In this article we cover:
A domain is the website address, also called a URL, where people can find your store on the internet.
When you first create a Shopify account you’re asked to choose a store name. This store name is used to dynamically create your Shopify domain in the format https://yourstorename.myshopify.com. This domain is initially set as your primary domain.
This domain is used for logging into your Shopify admin dashboard. It can also be used as your customer facing URL but we strongly advise against it. Instead, we recommend you buy and use your own branded custom domain name to build credibility and trust. Customers want to do business with your brand not with Shopify.
If you take our advice and decide to get your own custom (branded) domain name you have three options:
If you don’t have a preference for a domain registrar it’s probably easiest to buy your domain directly from Shopify. Their pricing is competitive with other domain registrars although you might be able to save a couple of dollars by shopping around. Based upon your technical prowess you’ll have to decide whether saving a couple of bucks is worth the extra time and hassle setting up your domain to point to Shopify.
The main advantage of buying direct from Shopify is that Shopify will automatically set up your domain for you so you don’t need to get into setting up DNS records.
The main disadvantage is that Shopify does not provide email accounts as part of its domain service. However, you can use Google’s G Suite or Zoho Mail for your email accounts and easily connect them to Shopify. If you prefer to use other email hosting providers Shopify will support them but you’ll need to be willing to play around with your domain’s MX records.
Buying a domain name from Shopify is very easy. You can purchase your domain name either via the Shopify mobile app or via the Shopify admin website. We provide step-by-step instructions for both.
1. Open the Shopify App on your mobile device and press the Store icon in the bottom right corner.
2. In the Sales channels section press Online Store.
3. Press Domains
4. Press the BUY NEW DOMAIN button at the top.
5. Type the domain you want to buy into the domain search box and see the domains available.
6. Choose the domain you want and press the Buy button next to it.
7. Add your payment details and complete your purchase.
8. Return to the Domains screen. If your new domain is ready it will be listed here. Press the Change primary domain link.
9. Select your new domain from the list and press Save.
Congratulations! Your new Shopify domain is ready to go.
1. Log into Shopify admin on your desktop computer
2. In the Sales channels section click Online Store.
3. Click Domains
4. Press the Buy new domain button on the top right
5. Type the domain you want to buy into the domain search box and see the domains available.
6. Choose the domain you want and press the Buy button next to it.
7. Add your payment details and complete your purchase.
8. Return to the Domains screen. If your new domain is ready it will be listed here. Press the Change primary domain link.
9. Select your new domain from the list and press Save.
Congratulations! Your new Shopify domain is ready to go.
If you have a domain name that you purchased externally from a domain registrar rather than from Shopify, it’s simple to add it to Shopify if you have some understanding of setting up DNS records.
You can add your domain either via the Shopify mobile app or via the Shopify admin website. We provide step-by-step instructions for both.
1. Open the Shopify App on your mobile device and press the Store icon in the bottom right corner.
2. In the Sales channels section press Online Store.
3. Press Domains
4. Press the dots in the top right corner to display the dropdown menu. Press Connect existing domain.
5.Type the domain you want to connect into the empty field and press Next.
6. Now Shopify knows which domain you wish to connect but for it to work you must change your domain’s DNS settings to point to Shopify’s servers.
7. Log into your domain provider’s dashboard, select the domain you wish to use and click Manage Zone (your provider might call it something different).
8. Create/edit your A record to point to the Shopify IP address, which is 23.227.38.32 and set TTL to the lowest time possible (for now).
9. Create/edit your CNAME record to point to shops.myshopify.com and set TTL to the lowest time possible (for now).
Note that it might take up to 48-72 hours for these changes to take effect across the internet depending upon your domain registrar.
Once your domain settings have been verified by Shopify you should receive a notification. You can also check by revisiting your Domains screen. After your domain has been verified you need to make it your primary domain by following the instructions below.
1. Log into Shopify admin on your desktop computer
2. In the Sales channels section click Online Store.
3. Click Domains
4. Click Connect existing domain
5. Enter your domain into the Domain box and click Next.
6. Now Shopify knows which domain you wish to connect but for it to work you must change your domain’s DNS settings to point to Shopify’s servers.
7. Log into your domain provider’s dashboard, select the domain you wish to use and click Manage Zone (your provider might call it something different).
8. Create/edit your A record to point to the Shopify IP address, which is 23.227.38.32 and set TTL to the lowest time possible (for now).
9. Create/edit your CNAME record to point to shops.myshopify.com and set TTL to the lowest time possible (for now).
Note that it might take up to 48-72 hours for these changes to take effect across the internet depending upon your domain registrar.
Once your domain settings have been verified by Shopify you should receive a notification. You can also check by revisiting your Domains screen. After your domain has been verified you need to make it your primary domain by following the instructions below.
It’s simple to change your domain name from either the default Shopify domain (e.g. yourstorename.myshopify.com) or another domain you have added.
You can make the domain change either via the Shopify mobile app or via the Shopify admin website. We provide step-by-step instructions for both.
Note: these instructions assume you have either already purchased a domain from Shopify or you have connected an external domain from a 3rd party domain registrar.
1. Open the Shopify App on your mobile device and press the Store icon in the bottom right corner.
2. In the Sales channels section press Online Store.
3. Press Domains
4. Press the Change primary domain link.
5. Select your new domain from the list and press Save.
You have changed your primary domain.
1. Log into Shopify admin on your desktop computer
2. In the Sales channels section click Online Store.
3. Click Domains
4. Click the Change primary domain link.
5. Select your new domain from the list and press Save.
Congratulations! You have changed your store to a new domain.
