Simplify Your Shopify Experience: How to Change URL in Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify URLs
3. Additional Steps
4. FAQ Section
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Have you just set up your online store and realized that the URL isn't quite what you had in mind? Or perhaps your business is undergoing a rebrand, and you want the storefront's URL to reflect the new image. Whatever your reasons might be, changing the URL of your Shopify store doesn't have to be a daunting task. Today, we bring to you a comprehensive guide on how to change the URL in Shopify, ensuring your store aligns perfectly with the vision and mission of your brand.

In this post, we'll cover the essentials of managing your online store's presence, including the primary domain, the significance of a well-thought-out URL, and clear, step-by-step instructions on making the necessary alterations. We aim to equip you with the knowledge to effortlessly navigate through the backend of your Shopify account, letting your store shine with a URL that suits your business best.

Understanding Shopify URLs

Your Shopify store essentially has two key components concerning URLs: the actual store name that customers see and the technical domain name or URL, which could take the form your-store-name.myshopify.com or a custom domain like www.example.com.

The main aspects to consider are: - Primary Domain: This is the main address your customers use to find your online store. - myshopify.com URL: A default domain provided by Shopify, primarily used for store administration. - Custom Domain: An individually purchased domain that makes your store appear more professional and brand-centric.

Changing Your Shopify Store's Primary Domain

Changing your Shopify store’s primary domain is an effortless procedure. It involves the following steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings, then click on Domains.
3. If you’re adding a new custom domain, choose either to transfer one you own or buy a new one through Shopify. Connect it following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once your new domain is ready, set it as your primary domain by clicking ‘Change primary domain’ and selecting the desired domain.

Consequences on SEO

When tweaking a URL, it's important not to overlook Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Changing URLs can potentially break old links and affect your store's search engine rankings. To minimize disruptions, always set up proper 301 redirects, update all external links pointing to your store, and ensure Google is aware of your URL changes through the Webmaster Tools.

Customizing Beyond the URL

Altering your domain name might inspire a change in other elements of your brand presentation to ensure consistency. Examining and refreshing your site's content, logo, meta descriptions, and imagery to align with your new URL could greatly improve the cohesion and effectiveness of your brand message.

Additional Steps

While the store's domain is crucial, let's not forget other URLs in your Shopify experience, including product page URLs. Changing a product page URL might be necessary for a variety of reasons, like improving SEO-ranking or when updating product details. Here's the short path:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
2. Go to Products, and select the product you wish to edit.
3. Scroll down to ‘Search engine listing preview’ and click ‘Edit website SEO’.
4. Update the ‘URL handle’ field with the desired URL path.
5. Click Save.

Remember that for SEO best practices, you should avoid frequently changing URLs and always set up redirects from the old to the new addresses.

FAQ Section

Q: Is it possible to use a non-Shopify domain for my Shopify store? A: Absolutely. You can purchase and use a third-party domain instead of the default myshopify.com domain. This enhances your branding and makes your shop more memorable to customers.

Q: Can I have multiple domains pointing to my Shopify store? A: Yes, Shopify allows you to have multiple domains. However, only one can be the primary domain that your storefront defaults to.

Q: Will changing my product page URL affect current SEO rankings? A: If handled incorrectly, yes. Setting up 301 redirects from the old to the new URL will help preserve your SEO rankings.

Q: How often can I change my Shopify store’s domain name? A: There's no hard limit, but consider your customers' experience and the SEO impact before frequent changes. Be strategic and deliberate when choosing to change your domain name.

Q: After updating my URL, how can I update my customers? A: Communicate the change through newsletters, social media updates, or even a banner on your website informing visitors of the update.

Conclusion

Changing your Shopify store's URL might indeed feel technical, but once you understand how vital a relevant and identifiable web presence is, such tweaks become another tool for business growth. Including your well-defined store domain within your broader brand strategy will ensure an online identity that is consistent, credible, and easy for your customers to remember and trust.

Now that you're equipped with the necessary steps and precautions, you're ready to proceed confidently. Your Shopify URL is more than just a web address—it's the digital gateway to your brand. Make it count.