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Launching Your Site

When you are ready to launch your Stacks website, close collaboration with your designated EBSCO Implementation Project Manager or Library Service Engineer is crucial to facilitating a seamless launch process. Following these steps will ensure a smooth and effective launch.

 

1. Choose a DNS Provider

Choose a reliable DNS service provider that offers the necessary features, security, and scalability essential for your website. While you have the flexibility to purchase your domain from any reputable DNS provider, we strongly recommend considering CloudFlare for its comprehensive services and robust capabilities.


2. Select a Domain (URL)

In the process of choosing a domain name, take into account the following criteria to ensure it aligns with your brand and effectively serves the objectives of your website:

    1. Relevance to Content
      Choose a domain name that reflects the content, purpose, or theme of your website. It should give visitors a clear idea of what to expect.

    2.  Brand Alignment
      Ensure the domain aligns with your brand identity. It should be consistent with your company name, products, or services

    3. Memorability
      Opt for a memorable and easy-to-spell domain. This aids in word-of-mouth marketing and makes it simpler for users to recall.

    4. Short and Simple
      Keep the domain short and straightforward. Avoid overly complex or lengthy names that may be prone to misspelling. Domain names should not exceed 15 characters.

    5. Do not use Hyphens, Avoid Numbers
      The domain name cannot include non-alphanumeric characters. The following are examples of domains that are not acceptable:

          • https://www.example-site.com
          • https://new-site.example.com
          • https://new site.example.com; or
          • https://www.example.com/stackssite

    6. Keyword Inclusion
      If relevant, include keywords that represent your industry, niche, or main focus. This can improve search engine optimization (SEO).

    7. Unique and Unambiguous
      Choose a unique name to differentiate your website from others. Ensure it is not easily confused with existing brands or websites.

    8. Choose an appropriate extension
      Decide on the appropriate domain extension (TLD) such as .com, .net, .org, or others. While .com is widely used and recognized, choose one that best suits your website's purpose.

.

By considering these criteria, you can choose a domain name that not only represents your brand effectively but also contributes to a positive user experience for your audience.

https://example.stacksdiscovery.com

 

3. Select & Schedule a Launch Date

After obtaining your domain name from a DNS service provider, work in collaboration with your Implementation Project Manager (or LSE) to establish an appropriate launch date. It is imperative that all launch requests reach the Stacks team a minimum of 5 business days before the designated launch date.

Important Note: We cannot ensure or schedule Go Lives to take place at a specific time on the launch day. Nevertheless, we are dedicated to completing Go Lives within a 6-hour window as designated on the scheduled day.

 

4. Update Your DNS Settings

IMPORTANT: DNS Settings must propagate before the launch can be completed. To avoid delays, please complete these steps at least 4-6 hours BEFORE your scheduled launch date.

These instructions are guidelines for updating your DNS settings and may differ from the DNS administration portals you may use. If you need assistance updating DNS settings, please contact your DNS service provider or refer to this Google documentation.

  1. Log into Domain Registrar Account: Access the account with the domain registrar where you purchased your domain name. This is where you'll manage DNS settings.

  2. Locate DNS Management: Navigate to the DNS management section. This might be labeled as "DNS settings," "Name Server Management," or something similar.

  3. Add or Edit DNS Records: Your IPM (or LSE) will advise you which records to add/edit.

      • CNAME Record: This will be provided in the format of a########.stacksplatform.site.
        When using a naked or root domain (library.com) you will need to add a CNAME record for the www. subdomain along with a URL redirect or forwarding rule.
      • TTL (Time to Live): by default, this is typically 3600 seconds (1hr), however it may take longer to propagate through all root and secondary DNS servers, your site will be unavailable during this time. For faster changes consider changing the TTL to 300 seconds (5mins). 
         
  4. Save Changes: After editing each record, save your changes. Some registrars might require you to confirm changes before applying them.

  5. Advise EBSCO: Please inform your implementation project manager, LSE, or EBSCO representative once you have completed the DNS changes.
To validate these DNS changes have been made, you can use a tool called 'Dig' to show the DNS records.

 

5. Stacks will Launch your site

On your scheduled launch day, a Stacks team member will confirm the updated and propagated DNS settings using a DNS checker tool. Upon successful propagation, the Stacks team will conclude the launch process by transferring your site to the production server. Your Implementation Project Manager (IPM) will notify you once this has been completed. To prevent potential data loss on your Stacks site, refrain from making any changes until you have received confirmation that your site has successfully gone live.

 

Additional Domain Transfer Resources

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