Mastering Shopify: How to Change Your Store’s URL Like a Pro

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding the Basics
  3. Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Shopify URL
  4. Safeguarding Your SEO
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQs
Shopify - App image

Have you ever wanted to change the URL of your Shopify store but found yourself puzzled about where to start? Whether it’s for branding purposes, to match your new business direction, or simply to make your URL more memorable for your customers, changing your Shopify store's URL can be a strategic move. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the steps, tips, and considerations to seamlessly change your Shopify store’s URL, ensuring you maintain your store's integrity and SEO rankings in the process.

Introduction

Imagine the internet as a vast sea of online stores, each fighting to be noticed by potential customers. Your URL is essentially the lighthouse guiding customers to your store amidst this ocean. A clear, memorable, and brand-aligned URL can make a significant difference in attracting and retaining customers. But how do you change your Shopify store’s URL once you’ve already set sail? Changing your URL might seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge, it's a smooth and strategic process.

In this blog post, you'll learn the ins and outs of changing your Shopify store’s URL, from the simplest steps to safeguarding your SEO. This guide is designed to help you execute a seamless transition, making your store’s URL more appealing and aligned with your brand identity without losing your hard-earned search engine rankings.

Whether you're rebranding your store, moving to a custom domain, or have other reasons for making the switch, this article is your go-to resource for all things related to changing your Shopify store's URL.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the steps of changing your Shopify store’s URL, it’s important to grasp the foundational elements involved. Your Shopify store initially comes with a default domain in the format of ‘yourstorename.myshopify.com’. While functional, this default domain lacks the personal touch and brand identity that a custom domain can offer.

The Importance of a Custom Domain

Securing a custom domain for your Shopify store is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's a strategic business decision. A custom domain enhances your brand’s visibility, builds trust with your customers, and plays a crucial role in your store's search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. It makes your store's address on the web truly your own, echoing your brand's uniqueness and professionalism.

Preparing for the Change

Before you take the plunge, there are preparatory steps to ensure a smooth transition:

  1. Decide on a New Domain Name: Choose a domain name that’s not only aligned with your brand but is also easy to remember, spell, and type.
  2. Check Domain Availability: Use domain registration platforms to check if your desired domain name is available.
  3. Inform Your Customers: Communicate the upcoming change to your customers to avoid confusion.
  4. Back Up Your Store: Although changing your domain isn’t directly related to your store's data, it’s always wise to back up your store as a precautionary measure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Shopify URL

Changing your Shopify store's URL involves altering your primary domain. Here’s how you can do it:

Adding and Setting Up a Custom Domain

  1. Purchase a Custom Domain: You can buy a domain through Shopify or a third-party provider. Purchasing via Shopify simplifies the setup process as it automatically connects your domain to your store.
  2. Connect Your Custom Domain to Shopify: If you’ve purchased your domain through a third-party provider, you’ll need to manually connect it to Shopify. This involves updating DNS settings like pointing your A record to Shopify’s IP address (23.227.38.65) and your www CNAME record to ‘shops.myshopify.com’.
  3. Set Your Custom Domain as Primary: In your Shopify admin, under ‘Domains’, set your newly added custom domain as the primary domain. This action redirects all traffic from your old ‘.myshopify.com’ domain to your new custom domain.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Email Settings: If your domain provider offers email services, remember to set up email forwarding to keep your business communications smooth.
  • SSL Certificates: Shopify automatically provides SSL certificates for your domains, ensuring your store remains secure after the change.

Safeguarding Your SEO

Changing your store’s URL can affect your SEO rankings temporarily. However, with meticulous planning, you can minimize the impact:

  1. Implement 301 Redirects: Ensure that all old URLs are redirected to the new ones to retain your SEO juice and provide a seamless user experience.
  2. Update External Links: If possible, update links pointing to your site from other websites, social media, and marketing materials.
  3. Inform Google: Use Google Search Console to inform Google about your domain change. This helps Google reindex your site more quickly.

Conclusion

Changing your Shopify store’s URL to a custom domain is a pivotal step in your brand's online journey. It not only enhances your professional image but also contributes to better brand recognition and trust with your customers. Following the steps outlined in this guide will ensure a smooth transition, allowing you to reap the benefits of a brand-aligned URL without derailing your store's existing SEO success.

FAQs

Can I change my Shopify URL back to the old one if I change my mind?

Yes, you can switch back to your old URL by setting it as the primary domain again in your Shopify admin.

Will changing my Shopify store’s URL affect my store's data?

No, changing your store’s URL doesn’t directly affect your store's data, but it’s always good practice to back up your store periodically.

How long does it take for the new domain to become active?

It can take up to 48 hours for your new domain to become fully active and for DNS changes to propagate fully.

Do I need to close my store during the domain change?

No, your store can remain open. Shopify’s seamless process ensures there’s no downtime.

Embracing a custom domain for your Shopify store opens a new chapter for your brand online. Armed with this guide, you’re now ready to make that leap confidently, ensuring your store’s URL not only matches your brand identity but also paves the way for greater success and recognition in the digital marketplace.

Shopify - App Stack