Understanding domain terminology

Domain

• The address entered in the browser’s address bar.
  You can create one using a combination of letters, numbers, and hyphens (-) so it's easy for customers to remember.
   

Domain provider

• Domains can be purchased on a yearly basis from domain providers and connected to your store.
  You can also purchase domains directly from Cafe24 through the admin panel.
   

Default domain

• When a store is created, a default domain is issued in the format store-id.cafe24.com.
  However, because the admin ID is exposed, it is not recommended for customer-facing services.
  We recommend using a domain you own or purchasing a new one for live operation.
   

Primary domain

• The main domain (URL) that represents your store. Only one primary domain can be set per store. This is the domain that appears in search engine results such as Google and Naver.

Subdomain

• A subdomain is created by adding a word or path before the main domain to represent a specific section or function. For example, help.cafe24.com is a subdomain created by adding help in front of the main domain cafe24.com.

SSL certificate

• A security protocol that creates an encrypted connection between the browser and server to protect customer and store data.
  It uses https:// to securely display your store content.
  Cafe24 offers free SSL certificates for key pages such as login, signup, and checkout.

Name server

• A server that stores the mapping between a domain and its corresponding IP address.
  The name server converts a domain name into an IP address to route traffic to the correct server.
  If you purchased your domain from another provider, you’ll need to update its name server information to connect it to your store.

DNS (Domain Name System)

• Every domain has its own DNS record.
  DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites without needing to remember numeric IPs.

A record

• A type of DNS record that directly links a domain name to a server IP address.

CNAME

• A type of DNS record that points a domain name to another domain name.

MX record

• A type of DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for sending and receiving emails on behalf of the domain.

TXT record

• Contains text information that can be used by external services.
  For example, you can add a TXT record provided by a third-party service to verify your domain ownership.

ICANN

• ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) s a global organization that oversees the regulation and management of domain names.
  When a domain is purchased, ICANN verifies the information of both the registrant and the hosting provider, and oversees the assignment of IP address space linked to the domain.

Domain transfer

• The process of moving a domain from one provider to another.
  It's more convenient to manage your domain and store under the same provider.
  By transferring your domain to Cafe24, you can easily manage renewals, billing, and DNS settings directly from the admin panel.