Want to change the name of your Shopify domain but don’t know how to do it? We’ve got your back.
When you set up a store on Shopify, it automatically creates a generic domain name (XYZ. myshopify.com) for your store. Even your customers see the same URL when they visit your site.
And the result?
It affects your brand authority and credibility by mixing up your store with other generic Shopify shops.
Thus, it’s always a smart move to change this Shopify domain and go for something new. This article will cover the two main ways that you can follow to change your Shopify domain. Not only that, but we will also explain which way you should choose and why.
So, stick with us till the end to know more!
Considerations Before Choosing A Domain Name
As changing the domain name boosts your brand authority, it can also have a negative impact if not done strategically. Thus, here we have mentioned some tips that would help you choose the perfect domain name for your store.
- Choose A Keyword-Rich Domain That Aligns With Your Brand
You want to boost your authority by adding a brand-oriented domain. But what if it’s not searched? What if you don’t get visibility to your potential customers?
Thus, focus on keywords you are trying to rank for – align them with your brand identity, and then come up with a domain name. It’ll take a few days or even weeks, but it will be 100% worth it.
- Make It Simple And Easy To Pronounce
If your domain has tons of friction, like slang, hyphens, and numbers, it would be difficult for your customers to remember your store. It not only hinders the UX but also hampers Word-of-Mouth Marketing.
Thus, keep it short (6-14 characters), simple and memorable.
- Try To Go For .com Extensions
If you look carefully, most of the trusted websites go for “.com” extensions. While you can find other extensions like “.shop” and “.org,” at the same time, they might seem unprofessional to most people.
Now, If the “.com” extension is not available, go for “.co” and “.org.” They look quite decent.
- Keep It Unique
Most brands make this mistake – they try to copy some big brands and try to create similar domains.
This technique not only spoils their brand authority but also fails to create long-lasting impressions among their customers. That’s why we highly advise you not to copy giant brands but rather come up with something unique that attracts customers and portrays your brand voice.
- Keep It Scalable
Always create a domain with your business growth in mind.
For example, you have a cloth store, and you want to scale it further by adding a shoe collection to it. Thus, creating a “cloth-oriented” domain won’t be sustainable, and you will have to change your domain again. Thus, think about your long-term vision and create a domain accordingly.
Now, let’s check how you can change your Shopify Domain –
There are two main ways that you can consider while changing your Shopify domain name.
- Buy a new domain name through Shopify
- Connect with your existing domain
First, we’ll guide you on how you can purchase a domain name through Shopify –
Buy A New Domain Name From Shopify
It is the easiest way to change your domain name. No matter if you are on your Shopify App (Android/iOS) or your Shopify admin website, you can purchase a domain name without any technical hassles by following the step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Log in to your Shopify store and click on “Settings,” which you’ll find in the left-hand bottom corner.
Step 2: Then, choose Domains from the left-hand sidebar menu.
Step 3: Next, you’ll get two options: Buy New Domain & Connect the existing domain.
Click on “Buy New Domain.”
Step 4: Enter the domain you want to buy and check its availability. You can also go further and review other domain extensions and their prices.
Step 5: Once decided, click “Buy.”
Step 6: Review the personal information and checkout details.
Step 7: Complete your purchase.
That’s it! You have successfully purchased a domain through Shopify. Once the purchase is done, you’ll receive multiple emails regarding confirming the purchase and verifying the email address. So, go to your inbox and review them properly.
Note: It’ll take almost 48 hrs for your new domain to start working. However, if you have any other domain added to your store, the new domain will automatically get redirected to the primary one.
Connect With An Existing Domain
Now, if you already own a domain from third-party providers like GoDaddy or Google Domains and want to connect it with your Shopify store, follow the below-mentioned process:
Step 1: Log in to your Shopify Dashboard. Then click on Settings > Domains.
Step 2: Click on “Connect existing domain.”
Set 3: Enter the domain you want to connect and click “Next.”
Step 4: Change the DNS record. To do this, log in to your providers’ dashboard and change the following:
- Point the A record to the Shopify IP address.
- Point the CNAME record to shops. myshopify.com.
- Delete other A records if there are any.
Save all the changes.
Step 6: Now, click “Verify Connection” to ensure the domain is connected correctly.
Note: It’ll also take 48 hrs for the domain to get verified. You can check it from the third-party domain section on the Domain Page.
Buying Domain From Shopify Vs Connecting a Domain From Third-Party Providers: Which One Should You Choose?
Here comes the million-dollar question – Should you buy a domain from Shopify or third-party providers?
Well, none of them comes with absolute perfection. Both have some advantages and disadvantages, and you should be aware of them before spending your money.
However, if you purchase a domain from Shopify, it has tons of benefits like –
- seamless set-up process
- Some domain extensions come with WHOIS privacy that secures your personal contact information from public domain registration records.
- You don’t need to bother yourself with technical hassles like coding
- Customer support
- Ease of configuration
The main disadvantage you can face with a Shopify-managed domain is it doesn’t provide email hosting service. Thus, you’ll have to rely on any third-party email hosting services. Apart from that, the prices of Shopify-managed domain is a bit higher than other third-party providers available in the market.
Now, the only advantage that comes with third-party domains is they are cost-effective; otherwise, from setting DNS records to managing unexpected disruptions, you’ll have to manage everything on your own.
Thus, it’s up to you!
If you want to save some extra bucks in your pocket, go for third-party providers. But if you want to save time and enjoy a seamless domain setting, a Shopify-managed domain should be your first choice.
How To Change The Primary Shopify Domain Name?
Let’s assume you have already bought or connected a new domain with your site, and you want to set it as your primary domain.
However, in most of the cases, the new domain is automatically redirected as the primary domain. But to ensure it, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to your store and click on “settings” > “Domains.”
Step 2: Under the domain section, you’ll find all the domains connected to your store. If it’s not set by default, tap on it.
Step 3: Then click on “Set as primary.”
As simple as that. It’ll take less than a minute to set your new domain as a primary one.
More On Shopify:
Final Words: Connect Your Shopify Store To An Existing Domain To Change The Domain Name
Changing your Shopify domain is surely a smart move to set yourself apart from the crowd. By following the step-by-step methods (mentioned in this article), you’ll easily change your Shopify domain without any technical hassles.
But remember, changing the Shopify domain might impact the SEO. Thus, set up 301 redirects and update everything, including social media, blogs, and newsletters, to ensure your SEO is intact.
However, if you have any other issues regarding it, do let us know.
FAQs:
When you set up a store on Shopify, it generates a very basic common domain (xyz. myshopify.com) for your store that might hinder your business credibility in the long run. Thus, you need to have a custom domain for your store.
Shopify doesn’t charge one single penny for changing domain names. But you have to pay the charges if you want to buy a domain from Shopify ( $15 -$33/year) or from other third-party providers.
Buying a domain through Shopify is undoubtedly a better choice than buying from third-party providers. If you buy from Shopify, it might cost you extra, but it saves you from technical hassles.
