How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Shopify Store

Your Custom Domain on Shopify: The Ultimate Guide

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When you launch an online store, your domain name is your digital address. It’s the first thing customers see and a cornerstone of your brand identity. While Shopify provides a default .myshopify.com address to get you started, establishing a professional presence means securing a shopify custom domain. This single step can transform your store from a side project into a legitimate, trustworthy brand.

But where do you start? The world of domains, DNS settings, and transfers can seem intimidating. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from finding the perfect name to connecting it seamlessly with your store. We’ll cover buying, connecting, and managing your shopify domains so you can build your brand with confidence.

Table of Contents

What Is a Shopify Domain and Why Do You Need One?

When you first create a Shopify store, you’re given a default URL, like your-store-name.myshopify.com. While functional, it doesn’t convey the professionalism and brand ownership that a custom domain does. So, what is a shopify domain? Essentially, it’s a branded web address (e.g., yourbrand.com) that you purchase and point to your Shopify store, replacing the default URL.

Using a custom domain name shopify offers several key advantages:

  • Brand Authority and Trust: A custom domain like www.yourbrand.com looks far more professional and trustworthy to customers than a generic subdomain. It shows you’re serious about your business.
  • Improved Memorability: A short, catchy domain is much easier for customers to remember and type, leading to more direct traffic.
  • Better SEO: Search engines tend to favor top-level domains. Having your shopify own domain gives you a stronger foundation for your search engine optimization efforts.
  • Brand Consistency: You can use your domain for custom email addresses (e.g., [email protected]), creating a consistent brand experience across all customer touchpoints.

Ultimately, investing in a custom shopify domain is a foundational step in building a successful e-commerce brand.

How to Buy a Domain Directly Through Shopify

For those who value simplicity and a streamlined setup, the easiest option is often to buy domain through shopify. The platform makes the process incredibly straightforward, handling all the technical configurations for you.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Navigate to the Domains Section: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
  2. Search for a Name: Click the "Buy new domain" button. This will take you to Shopify’s domain search interface. You can use this shopify domain search tool, which acts as a shopify domain name checker, to see if your desired name is available. The platform’s built-in shopify domain generator can also suggest alternatives if your first choice is taken.
  3. Check Availability: Enter your desired shopify domain name and see the results. Shopify will show you if the name is available and list the price for various extensions (like .com, .net, .store). The tool confirms shopify name availability in real-time.
  4. Complete the Purchase: Once you’ve found the perfect domain, click "Buy." The shopify domain purchase process involves confirming your contact information and payment details. The cost will be added to your regular Shopify subscription bill.
  5. Automatic Configuration: After the shopify domain registration is complete, Shopify automatically configures the domain to point to your store. There are no complicated settings to manage—it just works. This is one of the biggest perks when you shopify buy a domain.

Understanding Shopify Domain Costs

A common question for new merchants is about the financial investment. The shopify domain cost can vary, but it’s generally competitive with other popular domain registrars.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

  • Initial Purchase Price: The shopify domain name price typically starts at around $15 per year for common extensions like .com. More unique or premium TLDs (Top-Level Domains) like .store or .shop can have different pricing.
  • Renewal Costs: Keep in mind the shopify domain renewal cost, which is billed annually. This cost is usually the same as the initial purchase price, ensuring there are no surprise price hikes. The total shopify domain costs over time are predictable.
  • Subdomains: What about the shopify subdomain cost? Good news—subdomains (like blog.yourstore.com) are free to create and included with your domain purchase.
  • Privacy Protection: WHOIS privacy, which hides your personal contact information from public view, is included for free with all domains purchased through Shopify.

While there isn’t a permanent free shopify domain option for a custom name, Shopify sometimes runs promotions offering a free domain for the first year when you sign up for an annual plan.

How to Connect an Existing Domain to Shopify

Many store owners already own a domain through a third-party registrar like GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap. If this is you, the great news is that you can absolutely use your own domain on shopify. The process is called connecting, and it involves changing a few settings at your domain registrar to point the domain to Shopify’s servers.

This answers the common question, "can i use my own domain with shopify?" The answer is a resounding yes. Here’s the general process to connect existing domain to shopify:

  1. Add Your Domain in Shopify: In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains and click "Connect existing domain." Enter your domain name and click "Next."
  2. Update Your DNS Records: Shopify will provide you with two specific DNS records you need to change at your registrar:

    • An A Record that points to Shopify’s IP address: 23.227.38.65
    • A CNAME Record for the www subdomain that points to: shops.myshopify.com
  3. Log in to Your Domain Registrar: Go to your third-party domain provider’s website and find the DNS management section for your domain.
  4. Change the Records: Edit your existing A record and www CNAME record to match the values provided by Shopify. This is the core of managing your shopify dns settings for a shopify third party domain.
  5. Verify the Connection: Back in your Shopify admin, click "Verify connection." It can take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet, but it’s often much faster.

To add custom domain to shopify is a standard procedure. For specific instructions, it’s often helpful to search for guides like "connect godaddy domain to shopify" or "connect google domain to shopify," as each registrar’s interface is slightly different. Once connected, your store will be live at your custom URL.

Transferring Your Domain vs. Connecting It

When you bring an existing domain to Shopify, you have two options: connecting or transferring.

  • Connecting: You connect domain to shopify by changing your DNS settings. Your domain registration, billing, and renewals remain with your original provider (e.g., GoDaddy). You manage domain-level settings there, while Shopify manages the store content.
  • Transferring: The process of transferring domain to shopify involves moving the entire registration over to Shopify. When you move domain to shopify, Shopify becomes your registrar. All billing, renewals, and DNS settings are managed directly within your Shopify admin.

Transferring can simplify management by keeping your store and domain billing in one place. However, you must have owned the domain for at least 60 days before you can transfer it.

Managing Multiple Domains and Subdomains

Shopify makes it easy to manage a portfolio of domains shopify. You can have one primary domain and several redirecting domains.

For example, if your primary domain is yourbrand.com, you might also purchase yourbrand.net and yourbrand.store. You can set these additional domains to automatically redirect to your primary one. This is a smart strategy to protect your brand and capture traffic from users who misremember your URL extension. Learning how to add multiple domains to shopify is as simple as adding them in the Settings > Domains section and ensuring they are set to redirect.

It’s also common for merchants to wonder how to change shopify domain name. You can’t change the registered domain name itself, but you can easily change which domain is your primary one. If you add a new domain and want it to be the main address customers see, you can designate it as the primary domain with a single click in your domain settings. The process to change domain name shopify refers to this primary designation switch. Additionally, all shopify domain hosting is included with your plan, so you never have to worry about separate hosting fees.

Should You Buy a Domain From Shopify or a Third Party?

This is a critical decision point for many merchants. Answering "should i buy a domain from shopify?" depends on your priorities.

Buy from Shopify if:

  • You want the absolute simplest, most integrated setup.
  • You prefer a single bill for your store and domain.
  • You don’t want to deal with DNS settings.

Buy from a Third-Party Registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap) if:

  • You want more advanced features like included email hosting (Shopify only provides email forwarding).
  • You might want to move your store away from Shopify in the future and want to keep your domain separate.
  • You find a better price or a specific TLD that Shopify doesn’t offer.

When considering is it better to buy a domain from shopify or godaddy, there’s no single right answer. GoDaddy might offer more features, but Shopify offers unparalleled convenience for its users. The choice comes down to simplicity versus control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a shopify domain cost?
A typical shopify domain name cost for a standard extension like .com is around $15 per year. Prices vary depending on the top-level domain (TLD) you choose. This fee includes annual renewal at the same price and free WHOIS privacy.

Is shopify domain free?
No, a custom domain is not free. While Shopify provides a free .myshopify.com subdomain, a professional custom domain must be purchased. However, Shopify occasionally offers a free domain for the first year with the purchase of certain annual plans. So, to clarify is shopify domain free, the initial registration may be covered by a promotion, but annual renewals will still apply.

Can I change my shopify domain name?
You cannot edit or change a domain name once it has been registered. However, you can change which domain is set as the primary domain for your store. If you decide you want a different name, you will need to purchase a new domain and set it as your primary one.

How do I buy a domain on Shopify?
You can purchase a domain directly from your Shopify admin. Simply go to Settings > Domains, click "Buy new domain," use the search tool to find an available name, and follow the prompts to complete your purchase. The cost is added to your Shopify subscription bill.

Is it better to buy a domain from Shopify or GoDaddy?
It depends on your needs. Buying from Shopify is simpler and offers seamless integration. Buying from GoDaddy can offer more features like bundled email hosting and may provide more flexibility if you plan to use services outside of Shopify.

How do I add multiple domains to Shopify?
From your Shopify admin, navigate to Settings > Domains. You can either "Buy new domain" or "Connect existing domain" to add more domains to your account. You can then set one as your primary domain and have the others automatically redirect to it.