Setting Up Your Prints Subdomain For Better Rankings And Customer Experience

I have set up the subdomain but when I go into the settings, on my A record there is a setting called TTL that you can choose different time increments. like 1 min, 5 min, 30 min, 1 hour... it is default set for 1 hour.

I don't know what this means or if I should change it? Or should I just enter the ip4V and leave the rest alone?

Any advice?

OK
Probably a very silly question...
What is Pixels Premium? Is this something I can sign up for?

Hi Mo, I believe it means our artist website.

Okay, never mind about my question above. I Googled it and think I understand now.

Ok I messed up that subdomain. yikes!

Will try a new one later...

Leave other things as auto or default

Thanks Abbie.

But you should only have ONE Ip there. just the one we give you

Following. Which domain hosting provider do you use?

I use FXDomains to purchase the domain but my site is hosted on Stablehost. I use cpanel on that. As the site is there, that is where I make all my changes

Thanks!

So our premium pixels website isn't good enough anymore? Or is this if we already have a separate website?

Wow, cool. I did just set this up in my cpanel and it started resolving immediately.

I'll let it "cook" overnight and then explore a bit more tomorrow. After the https kicks in.

Edited to add: I just checked before I turned in and saw the “secure site” kicked in. Looks like it was about 15 minutes. All looks good - this is slick (and no more fooling with CloudFlare).

Mark, it's for people who now have two sites, this one and one they run elsewhere

That's cool, Bill. This is a game changer status wise for us with our own sites

your site looks good Abbie, so when we do this does the ....myname.pixels.com go away or is that still there too?

It's there. You can't point to a domain that doesn't exist. But you should be forgetting it altogether and working purely with the prints.yourdomain.com

That's the one you link to on your main site. You then concentrate on your main site. That's the one you market.

This is what people should already be doing is pointing a domain. This just makes it easier for those of us who already utilise a main site but want to promote our prints also in the way we want to show them off

What is actually displayed using the subdomain approach, is it essentially an exact mirror image copy of the premium website? Can we edit the appearance, eg, page colours etc, or like the widget #1, is it just a case of what we get, is what we get?

At the moment, my impression is that we would not be able to change anything style wise, and the only benefit is that (apparently) using a subdomain is better from an SEO perspective. Is that correct?

Sweet. My new https://prints.billswartwout.com is even tracked perfectly with Google Analytics. I didn't have to change a thing.

Yes Philip

As Bill says, the site, using your own custom domain, is Google ready. Even better than it is using the pixels link for your advertising

OK, thanks for the clarification, will look into trying this.

It's going take a minute to wrap my brain around this, please be patient with my questions.

My domain rebeccaherranen.com is hosted on GoDaddy. Is this where I create the sub domain?

There is that other place where we get our SSL, correct? Can't remember the name of that. Please remind me. Do I need to do anything there?

You don't have to get an SSL.

I've just got to pop out for an hour, but I'll be back soon and try to explain all this better for you

Oh okay, I actually don't need this because I don't have a seperate website. Gotcha!

Okay, I've tried to do this, but it's telling me that my record number is invalid on the first record...

I have GoDaddy...What am I doing wrong?
Here's what I have...

First Record:

Type: A
Name: @ OR www - I've tried both.
Value: 3.232.178.98
TTL: 1/2 hour

Second Record:

Type: CNAME
Name: prints.
Value: susantregoning.com
TTL: 1/2 hour


I just realized...I never undid the Cloudflare since it was so difficult to add in the first place. Is that my problem?
Also, my other domain name susantregoningphotography.com masks my Pixels Premium right now.

When you google me....susantregoning.com comes up #1 & susantregoningphotography.com comes up #2.
Will this even help my rankings or should I just keep it the way it is?

Rebecca, for GoDaddy

Domain Portfolio > Click on the Domain Name > Go to DNS > Add New Record

After that, I need help.

My premium site is already at the top of Google search. I am fortunate to have a less common name so when my name is Googled all my sites come up with the Premium site at the top.

So whats the difference now? With the prints URL it shows all the merch. not just prints.

Abbie your https://isabellashores.com/ is not coming up.

I get a blank page

Thanks Susan!

@ Jessica, are you saying that your premium site comes up if you search your name or if you search for your specific type of art minus your name?

Thanks Abbie!

So it seems that the prints URL has taken over the original URL

I googled Bill and Abbie

Will this work if we create a page on our main website that goes to the AW personal pixels page so we don't have to purchased another domain?

That is because it is not pointed here now. prints.abbie-shores.com is

Susan, I do not understand why you have your address in two halves

Please send me a screenshot abbieshores@pixels.com showing all your DNS settings

Jennifer, this is for subdomains not pages

Abbie, I can't get it to recognize the First Record for it to even check the second record. First record is invalid.

GoDaddy has boxes to fill out...
For the CName Record:
The box for "Name" shows an example of "blog or shop" so I put "prints" there.
The box for "Value" shows an example of "coolexample.com" so I put "susantregoning.com" there.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;)

Jessica, that's what I'm beginning to think, too. I'm lucky I've gotten this far, and everything integrates well between my two websites.

Abbie, I know one of your websites hosts images for uploading this screenshot, but I don't remember which one.

Abbie, I have two domains. Vistaphotography.com which forwards to Vistaphotography.pixels.com and when you google/Bing/yahoo me I am number one across the spectrum. (Like Jessica said).

I have no website at Vistaphotography.com but could build one I suppose I do have a WordPress in there but it is ignored because of the forward...

Now I also have Jeff-foliage.com which has a TON of traffic (200.000 views a year) and I "could" do a subdomain there BUT! All images and links that I have (and I have a lot) are ALL pointing at Vistaphotography.pixels.com

I don't think it would benefit me to swap over to prints.jeff-foliage.com when I'm already recognized for vistaphotography,pixels.com is getting lots of traffic... I think it would be a great deal of work to change all that...

Thoughts?
Also on your Lulu account, I would create a calendar asap using the AI images in the book and create a little merchandising in conjunction with the book rollout... Just a thought... AND if we could stop uploading prints here and just create a mug/tote/pillow instead, I would say that would work really well as an add-on

Jeff, it's the same for me. I'm second-thinking it, too.

Jeff, I had (have) many links to my bill.pixels.com - but they now (automatically) resolve to https://prints.billswartwout.com

For example, from my www.IndianRiverBridge.com website, try this one: https://bill.pixels.com/collections/indian+river+inlet+bay+and+bridge

That "should" end up at: https://prints.billswartwout.com/collections/indian+river+inlet+bay+and+bridge --- If they do not automatically switch, the landing page will still work with the older bill.pixels.com landing page. I just made the changes late last night and most (some?) of the changes seem to be effective already. It will likely take a day )or coupld of days) for all of it to kick in.

Susan

abbieshores@pixels.com

for some reason my phone created a page link

You way is much as I have done on your website you have a text link Photo Art Gallery and that links directly to https://bill.pixels.com/collections/indian+river+inlet+bay+and+bridge

What Abbie has done is to embed the Pixels site right into her website which I have also done here https://jeff-foliage.com/fall-foliage-photography/new-england-covered-bridges/

When someone goes to the page for covered bridges. they can explore Pixels directly from my page and they do not leave my site. They make their selection and even add a print to their cart and check out, never leaving my site...
(Yours looks great)

But going by Abbie's process it is similar to mine in that I create a static page and direct this custom page to Prints.jeff-foliage.com and probably embed the pixels website on the page and it also keeps the customer "completely on my website which is something people have asked for.

But through the process of embedding the Pixels site on my pages, I can still keep the customer on my website... I'm just not sure about the exact process...

There seems to be some confusion, so let’s clarify:

You don’t have to point your subdomain to your Pixels Premium site—but if you’re considering doing so while keeping your own main website active, this is the best way to achieve a professional and effective setup.

A subdomain doesn’t replace your main website; instead, it complements it. By creating a subdomain specifically for your prints store, you maintain your primary site for other content (e.g., blogs, galleries, or portfolios) while giving your premium Pixels site a dedicated space for selling your art.

Here’s how to make it work:

Update Your DNS Settings: On the hosting provider where your main site is hosted, set up a subdomain and point it to your premium Pixels website.
Choose a Clear Name: Use "prints" for the subdomain—prints.yourdomainname.com. This is not only straightforward but also the most SEO-friendly option, ensuring that search engines recognise it as an extension of your primary domain.

If your premium site is already ranking well on Google, you don’t have to make any changes. This setup is entirely optional and is designed for those who want to connect their premium store to their main site without affecting either one negatively.

The Benefits of This Approach

Your original site stays intact, providing information, branding, and content.
The subdomain directs customers to a sleek, secure shopping experience on your premium site.
By linking the subdomain to your premium site, you strengthen your online presence with consistent branding.

For those who are unsure about fully merging their sites, this approach is the perfect middle ground: keep your website, improve your premium store’s visibility, and enjoy the best of both worlds.

If you need further guidance, feel free to ask—getting this right is simpler than it seems!

Jeff (et al), I likely used a poor choice as my example. I should have just used https://www.billswartwout.com/ - but I was checking links at one of my “other” category sites this morning - and that was still on my screen.

On my main Bill Swartwout site (https://www.billswartwout.com/), I have used Abbie’s method in my menu links to take people to my pixels premium site but keep the domain looking solid.

I may try making my Bill Swartwout look a bit closer to the appearance of my pixels premium site that may further enhance the “relationship” between me and FAA.

I am thinking of doing the same with my site. Like I could lose the ABOUT on pixels and just keep it to my abbie-shores.com homepage like it is. Keep the colours consistent

Greetings all!

Sorry for derailing the thread, I just didn`t feel like starting a new one. Returning after some 6+ years of absence, I am considering my next moves regarding the whole "premium" site thing, and reading the comments here, I assume its something easy to set up? I have no online presence whatsoever, so my ideal scenario would be to run things directly from FAA if it all syncs by itself? And lastly - should I start establishing my portfolio on the site given by premium, or first upload on FAA internally, and expand to the site once I have my feet wet?

Thanks in advance! And very happy to be back!

VZ.

Quick update: I set it up last night for another (small) account I have and its "matching" website.

https://www.aiartimagery.com ---> https://prints.aiartimagery.com

The DNS change (via Cpanel on the website) resolved immediately, and the "secure" level at FAA kicked in 30 minutes later. Very nice!!!

Vlad... honestly I would outlay the $30 for a whole year as soon as possible and advertise the bejabbers out of that domain. Everywhere you are a member, get that url in the profile. make everyone know about it. The sooner you do, the sooner SEO is triggered

Thanks a lot for your advice Abbie!

Vlad,

If you upload images to FAA they automatically go to premium. I always upload to FAA. And should go to premium more often probably. (Can you access discussions from Premium?)

If you are serious and long term I'd pay the $30 a year for premium. If you only plan to post 5 or 10 things and do not hope for income I'd go for free version. Or if you can't pay the $30 of course go with free version.

Bill,

I went to your BillSwarthout.com link and while it starts at the top as a blog. Near the bottom you have all these different links and gallery sites. I'm impressed by your website options.

Your website at the bottom with all the options is probably the most detailed and widest variety of links and options that I've seen on an individual artist site. It's probably an example of why someone might want their own website versus the basic pixels site.

I can't imagine having the knowledge commitment time energy and technology skills to set up all those galleries and sites. (But I'm starting here old and tired and challenged so I'm just sticking with Premium Pixels site for now.)

Stumbled on your "best sellers and most popular works" collection which you mention everything there has sold at least twice. I enjoyed seeing the best sellers displayed together.

You mention you have sold your most popular photo the Charles W Cullen Bridge in Delaware over 100 times. That's impressive ! People love bridges !

My favorite is the French Fries on the Boardwalk. I refuse to eat reconstituted multiple ingredients "French Fries". The only ones worth eating are the ones from Fresh Real Potatoes.

Just thought I'd mention that Bill. Also I'd note you are able to get some income from places like Booking.com ad/link which is also impressive for this Luddite Congratulations on your success. Clearly a lot of hours have went into all of that.

Looking forward to giving this a go :)

I have a domain name (ivesart.com) and I want to keep it as the main name for my website now that I have FAA and Pixel.
I have read the discussion threads above (subdomain, etc) but do not feel at all comfortable going through the steps that would integrate everything properly.
Is there someone who could walk me through this process? Zoom conference call perhaps.
Many thanks for the group's time and consideration.

Quicker than I expected. My new "prints" subdomain is now appearing on page one of the Bing search results under a search for Bill Swartwout Photography and just plain ol' Bill Swartwout. Happy camper here with the change. The image below is a screen shot from the Bing SERPs.

Yes, it is one of the beauties of doing it this way. Really helps our standing

And it looks like it is starting to work.

I think I might try this too

I tried setting up my sub-domain today on my Wordpress site.

My Wordpress site - https://apexcr8.com
Subdomain created - https://artprints.apexcr8.com/ points to my pixels premium website.

I noticed error messages as described below and need advice from my FAA admin or fellow artists -

When I first opened https://artprints.apexcr8.com/ it gave me an error saying “Your connection is not private” -attackers might be trying to steal your information from artprints.apexcr8.com. NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID.
I clicked in Advanced button on the screen - and I see error “This server could not prove that it is artprints.apexcr8.com; its security certificate is from *finesrtamerica.com or an attacker intercepting your connection. “
Link provided on screen - “Proceed to artprints.apexcr8.com (unsafe)” . When I click this link I navigate to my pixels premium website but I suspect there is something else missing to ensure buyers coming to https://artprints.apexcr8.com/ do not see above error.

Has anyone else faced this issue?

These changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate across the web. That is how domains work, unfortunately

Thanks for response Abbie.

it is done...

Godaddy can help in chat if you need it to set this up