Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Removing a Third-Party Domain
- Removing a Shopify-Managed Domain
- Important Considerations
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Imagine this: you've successfully set up your Shopify store, your products are listed, and everything seems to be running smoothly. But then, for one reason or another, you decide to change your domain name or switch domain providers. Maybe you've found a domain that better suits your brand, or perhaps you're consolidating your online properties. Suddenly, you're faced with a task that might seem daunting at first—removing your old domain from your Shopify store.
The process of changing domain names is more common than you might think and can significantly impact your brand's visibility and SEO. Whether you're looking to rebrand, upgrade to a more relevant domain name, or transfer ownership of your domain to a new owner, understanding how to correctly remove a domain from your Shopify store is crucial. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps of removing both third-party and Shopify-managed domains, delve into the considerations you should keep in mind to safeguard your SEO, and provide answers to frequently asked questions. Here's everything you need to know to make the transition as smooth and error-free as possible.
Removing a Third-Party Domain
When it’s time to say goodbye to a domain that no longer serves your Shopify store—whether it’s because you’ve sold the domain, changing your store's focus, or any other reason—removing it properly is critical. Here's how to detach a third-party domain from your Shopify store:
- Log into Your Shopify Admin Panel: The journey begins in the nerve center of your Shopify experience. Navigate to the 'Online Store' section, which is your gateway to domain management.
- Enter the Domains Section: Once inside the 'Online Store' tab, look for the 'Domains' option. This is where all your domains, both primary and third-party, are listed.
- Find Your Target Domain: Browse through the list of domains until you find the one you wish to remove.
- Select 'Delete Domain': Next to your chosen domain, you'll find a '...' button. Clicking this will bring up a menu with the option to 'Delete domain'.
- Confirm Your Decision: A pop-up will ask you if you’re sure about removing the domain. Click 'Delete' to confirm.
If the domain you're trying to remove still has an active subscription with the third-party provider (for example, GoDaddy), you may first need to contact their support team to release the domain. Once the domain is released and no longer attached to any active subscriptions, you can proceed with deletion from the Shopify side.
Removing a Shopify-Managed Domain
Removing a domain directly managed by Shopify involves a slightly different process, mainly because these domains can also be fully deleted with the help of Shopify’s support team if necessary:
- Disable Auto Renew: Before anything else, ensure that the auto-renew option for your domain is turned off in your Shopify admin under ‘Online Store > Domains > Manage’.
- Disconnect the Domain: After ensuring auto-renew is off, it’s time to disconnect your domain from directing customers to your Shopify store. This can be done by adjusting the DNS settings, letting you remove the CNAME records and changing the A record to 0.0.0.0.
- Contact Support for Full Removal: If you wish to completely remove a Shopify-managed domain (meaning you intend not to use it anymore or want to transfer it to a different platform), contact Shopify support to assist you with this final step.
Important Considerations
When removing a domain from your Shopify store, it's essential to consider the SEO implications. Swiftly changing or removing domains without proper redirection can lead to broken links, which negatively impact your search engine rankings. For domains that you still own, setting up redirects to your new domain can help preserve your SEO authority and ensure that visitors and customers find their way to your new storefront.
Furthermore, remember that your original .myshopify.com domain cannot be removed or transferred, as it's pivotal for account identification and login purposes. However, you are permitted a one-time change if you wish to select a new .myshopify.com domain that better reflects your brand while retaining the original for administrative access.
FAQ Section
Q: Will removing a domain from my Shopify store affect my email setup? A: Yes, if your email was set up through your domain provider, removing the domain could affect your email service. It’s advisable to set up email forwarding or make necessary adjustments with your new domain provider to maintain email continuity.
Q: Can I transfer my Shopify-managed domain to another Shopify store? A: Absolutely. You can transfer a Shopify-managed domain to another store by first preparing it for transfer within your domain settings then finalizing the transfer from the receiving store’s admin panel.
Q: How long does it take for domain removal to take effect? A: Changes can sometimes take up to 48 hours to propagate fully across the internet. However, the removal process in the Shopify admin is immediate once confirmed.
Q: Is it possible to remove a domain if my Shopify store is closed? A: If your store is closed and you wish to remove a domain, you'll likely need Shopify Support's assistance. It's best to address domain concerns before closing your store to ensure a smoother transition.
Q: Will removing a domain from Shopify delete my DNS settings? A: Removing a domain from Shopify will prevent it from directing traffic to your Shopify store, but it doesn't delete your DNS settings. These adjustments need to be made with your domain provider.
Conclusion
Transforming your Shopify store by changing or removing domains is an intricate process that must be handled with care to avoid disruptions to your operations and SEO penalties. Whether you’re dealing with a third-party or Shopify-managed domain, following the steps outlined in this guide will ensure that the change is made smoothly and efficiently. As always, Shopify support is there to assist with any hurdles you might encounter along the way.
