Launching an online store on Shopify is more than just adding products; your brand domain name is the key part of establishing trust and credibility with your audience. A domain name is the digital address of your business that helps customers easily find and remember your store.
Shopify provides a default subdomain, which is less memorable as compared to a custom domain name. In e-commerce, where competition is high, a clear and professional domain can set your store apart and make it easier for customers to return.
Whether you're transferring an existing domain or buying a new one, this guide provides clear steps to help you set up your Shopify domain.
What is a Shopify domain?
A Shopify domain is the web address customers use to access your online store. When you create a new Shopify store, by default, Shopify provides a subdomain in your store URL, https://yourstore.myshopify.com.
Merchants can purchase custom domain names from third-party registrars like GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap, or Hostinger. They also buy a domain directly from Shopify, which includes automatic setup, SSL certification, and domain management.
If merchants are using a domain purchased outside of Shopify, they have to update their DNS settings to direct the domain to Shopify. The primary domain is the main store URL, and SSL certificates encrypt the data transferred between users and the website.
Brand Identity: A custom Shopify domain makes your store look more professional by providing a web address that matches your business name. A domain like www.storename.com is much more recognizable than a subdomain like www.storename.myshopify.com.
Improve Ranking: A branded domain improves search ranking by making your website look more trustworthy and relevant. By choosing a domain name that matches keywords enhance brand recognition and credibility. It also helps in link-building, as other websites are more likely to link to a professional, branded URL.
Marketing: A memorable domain name is easier to use in email campaigns, social media, and advertising. It provides more flexibility to use 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 a Domain to your Shopify Store?
Connecting a domain to your Shopify store is not as complex as you may think. Follow the steps given below:
1. Buy a Domain from Shopify
If you don’t already have a domain, you can purchase one directly from Shopify.
- Log in to the Shopify store with your credentials.
- In the Shopify admin panel, go to Settings and then select Domains.
- Click Buy new domain and search for your desired name.
- Review the available domain extensions (Use TLD domain extensions) and their price.
- Click Buy for the domain you want to purchase.
- To automatically renew the domain before it expires, enable the auto-renew option.
- Enter the contact information, choose the payment method, and proceed to checkout.
2. Connect Domain to Shopify
After successfully buying a domain from Shopify, the next step is to connect with the store.
- Go to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Settings>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 your Shopify store, it will become your primary domain by default, and shown to your customers as the web address. If you already have a custom domain on your store, the new domain will not automatically become your primary domain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnZnsNlzNl8
How to Connect Third-Party Domains to Shopify?
If you bought a domain from a third-party provider, update its DNS settings to point to Shopify.
- Go to your Shopify admin page, navigate to Settings>Domain.
- Click Connect Existing Domain and enter the domain name you purchased from a third-party provider.
- Follow the instructions provided to update your domain provider's DNS settings.
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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 a 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 and takes 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 a Domain to Shopify?
If you already own a domain from a third-party provider and want to use it in your store URL, transferring the domain to Shopify is the solution. After transfer, Shopify becomes your domain registrar, eliminating the need of a third-party registrar.
- Log in to the Shopify admin panel. Navigate to Settings > Domains.
- Click Connect existing domain and select Transfer domain to Shopify.
- Enter the domain name and click 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. Prefer watching over reading? This video guide shows you how to connect a domain to Shopify.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lki5jONpzF8&ab
How to Change Primary Domain in Shopify?
Changing the primary domain in Shopify is a straightforward process that allows you to set another domain as the main address. This is useful if you want to rebrand your store or simply use a different domain name.
- From your Shopify admin panel, navigate to Settings>Domains.
- Click the domain from the list you want to set as primary.
- In the Target and type section, click on Set as primary next to domain type.
Shopify updates your primary domain and redirects all traffic to the new domain.
How to Troubleshoot Common Shopify Domain Issues?
There are common issues that arise when adding a domain to Shopify.
Domain not working
If your domain isn’t working after 48 hours, try to clear 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, verify that your A record points to 23.227.38.32 and the CNAME record (www) points to shops.myshopify.com. If the issue is unresolved, reach out to your domain registrar support.
Third-party Domain not verified
Confirm that you've accurately added the required DNS records or contact your domain provider for further support. Remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to complete.
