Streamline Your Brand Identity: How to Change Domain Name on Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Shopify Domains
  3. Changing Your Domain Name on Shopify
  4. SEO Implications and Managing Redirects
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ Section

Introduction

Crafting a solid brand identity in the competitive e-commerce landscape is key, and sometimes, a brand's evolution necessitates a fundamental change like updating the domain name. Imagine finding a moniker that reflects your brand ethos more sharply or considering a rebrand that requires a domain shift. If you're on Shopify, an intuitive platform favored by aspiring and established e-commerce players, changing your domain name might seem daunting. Yet, with clear instruction and understanding of the platform, it can be a smooth transition. This blog post aims to demystify the process of changing your Shopify domain name, ensuring your online shop resonates with your brand's current trajectory and customer expectations.

As we delve into this guide, expect crisp, actionable information that answers your pressing queries on domain revision within the Shopify universe. We'll explore the steps to introduce a new primary domain, the implications for your branding and SEO efforts, and how to point customers old and new towards your newly-named digital doorstep, ensuring consistency and a seamless user experience.

Understanding Shopify Domains

When you sign up with Shopify, your default web address looks something like yourstorename.myshopify.com. While this gets you started on the platform, it isn't the personalized brand beacon most businesses strive for. Custom domains not only leverage your brand name but also imprint professionalism and trustworthiness in the consumer's mind.

Changing your domain in Shopify doesn't equate to altering the original .myshopify.com URL used for login and administrative purposes. It involves adding a new, more brand-centric domain that you set as the primary. This address is what your customers will see and associate with your online presence.

Changing Your Domain Name on Shopify

Purchasing and Adding a New Domain

If you don't already have a custom domain, Shopify provides a straightforward path to purchasing one directly through the platform:

  1. Navigate to the ‘Online Store’ and select ‘Domains’ in your Shopify admin.
  2. Click on ‘Buy new domain’.
  3. Type in your chosen domain name and peruse available extensions, such as .com, .shop, .net, etc.
  4. Confirm your payment details and make sure to select additional options like WHOIS Privacy where necessary.

Remember that domain purchases may take up to 48 hours to become active, and you own the domain even if you decide to leave Shopify.

Connecting an Existing Domain

Should you already boast a domain from another provider, connecting it to your Shopify store is your next move:

  1. Head over to ‘Domains’ in the Shopify admin.
  2. Click on ‘Connect existing domain’.
  3. Enter your domain details and follow prompts to update your DNS records. This usually involves pointing your ‘A record’ to Shopify’s IP address – 23.227.38.32 – and your ‘CNAME record’ to shops.myshopify.com.

Completion time for these DNS changes ranges from 48 to 72 hours across the internet.

Making Your New Domain Primary

Once your domain is connected or purchased and has propagated:

  1. In your Shopify admin, go to ‘Settings’ and click ‘Domains’.
  2. You’ll see an ‘Enable as primary’ option next to your domain. Click it.
  3. Your online store will now display this chosen domain to incoming customers, consolidating your brand's digital identity.

SEO Implications and Managing Redirects

Altering your domain does not have to compromise your hard-earned SEO traction. Here’s a crucial to-do list to maintain your SEO:

  • Implement 301 redirects from your old domain(s) to the new one to retain search engine rankings and inform Google of the change.
  • Update all backlinks including those from marketing and ad materials, social profiles, partner sites, and any content that holds the old domain.
  • Set up an informative landing page that announces the rebrand for those accidentally stumbling upon the old domain.
  • Mitigate customer confusion by announcing your new domain across your newsletter, social media channels, and press releases if necessary.

Taking these measures ensures that while your brand adopts a fresh facade with a new domain name, the core SEO essentials and brand reputation remain undamaged.

Conclusion

A domain name shift on Shopify can be more than a mere technical exercise; it’s a rebirth for your brand’s online manifestation, aligning it with your vision. Consistency and clarity in your messaging tied with a strategic SEO salvage plan fortify the bridge between the old and the new, ensuring no customer is left behind in the transition. Through careful planning and execution, your navigational refresh can lead to richer customer relationships and an invigorated brand identity.

FAQ Section

Q: Will changing my Shopify domain affect my login details? A: No, your login details remain tied to your original .myshopify.com even after a domain change.

Q: Can I have multiple domains linked to my Shopify store? A: Yes, Shopify allows you to have one primary domain and multiple secondary domains that redirect to your primary one.

Q: How often can I change my primary domain on Shopify? A: As often as needs require, but frequent changes aren't recommended as they can confuse customers and destabilize your SEO efforts.

Q: How long does it take for a new domain to activate on Shopify? A: Domain purchases through Shopify can take up to 48 hours to activate, although this can vary.

Q: Is my Shopify domain tied to the platform even if I leave? A: Once you purchase a domain through Shopify, it belongs to you, and you retain ownership even if you move on from Shopify.

App Stack