====== Domain and Email ======
When you create your restaurant in SandwichBoard, you not only supply its name, you also supply its unique domain. If you do not own a domain name that you can use (like ''billsbbq.com''), you must still designate one--even if it doesn't exist in the real world. Out-of-the-box, SandwichBoard allows patrons to access your site from ''yourdomain.sandwichboard.com''. For example, if you indicate that your domain is ''billsbbq.com'', your SandwichBoard site is available at ''http://www.billsbbq.sandwichboard.com/'' and ''http://billsbbq.sandwichboard.com/''.

If you own, or later choose to own, a domain name for your restaurant, you can follow the steps below to point it to your SandwichBoard site to maintain a more professional image and to send and receive email using Google Gmail. For example, if the owners of Bill's Barbecue decided to own ''billsbbq.com'' and followed the steps below, their restaurant's site would be accessible from ''http://www.billsbbq.com/'' and ''http://billsbbq.com/''. As well, they would have an ''info@billsbbq.com'' email address to correspond with patrons and suppliers.


===== Domain Name Configuration =====
To use your domain (eg. ''billsbbq.com'') with SandwichBoard you must create an ''A'' host record pointing to ''8.12.36.202'' and ''www'' ''CNAME'' alias record pointing to your domain.

SandwichBoard uses and recommends GoDaddy for Domain Name Services.


==== Domain Configuration with GoDaddy ====

   - Log in to your account at http://www.godaddy.com/
   - Mouse over the **Domains** tab and click **My Domains**.
   - On the **Manage Domains** page click the domain that you want to use with SandwichBoard.
   - Click **Total DNS Control And MX Records**.
   - Click **Edit** (a button that looks like a pencil) next to the ''@'' A host record.
   - **Enter** ''8.12.36.202'' as the **Points To Ip Address**.
   - Click **OK**, and then click **OK** again.
   - Click **Edit** (a button that looks like a pencil) next to the ''www'' CNAME alias record.
   - **Enter** ''@'' as the **Points To Host Name**.
   - Click **OK**, and then click **OK** again.

==== Domain Configuration with Network Solutions ====

   - Log in to your account at http://www.networksolutions.com/
   - Click on the **Domains** left-hand tab and select **Manage Domain Names**.
   - At the end of the **Domain currently points to** row, click **Edit**.
   - Click **Manage DNS Records**.
   - Click **Add/Edit** under **IP Address**.
   - Check the **Delete** check boxes next to the A host records for ''www'' and ''* (All Others)''.
   - **Enter** ''8.12.36.202'' as the **Host IP Address** for the ''@ (None)'' A host record.
   - Click **Go** and then **Go** again on the confirmation screen.
   - Click **Add/Edit** under **Host Alias**.
   - **Enter** ''*'' and ''www'' CNAME alias records and select ''@ (none)'' as the **Refers to Host Name** for each.
   - Click **Go** and then **Go** again on the confirmation screen.

==== Domain Configuration with other Registrars ====

The process for creating and managing A host records and CNAME alias records is similar with other Domain Registrars. Please check with your registrar for instructions.


===== Gmail Configuration =====
SandwichBoard uses and recommends Gmail for business email.

Google provides excellent [[http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/index.html|instructions]] and support for setting up Gmail for your domain.