Flowhub Ecommerce menus can be hosted on a default Flowhub-provided domain or on a custom business domain. Selecting the right option ensures customers have a consistent and trustworthy experience when browsing and placing orders.
The dispensary ecommerce menu is linked from the main dispensary website, where customers typically go to find your hours, contact info, and product details. This menu is a separate shopping experience — and these are the options to decide what web address (URL) it will live on.
Use the Flowhub-Provided Domain
When Ecommerce is enabled, a store menu is automatically hosted on a Flowhub domain. Flowhub will establish the domain and send the dispensary an email with this information.
The domain will follow the format:
Format: {storename}.flowhub.shop
Example: Calisfinest.dispensary.shop
A great option for dispensaries that do not have a website - we just made one!
This is considered a subdomain.
What this means:
The ecommerce experience is hosted under a domain separate from your main site
Technically simpler to launch (no DNS setup required)
SEO value is limited — subdomains are treated as separate entities by search engines, so the traffic doesn’t directly boost your main domain’s authority
This option is fast, fully branded (with the dispensary's logo and colors), and easy to link from the store's website or Instagram.
Use a Custom Domain (Domain Routing)
A routed domain uses a full custom domain, such as dispensarymenu.com. Instead of extending an existing website, the routed domain becomes the primary address for the Ecommerce menu. This setup often requires A records (or a mix of A and CNAME records) in DNS to route all traffic directly to Flowhub’s hosting. The purpose is to establish Ecommerce as a standalone online destination, separate from the main dispensary site.
Choose a custom domain
Select a full domain name such as dispensarymenu.com.
Request routed domain setup from Flowhub
Contact Flowhub Support to request routed domain configuration.
Flowhub will provide the required DNS records, which often include both CNAME and A records.
Update DNS with provider
Enter the provided DNS records into the domain host’s dashboard.
Allow DNS changes to propagate (up to 48 hours).
Verify routing
Once confirmed, the Ecommerce menu will be hosted on the routed domain as the primary address.
What this means:
Customers see the dispensary's brand domain in the URL
The Dispensary maintains better brand consistency
The Dispensary gains stronger SEO performance, especially over time
Subdomains (like
shop.mydispensary.com) can sometimes be treated as separate from the main dispensary website by search engines, which can dilute SEO value.Subfolders (likemydispensary.com/shop) are not supported in Flowhub today
Summary of Subdomain vs. Subfolder (for context)
Feature | Subdomain ( | Subfolder ( |
Location in URL | Before the main domain | After the main domain |
Relationship to domain | Separate entity | Part of the main domain |
SEO impact | Can dilute the main domain authority | Benefits from the main domain authority |
Technical complexity | Higher | Lower |
Use a Vanity Domain
A vanity domain is usually a subdomain of an existing website, such as shop.dispensaryname.com. The core website (e.g., dispensaryname.com) remains the primary online presence. The vanity subdomain is configured with a CNAME record so it points to Flowhub Ecommerce hosting. The purpose is to keep Ecommerce branded under the dispensary’s existing website while signaling a separate, shoppable space.
Register a domain or subdomain
Purchase a domain through a provider such as GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap.
A subdomain such as shop.[dispensaryname].com is most common.
Obtain DNS records from Flowhub
Contact Flowhub Support (help@flowhub.com) for the specific DNS details required.
Records usually include a CNAME entry that connects the vanity domain to Flowhub hosting.
Update DNS settings
Log in to the domain provider’s management dashboard.
Add the CNAME record provided by Flowhub.
Save changes and allow 24–48 hours for propagation.
Confirm activation
Visit the site to verify that the domain connection is live.
The Ecommerce menu will display at the vanity domain once propagation completes.
💡Tip: Use an AI to help pull instructions on how to set up a vanity domain, depending on the provider selected.
Completion
At this stage, the Ecommerce menu can be hosted either on a Flowhub-provided domain or on a branded custom domain. Both options provide customers with a seamless way to browse and place orders, with the custom domain offering a more personalized brand experience.
FAQ
Q: Is a custom domain required for Ecommerce?
A: No. Every Ecommerce site is automatically hosted on a Flowhub domain. A custom domain is optional.
Q: Who updates the DNS settings for a custom domain?
A: The business’s domain provider handles DNS updates. Flowhub Support supplies the necessary records.
Q: Can the domain be changed later?
A: Yes. A store can start with the Flowhub domain and switch to a custom domain at any time.