have the following domain names registered: shop.mysite.com and www.mysite.com, you can use them for your Commerce web store.

Domains Simplified

If you are not familiar with the concept of domains, it may help to think of it as trying to find an unfamiliar physical store from which you want to buy something. The store is located on a plot of land (domain) that is part of a large retail park (web server). You can enter the geographical coordinates (IP address) of the store into your satellite navigation system (web browser), or you can use the easier-to-remember store address (domain name). Your satellite navigation system sends messages to the GPS satellite network (DNS) and identifies how to get to the store. The store contains different areas, for example, the reception area, the clothing section, the accessories section, and the checkout. These areas correspond to the different pages on your website.

Domain Setup Checklist

Complete the items on the following checklist to set up your website domains:

  1. Determine the domain types you require for your website — see Types of Domains.

  2. Determine how to set up your shopping and checkout domains — see Domain Options for Web Stores.

  3. Buy the required domain names from a domain name registrar, such as godaddy.com or name.com.

  4. Set up, secure, and deploy (if needed) your chosen domain type — see Set Up a Domain.

  5. Link your domain name with your NetSuite domain — Point Your Domain Name at Your Domain (DNS Settings).

Related Topics

General Notices