Set Up a Shopify domain on your online store allows you to use a custom domain name instead of the default Shopify subdomain. A branded domain makes your store look professional, enhance credibility and help customers remember your site easily.
Shopify provides free SSL certificates for all connected domains, encrypting data to secure transactions and build customer trust.
Whether you purchase a domain from Shopify or connect an existing one from third-party providers. A custom domain not only enhances your brand identity but also improves search engine ranking. This ensures that your store aligns with your branding strategy and gives you full control over your online identity.
What Is a Shopify domain?
A Shopify domain is the web address customers use to access your online store. When you create a Shopify store, Shopify provides a default domain in the format https://yourstore.myshopify.com.
Merchants purchase custom domain names from domain registrar like GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap, Hostinger, etc.
Shopify also allows users to purchase a domain directly from Shopify platform, offer automatic setup, SSL certification, and renewal management. If using a third-party domain, merchants must update their DNS settings to point the domain to Shopify. The primary domain determines the store main URL and SSL certificates encrypt data which is transferred between users and the website.
Brand Identity: A professional domain is essential for building trust and improving your Shopify store visibility. For instance, a domain like www.storename.com is much more recognizable than a subdomain like www.storename.myshopify.com.
SEO Benefits: Custom domain improves search ranking by making your website appear more trustworthy and relevant. A well-chosen domain name that matches keywords or your business name enhances brand recognition and credibility. Custom domains also help with link-building, as other websites are more likely to link to a site with a professional, branded URL.
Marketing: A custom domain is easier to use in email campaigns, social media, and advertising. It also provides more flexibility for business email addresses, creating a cohesive marketing strategy.
Full Domain Ownership & Control: Owning a domain provides greater control over your online presence, allows you to manage DNS settings, create subdomains, and configure email addresses.
How to Connect Domain to Shopify Store?
Connect a domain to Shopify store allows customers to access your site using a custom web address.
1. Buy domain on Shopify
If you don’t already have a domain, you can purchase one directly from Shopify.
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Log in to the Shopify store with your credentials.
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In the Shopify admin panel, go to Settings and then select Domains.
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Click Buy new domain and search for your desired domain name.
- Review the available domain extensions (Use TLD domain extension) and their price.
- Click Buy for the domain that you want to buy.
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To automatically renew the domain before it expires, enable Auto-renew every year option.
- Enter the contact information, choose payment method and proceed to checkout.
2. Connect Domain to Shopify
After buying a domain from Shopify.
- Go to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Settings and then select Domains.
- Find the domain you purchased and click Connect.
Shopify will automatically configure the DNS settings. It may take up to 48 hours for the domain to fully activate. If this is the first domain you added to Shopify store, then it will be shown to customers as the web address. If you already have a domain on store, the new one automatically redirects to your primary domain.
How to Connect Third Party Domain to Shopify?
If you purchased a domain from a third-party provider, you have to adjust your Domain Name System (DNS) settings to connect the domain to Shopify.
- Go to your Shopify admin page, navigate to Settings>Domain.
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Click Connect Existing Domain and enter the domain name you purchased from a third-party provider.
- Follow the instructions to update your DNS settings with your domain provider.
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You need to access DNS records in a third-party domain provider account and update your current values to verify domain ownership.
Set A record to point Shopify address 23.227.38.32.
Set CNAME record with the name www to point to shops.myshopify.com.
- Save all the changes.
- Return to your Shopify Admin panel. Click Verify Connection.
- Shopify checks the updated DNS settings. It will take up to 48 hours for verification.
Once the domain is verified, go to the Domains section in Shopify and set your third-party domain as the primary domain.
How to Transfer Domain to Shopify?
Transfer domain to Shopify allows you to manage all your domain settings from your Shopify admin. After transfer, Shopify becomes your domain registrar, eliminating the need of third-party services. This streamlines processes like domain renewal, DNS management, and email forwarding directly from your admin dashboard.
- Log in to the Shopify admin panel. Navigate to Settings > Domains.
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Click Connect existing domain and select Transfer domain to Shopify.
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Enter the domain name and click on next.
- Go to your current domain registrar and unlock the domain to allow the transfer.
- Get the authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar and enter it in Shopify.
- Review domain transfer details and confirm.
The domain transfer process takes 5 to 7 days to complete. You will receive mail from Shopify when the transfer is complete.
How to Change Primary Domain in Shopify?
Changing the primary domain in Shopify allows you to set a custom domain as the main address customers see when they visit your store. By default, Shopify assigns a .myshopify.com domain, but you also connect and set a custom domain to make your store look more professional.
- Access Shopify admin panel and select Setting in bottom-left corner.
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Select Domain and open the domain from the list you want to set primary.
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In the Target and type section, click on Set as primary next to domain type.
- Shopify updates your primary domain, and redirects all traffic accordingly.
How to Troubleshoot Common Shopify Domain Issues?
There are some common issues that arise when adding a domain to Shopify.
Domain not working
If your domain isn’t working after 48 hours, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Ensure that your DNS settings are correctly configured and pointing to Shopify servers.
DNS error
If you get a DNS error while connecting your domain, check that your A record points to 23.227.38.32 and CNAME record (www) points to shops.myshopify.com. If not resolve, contact domain registrar support.
Third-party domain not verify
Confirm that you've correctly added the required DNS records or contact your domain provider for further support. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to update.
