If a client or interior designer in Los Angeles types timothyjohnla.com into their address bar without adding www. at the beginning, the connection hangs and eventually times out. Even the showcase link on LA Web Design LLC's portfolio page points to https://timothyjohnla.com/ and fails to load—while visitors who specifically type https://www.timothyjohnla.com/ reach your Shopify store, where 40 separate JavaScript files and 100 kilobytes of HTML load on the homepage.
Why Your Root Domain Times Out While WWW Works
Once a visitor reaches www.timothyjohnla.com, your curated Los Angeles aesthetic and direct contact access at (323) 632-8384 and tim@timothyjohnla.com come through clearly. However, because modern browsers default to HTTPS and hide the www. prefix in the address bar, many people type or link to the bare root domain https://timothyjohnla.com.
Right now, your DNS CNAME record for www is properly pointed at Shopify, but the root @ (apex) record is not completing an HTTPS handshake—causing anyone who omits www. to hit a dead end.
5-Minute DNS Fix for Tim: Pointing your root @ DNS A record to Shopify's primary ingress IP (23.227.38.65) and verifying domain forwarding inside Shopify Admin will make https://timothyjohnla.com redirect cleanly to https://www.timothyjohnla.com every single time.
Domain Routing & Storefront Check on TimothyJohnLA.com
| Endpoint / Layer | Result on TimothyJohnLA.com | Expected Behavior | Real-World Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
Root URL (https://timothyjohnla.com) |
Connection Timeout (5,000+ ms) |
301 Redirect to www |
Direct type-ins and external links without www fail to open the site. |
Subdomain (https://www.timothyjohnla.com) |
200 OK (511 ms response) |
Under 150 ms response |
Storefront loads properly when www is present. |
| Homepage Script Queue | 40 JavaScript files |
6–8 core scripts |
40 separate scripts slow down collection browsing on mobile Safari. |
| Homepage Markup Size | 100 KB HTML (Shopify + Bootstrap) |
Below 45 KB |
Heavy inline Liquid and Bootstrap markup adds unnecessary weight. |
How We Can Help TimothyJohnLA
1. Resolving the Bare Domain HTTPS Timeout Immediately
We can help you update your DNS A and AAAA records and confirm Shopify's SSL certificate provisioning on the root domain so no client, designer, or referral link ever hits a timeout again.
2. Streamlining the 40 Shopify Scripts & 100 KB Homepage Markup
After fixing the domain routing, we can help you trim redundant Bootstrap scripts and leftover Shopify app files so your product photography, collections, and inquiries open effortlessly on iPhones and iPads.
3. Rich Product & HomeGoodsStore Schema for Los Angeles Search
Adding structured Schema.org JSON-LD markup across your collections helps Google surface your pieces and availability directly in organic search results.
Let Me Know If You Would Like a Hand Fixing the DNS or Speed
If you manage your own domain registrar, updating that root A record to 23.227.38.65 will solve the bare domain timeout right away. If you would like me to walk you through it or help clean up the 40 scripts on your Shopify storefront, I am right here in Los Angeles and glad to help. You can browse our work on the WebDesigner.LA Portfolio, book a quick call on my Consultation Calendar, or call or text me at (818) 903-2338.