Storefront supports two URL query string parameters that let you pass context from your own platform into a customer's Storefront session — before they even start browsing your store. Both parameters work by appending values to any Storefront URL you share with customers.
- dnstemplateid — pre-selects a specific DNS template for the customer's session, so the right DNS configuration is applied automatically when they register a domain.
- extuserid — associates a Storefront customer account with an identifier from your own system, so you can link records across platforms.
How query strings work
When a customer follows a URL containing one or both parameters, Storefront stores those values for the duration of the session. The parameters take effect silently — customers don't see them and don't need to do anything differently.
Both parameters can be used together or separately, and can be appended to any page in your Storefront:
https://[your-storefront]?dnstemplateid=7161d6b2-84cc-44df-93fc-69ef6c75bd9e&extuserid=acme-user-1042Sessions expire automatically after 7 days.
dnstemplateid — pre-select a DNS template
When a customer follows a link containing dnstemplateid, Storefront applies the specified DNS template automatically when they register a domain during that session.
This is useful when you know which service a customer is signing up for. Rather than relying on your store's default template or leaving DNS unconfigured, you direct customers to the right template at the point of sale.
For full details on how DNS templates work, creating templates, and finding template IDs, see DNS Templates in Storefront.
Session behaviour:
- The template selection stays active for the customer's session.
- If the customer logs out and returns without following a new template link, subsequent registrations use the store's default template (if one is configured).
- If the customer clicks a different template link in the same session, the new template replaces the previous one.
extuserid — link a customer to your own system
The extuserid parameter stores an identifier from your own platform on a Storefront customer account. Use it to maintain a mapping between Storefront customer records and records in your own CRM, billing system, or hosting platform.
The value must be alphanumeric. There is no character length limit.
How it's stored:
When a customer follows a link containing extuserid and creates or logs in to their Storefront account, Storefront stores the value on their customer record. The value appears on the Customer Detail page in Storefront Manager under External User ID.
You can also add, change, or remove the extuserid value manually from the Customer Detail page at any time, without requiring the customer to follow a link.
How it's useful:
If your platform has its own user database, extuserid lets you record your internal user ID on each Storefront customer account. When you receive a webhook event for that customer (for example, a domain registration), the payload includes the extuserid value — so you can immediately identify which record in your own system to update.
See Storefront Webhooks for how to use webhook payloads to build automated workflows.
Combining both parameters
Both parameters can appear in the same URL:
https://[your-storefront]?dnstemplateid=7161d6b2-84cc-44df-93fc-69ef6c75bd9e&extuserid=acme-user-1042A common pattern: a customer signs up for a hosted service on your platform. You generate a link containing their internal user ID (extuserid) and the DNS template for that service (dnstemplateid). When they follow the link and register their domain, the DNS is configured correctly and their Storefront account is linked to your system — all without manual steps.
Embedding a query-string link in your website
You can pre-populate both parameters in a domain search form on your own site. See DNS Templates in Storefront for a complete HTML/JavaScript starting point that embeds a domain search form with dnstemplateid pre-selected.
Troubleshooting
The extuserid value isn't appearing on the Customer Detail page.
Confirm the extuserid parameter was alphanumeric and was included in the URL the customer followed. The value can also be added manually on the Customer Detail page in Storefront Manager.
The DNS template isn't being applied even though dnstemplateid is in the URL.
Confirm the template ID in the URL matches the ID shown in Storefront Manager. Also confirm the template is active and that the domain being registered uses Shopco nameservers, templates don't apply to custom-nameserver domains. See DNS Templates in Storefront for full troubleshooting.
A customer registered without the template or user ID being captured.
This usually means the customer's session expired, or they logged out and back in without following the link again. Sessions expire after 7 days. Confirm the customer followed the correct link directly before registering.
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