Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Consider Changing Your Shopify Domain?
- Purchasing and Adding a New Shopify Domain
- Changing Your Shopify Store's Primary Domain
- Managing SEO and Brand Visibility Post-Domain Change
- Conclusion
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Have you ever considered the impact that a website's domain name has on its business identity? The right domain can represent your brand accurately, improve search engine rankings, and ensure your online presence is unique. For Shopify store owners, customizing the domain name stands as an essential step in aligning the digital storefront with their brand. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into how to change your domain name on Shopify easily. Whether you're rebranding, seeking a more professional URL, or just starting out, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to customize and change your primary domain on the Shopify platform. Let's dive into the process of tailoring a web address that resonates with your brand and captivates your customer base.
Why Consider Changing Your Shopify Domain?
Initially, Shopify grants you a default domain that contains 'myshopify' in its URL, which may not wholly stand out in a customer's mind and occasionally could be hard to remember. Opting for a custom domain name can significantly impact your brand identity and user experience. Shifting to a unique domain ensures that you are easily identifiable, potentially improves your search engine optimization (SEO), and enhances the professionalism of your e-commerce venture.
Purchasing and Adding a New Shopify Domain
Buying a Shopify domain
Acquiring a custom domain through Shopify is straightforward. Access your Shopify admin, navigate to the 'Online Store' section, and select 'Domains'. Here you can buy a new domain directly. The beauty of this approach lies in Shopify auto-configuring the domain, saving you from the daunting task of setting up DNS records.
Steps for Acquisition:
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Click 'Online Store' and select 'Domains'.
- Choose 'Buy new domain'.
- Fill in your desired domain name and review available extensions.
- Finalize your purchase and wait for the setup, which takes as little as 48 hours.
Purchasing through Shopify has the upside of simplicity, but keep in mind that this does not include email hosting, although you can set up email forwarding or pair it with external email service providers.
Linking an External Domain
If you've purchased a domain outside of Shopify, connect it by updating your DNS settings to point to Shopify's servers.
External Domain Connectivity Steps:
- In the Domains section of your Shopify admin, select 'Connect existing domain'.
- Enter the domain you're incorporating.
- Modify the DNS settings at your domain registrar's webpage. Set the A record to Shopify's IP address (23.227.38.32) and CNAME record to
shops.myshopify.com. - Enable the changes, which may take 48 to 72 hours to propagate across the internet.
Changing Your Shopify Store's Primary Domain
Once you own multiple domains, it's time to designate your primary domain—the main address your customers will use. Here's how to transition to your chosen domain effectively within Shopify.
Seamless Changeover Steps:
- Go back to the 'Domains' section in your Shopify admin.
- Locate the 'Change primary domain' option and select it.
- From the available domains, pick the one you intend to set as primary and save your choice.
Remember, once you set a new primary domain, all other domains will seamlessly redirect to it. This way, even if customers remember your old URL, they'll still land on your new site. Moreover, this does not disrupt your SEO efforts as Shopify creates 301 redirects automatically.
Managing SEO and Brand Visibility Post-Domain Change
A domain shift demands attention to SEO practices. As you don't want to squander the SEO equity you’ve built, employing 301 redirects is vital. This permanent change signal to search engines makes sure that links to your former domain translate to link equity for your new one. But if Shopify has this covered, what else should you do?
- Announce your change in domain through every communication channel available, such as email newsletters, social media, and blog posts, if applicable.
- Update your marketing materials, ad campaigns, and any external links to reflect your new domain.
- Consider a landing page dedicated to informing visitors of the store's transformation. Regularly monitor your traffic and search engine rankings to assess the impact of the domain change.
Conclusion
Changing your Shopify store's domain name, while seemingly a small digital housekeeping detail, can be a profound pivot in establishing your brand's identity. Remember that showcasing a cohesive brand starts from the very URL your customers type into their browsers. Through careful planning and implementation of a domain change, you create a strong foundation for achieving an effective and memorable online presence. Use the above guidelines to navigate your course through a successful domain transformation and bolster your Shopify store's digital footprint.
FAQ Section
Q: What is the primary domain on Shopify? A: The primary domain is the main URL that customers use to visit your store. It is the address they'll see in their browser's address bar.
Q: How can I purchase a new domain on Shopify? Buy a domain within your Shopify admin under the 'Domains' section. Choose 'Buy new domain' and follow the prompts to complete the purchase.
Q: Can I connect a domain I bought outside Shopify?
A: Yes, you can connect an external domain by updating your DNS settings to point to Shopify's servers. Adjust the A record to 23.227.38.32 (Shopify's IP) and the CNAME to shops.myshopify.com.
Q: Will changing my Shopify domain affect my SEO? A: Changing the domain will affect SEO, but you can minimize this by setting up 301 redirects which Shopify does automatically and updating all internal and external links.
Q: Could I have more than one domain for my Shopify store? A: Yes, you can have multiple domains, but only one can be set as the primary. Others will automatically redirect to the primary domain.
Remember, every successful brand evolution brings an opportunity for growth and rejuvenation. Tailor your Shopify domain to your brand narrative today and watch as your digital doors open to limitless possibilities.