Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Importance of a Domain Name
- Before You Begin: Preparations and Pre-requisites
- Changing Your Shopify Domain Name
- After Changing Your Domain
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Imagine your business growing exponentially online, but your domain name doesn't truly reflect your brand's essence anymore. Or perhaps, your initial domain name was a quick decision that now seems a tad off-brand. Changing your domain name might seem like a daunting task filled with technical complexities. Yet, it's a strategic move that can significantly align your online presence with your brand identity and improve customer recall. Today, we're diving deep into the process of how you can change your domain name on Shopify - a platform renowned for its robustness, yet simplicity in handling e-commerce ventures. By the end of this article, not only will you grasp the steps required to make this change but also understand the strategic nuances involved, making this seemingly technical endeavor a strategic growth lever for your business.
Understanding the Importance of a Domain Name
A domain name is not just an address to your online store; it is an integral part of your brand's identity in the digital world. It's the first thing your customers will remember and search for online. Therefore, it should be intuitive, resonate with your brand, and be easy to remember. Shopify, as a platform, offers the flexibility to change your domain name, ensuring that your digital presence grows and evolves with your business.
Before You Begin: Preparations and Pre-requisites
Before embarking on the journey to change your domain name on Shopify, there are a few preparatory steps you need to undertake:
- Select a New Domain Name: Your new domain name should be reflective of your brand, easy to spell and remember, and ideally contain keywords relevant to your business for SEO purposes.
- Check Availability: Use domain name search tools to ensure your chosen domain name is available. Remember, domain names are unique, so your first choice might already be taken.
- Purchase the Domain: You can buy your domain directly from Shopify or from third-party domain registrars. Purchasing from Shopify eases the setup process, although you may find different pricing options with other registrars.
Changing Your Shopify Domain Name
Step 1: Adding Your New Domain to Shopify
After purchasing your new domain, the first action is to add it to your Shopify store. This process differs slightly depending on whether you've purchased the domain from Shopify or a third-party provider:
- For Shopify Purchased Domains: Automatically gets added to your Shopify store.
- For Third-Party Domains: You'll need to connect your domain by adjusting the DNS settings to point to Shopify's servers and then add it through your Shopify admin panel.
Step 2: Setting Your New Domain as Primary
Once your new domain is added and verified, setting it as the primary domain is crucial. This ensures that your customers are directed to the new domain when searching for your store online. The steps are straightforward and can be executed from the 'Domains' section in your Shopify admin.
Step 3: Updating Your DNS Settings
For third-party domains, you'd need to update your DNS records:
- Point your A record to Shopify’s IP address (23.227.38.32).
- Set your 'www' CNAME record to point to
shops.myshopify.com. This re-directs traffic from your old domain to your new one seamlessly.
After Changing Your Domain
Post domain change, a few considerations need to be addressed:
- Redirect Your Old Domain: Ensuring that customers who use your old domain name end up at your new address is essential for a smooth transition.
- Update Your SEO: Changing your domain can temporarily affect your search engine rankings, so it’s vital to update your SEO settings and inform Google about your new domain.
- Notify Your Customers: Use your marketing channels to inform your customers about the change to keep them in the loop.
FAQs
What Happens to My Old Shopify Domain?
Your original .myshopify.com domain will still function as a secondary domain. It's primarily used for logging into your admin panel and cannot be removed or changed.
Can I Use Multiple Domains with My Shopify Store?
Yes, Shopify allows you to add multiple domains and subdomains to your store, but you can only set one primary domain.
How Long Does the Domain Change Process Take?
The process of adding and verifying your new domain is usually instant, especially if bought from Shopify. However, DNS changes for third-party domains can take 24-48 hours to propagate across the internet.
Will Changing My Domain Name Affect My Store’s SEO?
There might be a temporary impact on your SEO rankings after the domain change. However, proper redirects and updating your site’s information on search engines can mitigate this impact.
Can I Change My .myshopify.com URL?
The .myshopify.com URL provided during signup is permanent and cannot be altered. However, this is only for administrative purposes, and your customers will see your custom domain.
Conclusion
Changing your domain name on Shopify is a strategic move that can significantly affect your brand's online presence. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you're set to make the transition smooth and hassle-free. Remember, your domain name is a direct reflection of your brand in the digital marketplace. Make it count.
