Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Shopify Primary Domain
- How to Change Your Shopify Primary Domain Name
- SEO Considerations
- FAQ
Have you ever considered the pivotal role your domain name plays in establishing the identity of your online store? Your domain is not just a digital address; it's a representation of your brand online, a crucial aspect of your marketing and branding strategy, and significantly impacts user experience and SEO. Given its importance, changing your Shopify store's primary domain name might seem daunting. However, it's an essential maneuver for various reasons like rebranding, improving brand recall, or aligning your domain name with your evolved business offerings.
Introduction
Imagine landing on a website with a URL that doesn't at all hint at what the business sells or represents. Confusing, isn't it? That's the power of a domain name - it can make or break first impressions. Given that, it's no surprise that you might be considering changing your Shopify store's primary domain name to better represent your brand. This guide intends to demystify the process of changing your primary domain on Shopify, making it straightforward for you to make the transition smoothly, whether you're aiming for better brand alignment, improved SEO, or a more memorable name for your customers.
By the end of this blog post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of why changing your Shopify domain might be beneficial for your store, the steps involved in making the change, considerations to keep in mind to preserve your SEO standings, and answers to common questions around the topic.
Understanding the Shopify Primary Domain
Before diving into the process of changing your Shopify primary domain, let's understand what a primary domain means in the Shopify ecosystem. By default, when you create a Shopify store, you are given a URL that follows the format your-store-name.myshopify.com. While functional, this default domain does not do much for your branding or customer perception. As your store grows, a custom domain that aligns with your brand and can be easily remembered by your customers becomes essential.
Moreover, a primary domain is the main address your customers will use to find your online store. You may have multiple domains that redirect to your primary domain, but there will only be one primary domain that represents your storefront's home on the web.
How to Change Your Shopify Primary Domain Name
Changing your primary domain on Shopify involves a few clear steps. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Purchase or Transfer Your New Domain
Before you can change your primary domain, you need to have your new domain ready. You can either buy a new domain through Shopify or transfer one you already own from another registrar to Shopify.
- Buying a Domain through Shopify: Navigate to your Shopify admin dashboard, go to Online Store, and select Domains. From there, click on 'Buy new domain' and follow the prompts.
- Transferring Your Existing Domain: If you already own a domain with another registrar, you need to transfer it to Shopify. This involves unlocking the domain at your current registrar, obtaining a transfer code, and initiating the transfer in the Shopify admin dashboard under the Domains section.
Step 2: Set Your New Domain as the Primary Domain
Once your new domain is listed in your Shopify admin under Domains, setting it as the primary domain is straightforward.
- Navigate to Online Store > Domains, and you'll see an option to 'Change primary domain'.
- Select your new domain from the list and confirm it as the new primary domain.
Step 3: Update DNS Settings (If Applicable)
If you transferred your domain or are using a domain not purchased through Shopify, you might need to update your DNS settings to point to Shopify's servers. This ensures your new domain correctly directs to your Shopify store. Typically, you'll need to point your A record to Shopify's IP address (23.227.38.65) and your www CNAME record to shops.myshopify.com.
Step 4: Implement Redirects and Update URLs
To prevent losing traffic and preserve SEO, implement redirects from your old domain to your new primary domain. Additionally, update any external links (social media profiles, Google My Business listings, etc.) and marketing materials with your new domain.
SEO Considerations
Changing your primary domain is a significant change that can affect your store's SEO. To mitigate negative impacts, ensure you set up 301 redirects from your old domain to the new one. This not only helps guide visitors to the correct site but also signals to search engines that your site has moved, transferring the SEO value to the new domain.
Moreover, after changing your domain, monitor your website's performance metrics closely. Identify any drops in traffic or rankings and address them promptly. It's also a good time to conduct a comprehensive SEO audit to identify any other opportunities for improvement.
FAQ
Q: Will changing my Shopify domain affect my store's data or inventory?
A: No, changing your Shopify primary domain does not affect your store's data, inventory, or settings. It only changes how customers access your site.
Q: How long does the domain change process take?
A: The process of changing your domain can be completed in a few minutes, but the propagation of DNS changes across the internet might take up to 48-72 hours.
Q: Do I need to inform my customers of the domain change?
A: While it's not a requirement, informing your customers about the domain change through email or social media updates can help avoid confusion and ensure a smooth transition for your customer base.
Changing your Shopify store's primary domain name is a significant step in your branding and marketing efforts. While it requires careful consideration and planning, especially regarding SEO and user experience, the process itself can be completed with ease following the outlined steps. A well-chosen domain name not only reinforces your brand but can also enhance your store's credibility, memorability, and overall online presence.
