How to change your Shopify store domain: A simple 5-minute guide
Having a Shopify store is so busy that we sometimes forget to “take care” of your domain, which is also the thing that people see the most when visiting your site. The old domain might not cut it anymore since you want to rebrand or aim for a more professional domain. Whatever the reason, knowing how to change Shopify store domain is your golden ticket to keeping your eCommerce game strong.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Shopify domains and show you exactly how to change yours – no tech genius required! Stick with us, and I’ll show you how to swap it out!
Contents
1. What is Shopify Domain?
A Shopify domain is basically your store’s address on the internet – it’s what customers type into their browser to find your online store.
Any store owner’s starters when first signing up for Shopify have the same freebie domain that looks like “yourstorename.myshopify.com.” It’s handy for logging in, but let’s be real – it screams “I’m new here!”, and does not tell your customers about your store’s unique vibe.
💡So, what defines a good domain?
- Short & memorable – easy to type and recall.
- Branded – matches your business name to build recognition.
- Keyword-rich – boost your SEO strength in the digital world.
- Professional looking – to build trust with shoppers
- Product-oriented – tells people what you’re selling. Using “yummybakes.com” for a toy shop would not be a smart choice.
2. Types of Shopify Domain: Pick your flavor
Before you dive into how to change Shopify store domain, let’s find out about all the types of Shopify domain options we have. Generally, there are 3 types, each with its own pros and cons, all listed in the table below:
Type | Definition | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Default “myshopify.com” | Free domain like “yourstore.myshopify.com” | ✔️ No cost ✔️ Instant setup | ❌ Looks generic ❌ Harder to build brand |
Domain bought on Shopify | Custom store domain URL purchased directly via Shopify | ✔️ Easy setup ✔️ Auto-connected ✔️ Managed within Shopify ✔️ Auto-renewal | ❌ Slightly pricier cost than other methods. ❌ Tied to Shopify so limited control. ❌ More complex to sell your domains. |
Third-Party Domain | URL from other providers like GoDaddy, IONOS, Namecheap, etc. | ✔️Cheaper options ✔️ Full control ✔️ Wider options to select | ❌ Manual DNS setup, takes effort ❌ More technical setup |
But wait, have you had your store name yet? It is important to decide your go-to name for the business before going further with the domain. Make sure to check out the most successful name ideas for inspiration.
👉 Need a domain idea? Shopify’s domain generator tool has your back – just give it a whirl!
3. How to Change Shopify Domain?
Here is the main dish: how to change Shopify store domain. Pick your preferred method, follow the steps, and watch your store shine in its new URL!
However, it is important to note that this guidance assumes that you already have your Shopify store built. If you are just starting out, take a look at the 9 quick steps to launch a Shopify store!
3.1. Step 1: Buying or connecting a new domain
3.1.1. Method 1: Buy and Connect a Domain from Shopify Website
To buy domain on Shopify is the straightforward and easiest way of all! Let’s follow these simple steps to have a Shopify domain purchase and let them handle the heavy lifting:
1️⃣ Log in > go to “Settings” at the bottom left corner > hit “Domains.”
2️⃣ Click “Buy New Domain” button. It’s about $15/year – sometimes the more fancy endings like “.co” or “.shop” cost more, up to $100 per year. For some other domains, the price changes after the first year.
3️⃣ Type your dream domain (e.g., “officesuppliers.com”) into the search bar, and Shopify will automatically show you options.
4️⃣ Choose your favorite, click “Buy”. From here, you must review your payment details.
5️⃣ Click “Buy Domain” again to seal the deal. It’ll take up to 48 hours to go live.
3.1.2. Method 2: Connect a Third-Party Domain (Automatically)
If you already have a domain from GoDaddy or IONOS, it is actually very easy to connect it automatically with your Shopify store. Here are the steps to do in your Shopify domain settings:
1️⃣ Go to Shopify Admin > click the “Settings” button > then tap “Domains”.
2️⃣ Now, click “Connect Existing Domain”.
3️⃣Type in your domain and click “Next.”
4️⃣ Hit “Connect automatically” – Shopify will try to link it for you.
5️⃣ If needed, you might have to sign into your GoDaddy or IONOS account.
6️⃣ Click “Connect” > then “Close.”
Wait 48-72 hours for the domain to be verified. And then, your domain will be listed in the THIRD-PARTY DOMAINS section of the Domains page with the status Connected.
3.1.3. Method 3: Connect a Third-Party Domain (Manually)
No auto option? No sweat! Here’s how to connect a domain to Shopify manually:
1️⃣ Change your DNS in the third-party domain provider:
Log into your domain provider, and:
- Set the A record to Shopify’s IPv4: 23.227.38.65.
- Set the AAAA record to Shopify’s IPv6: 2620:0127:f00f:5::.
- Set the CNAME record (with “www”) to shops.myshopify.com. (don’t skip the dot at the end of the domain!).
Note: You might need to change the Hostname to @ symbol if needed. And make sure to delete other A and AAAA records on the domain if you have one.
2️⃣ Connect domain to Shopify:
Back to the Shopify admin and go through some clicks:
- Tap on “Settings”.
- On the left side bar, choose “Domains”
- Click on “Connect Existing Domain.”
- Enter your domain, click “Next.”
- Then choose “Connect Domain”. You will have to wait 48-72 hours.
3.2. Step 2: Set your new domain as primary
You are now 100% ready with your new domain, but there is still more to make it the main one your customers see on every visit. So now is the time to explore how to change the primary domain on Shopify:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > Domains in Shopify admin:
2️⃣ Pick your newly added domain from the list:
3️⃣ Click “Change domain type” next to your domain:
4️⃣ Select “Primary Domain” from the new popup:
5️⃣ Click “Change Domain Type” button:
And voila! You have now successfully changed your Shopify store domain to an optimized and catchy one. Forget about those dummy “myshopify” on your domain.
4. The final words
And there you have it, everything you need to know about how to change domain on Shopify store is there! The domain is just not a simple URL, more than that, it’s the identity of your brand in this competitive eCommerce world. So make sure to follow this guide closely. Whether you’re snagging a Shopify custom domain or linking one you already own, you can do it easily.
Need more Shopify tricks? Check out eComStart – a Shopify knowledge hub for prebuilt stores and pro tips to skyrocket your sales. And, if you’re just starting out, don’t miss the Shopify 3 months for $1 deal from us.
5. FAQs
