How to Change Your Domain on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Importance of a Great Domain Name for Your Shopify Store
  3. Preparing to Change Your Shopify Domain
  4. How to Add or Change Your Shopify Domain
  5. Why Change Your Shopify Domain?
  6. Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting
  7. Conclusion

Introduction

Imagine waking up one morning to find that the perfect domain name for your Shopify store has finally come to you. A name so catchy, so unique, that it's bound to attract more visitors and convert them into loyal customers. But there's just one little snag: you've already set up your store with a different domain. What do you do? Is it even possible to change your Shopify domain after you've already chosen one? Yes, it certainly is, and this guide is here to show you exactly how to do it. From the importance of choosing the right domain name for your brand to the step-by-step process of making the change in Shopify, we'll cover it all. So if the idea of changing your Shopify domain has been daunting, worry no more. Let's dive into how you can seamlessly give your online store the perfect address it deserves.

The Importance of a Great Domain Name for Your Shopify Store

A strong domain name is not just a formality; it's a cornerstone of your brand's online identity. It can make or break your online store's first impression, affecting everything from brand recall to SEO. A memorable, brand-reflective domain name enhances credibility, builds trust, and can significantly contribute to your store's overall success.

Preparing to Change Your Shopify Domain

Before diving into the technical process, it's crucial to be well-prepared. Here are some preparatory steps:

  • Choose Your New Domain Carefully: Make sure it’s relevant to your brand, easy to spell, and as short as possible.
  • Check For Availability: Use domain registration platforms to ensure your desired domain name is available.
  • Consider Buying Directly from Shopify: Purchasing your domain through Shopify simplifies the setup process, as Shopify automatically configures your new domain.

How to Add or Change Your Shopify Domain

Changing your domain on Shopify involves adding a new domain and setting it as your primary domain. There are two main routes you can take: purchasing a domain directly from Shopify or connecting an existing domain purchased from an external registrar.

Buying a New Domain Through Shopify

  1. Log Into Shopify Admin: Go to 'Online Store' and select 'Domains'.
  2. Select ‘Buy New Domain’: Enter the desired domain in the search box to check availability.
  3. Complete The Purchase: Choose your domain and proceed with the purchase. Remember, domain names bought through Shopify are automatically set up and configured.

Adding an External Domain to Shopify

  1. Prepare Your Domain: Ensure that you have access to your domain's DNS settings on your registrar's platform.
  2. Connect Your Domain in Shopify Admin: In the 'Domains' section, choose 'Connect existing domain' and enter your domain name.
  3. Update DNS Settings: Point your A record to Shopify's IP address (23.227.38.32) and your CNAME record to shops.myshopify.com. This process redirects your domain to your Shopify store.
  4. Verify Connection: It may take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate throughout the internet. Once Shopify verifies the connection, your domain is successfully linked.

Setting Your Primary Domain

Once your new domain is added, you need to make it your primary domain:

  1. In the 'Domains’ section of Shopify Admin, find your newly added domain.
  2. Click ‘Change primary domain’.
  3. Select your new domain and save the changes.

Congratulations! Your Shopify store now has a new address.

Why Change Your Shopify Domain?

Businesses evolve, and so do brand identities. Changing your domain can be a strategic move to better align your online store with your brand’s current positioning, enhance SEO, or make your domain more customer-friendly.

Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting

  • Can I Change My Shopify Domain More Than Once? Yes, as long as you own or purchase the domain, you can change it as needed.

  • How Long Does It Take for The Domain Change to Reflect? DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate worldwide.

  • What Happens to My Old Domain? It's a good practice to keep your old domain and set up redirects to your new domain to avoid losing traffic.

  • Will Changing My Domain Affect My SEO? Initially, it may. It's crucial to set up 301 redirects from your old domain to your new one to preserve SEO rankings.

Conclusion

Changing your Shopify domain need not be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly transition your Shopify store to a new domain that better represents your brand. Remember, consistency across all your brand elements, including your domain name, plays a key role in building and maintaining a strong brand identity. So, take the leap, secure that perfect domain, and watch as your Shopify store reaches new heights.

Moving your online presence to a new domain is an opportunity to rejuvenate your brand and refine your online identity. With this guide, you now have the knowledge and tools at your disposal to navigate this change smoothly and successfully.

App Stack