In 2025, to stand out on Shopify, you need a strong Shopify domain — not just great products. This is your store’s website address that customers type into their browser, Google ranks in its search results, and — crucially — it’s where your email marketing campaigns originate.
Memorable Shopify domain names build brand recognition, while a branded email address improves your marketing performance with better deliverability and trust among customers.
Join us below as we cover Shopify domain search, purchasing, connecting third-party domains, changing primary domains, and integrating with email marketing tools.
Integrate Omnisend with your Shopify domain for an upgraded experience
Every Shopify store gets a free domain that follows the yourstore.myshopify.com format. The default domain works perfectly for testing your store before launch.
A custom domain name on Shopify, like yourbrand.com, replaces that default address and creates a professional storefront. Custom Shopify domains signal credibility to customers and enable branded email addresses for marketing platforms like Omnisend, improving email deliverability and trust.
How to connect a third-party domain to Shopify
A third-party domain means you bought your domain from a registrar other than Shopify and need to connect it.
Popular domain providers include:
GoDaddy — offers automatic Shopify connection
Namecheap — provides Shopify DNS templates
Hostinger — requires manual DNS record updates
Connecting your GoDaddy domain
GoDaddy offers automatic domain connection, but you can manually configure DNS if needed. Here’s how to connect a GoDaddy domain to Shopify:
Log into your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio and select your domain
Here are common issues you might face when connecting third-party domains to Shopify:
DNS propagation delays: Changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, so your domain may not connect immediately
Domain already connected error: If you see “This domain is already connected to another Shopify store,” you need to verify domain ownership first
Domain verification requirements: Shopify may require a TXT record verification to confirm ownership, especially as an additional security measure
Connection incomplete warnings: It’s normal to see “Domain connection incomplete” messages since some providers take longer to verify the connection
Shopify domain search: How to find the perfect name
You probably already have a few ideas for your Shopify domain. But before you pull the trigger, it’s worth exploring all available options to find the best match for your business. A good place to start your Shopify domain search is its search tool.
What is the Shopify domain search tool?
Shopify’s built-in domain search tool checks availability instantly when you enter store names or keywords. The tool displays available domains with different extensions and suggests alternatives if your first choice isn’t available.
How to use Shopify domain search
Navigate to Shopify’s domain search page and type your business name or keywords. Results show immediately with extensions like .com, .store, and .shop alongside availability status.
Here’s an example:
Image via Shopify
Browse the results and identify domains that align with your brand identity. Check the pricing, then add it to your cart for purchase.
If you have a Shopify plan, purchase completion triggers domain configuration for your store, and the technical setup happens behind the scenes.
Tips for choosing the best Shopify domain name
Follow these pointers to pick a fantastic Shopify domain name for your business:
Keep it short
Domains under 15 characters are easier for customers to remember, type correctly, and share with others via word-of-mouth recommendations.
Make it memorable
Catchy domains that roll off the tongue help customers remember your business name and return to your store more easily.
Stay relevant
Choose domains that relate to your current products but leave room for business expansion into new categories or markets.
Use trusted extensions
Extensions like .com, .store, and .shop signal legitimacy to customers who expect familiar domain endings from established businesses.
Check social media handle availability
Securing the same username everywhere prevents competitors from grabbing your brand name and confusing your potential customers.
Avoid trademark conflicts
Research existing trademarks before choosing your domain to prevent legal disputes and protect your business from costly rebranding efforts.
What if your desired domain is taken?
If your favorite domain for Shopify is unavailable, consider different domain endings like .store or .shop instead of .com. These alternatives often perform well for ecommerce businesses and better reflect your industry.
Try variations of your business name by adding descriptive words or rearranging the order. Shopify’s generator tool can suggest alternatives you might not have considered.
You could also contact the current owner about purchasing the domain, though this often costs significantly more than registration.
Domain SEO tips
Keywords in your domain won’t improve search rankings, but they can influence whether people click your link in results. People gravitate toward domains that mirror their search terms.
Easy-to-spell domains drive more direct visits and referrals than complex alternatives. Focus on domains people can type from memory rather than optimizing for search algorithms that no longer reward keyword-stuffed URLs.
How to buy a domain on Shopify (step-by-step guide)
Buying a domain on Shopify keeps your store and domain management in one dashboard instead of juggling multiple platforms.
Step-by-step: Buy a domain on Shopify
Log into your Shopify admin and navigate to Settings > Domains:
Image via Shopify
Click Buy new domain to access the search interface
Enter your preferred domain name in the search bar:
Image via Shopify
Review available extensions and their pricing options:
Image via Shopify
Click Buy next to your chosen domain and extension
Review the purchase summary and contact information:
Image via Shopify
Select auto-renewal if you want automatic yearly billing:
Image via Shopify
Choose your payment method and complete the purchase
Verify your email addresswithin 15 days to avoid suspension
What happens after you buy?
Your new domain automatically connects to your store without technical configuration. DNS settings become available if you need custom configurations for email marketing or other services.
Annual renewal charges appear separately from your Shopify subscription fees. Once your domain is live, you can connect your store to Omnisend to start sending branded emails, such as welcome series and abandoned cart flows, from your domain.
Choose branded domains over long, descriptive names since customers remember short, catchy URLs more easily than keyword-stuffed alternatives
Stick to .com, .store, or .shop extensions because customers trust familiar endings and type them automatically when guessing your address
Consider purchasing multiple variations to prevent competitors from using similar names that could confuse your customers or steal your traffic
How much does a Shopify domain cost?
Shopify domain pricing varies by extension, with the most popular options ranging from $9 to $33 annually for registration and renewal.
Here’s a pricing table for the most popular extensions:
Domain extension
Shopify price annually in USD
.store
$9
.shop
$10
.online
$11
.org
$15
.us
$15
.com
$16
.ca
$17
.net
$18
.info
$28
.co
$33
Additional fees and considerations
ICANN charges a small regulatory fee (typically under $1) that gets added to your domain cost. WHOIS privacy protection comes free with most extensions, though some country-specific domains don’t include this service. Check Shopify’s WHOIS exceptions list to find out more.
Domain renewals happen automatically if you enable auto-renewal during purchase. Shopify bills domain costs separately from your monthly subscription, so you’ll see them as distinct charges on your account.
How to change a Shopify domain name
You can change to a new primary domain anytime within your Shopify account.
The easiest way is to buy your new domain via Shopify so that your store connects to it automatically. Alternatively, you can buy it from any registrar and point it to your Shopify store.
How to set a new primary domain
Navigate to Settings > Domains in your Shopify admin:
Image via Shopify
Clickthe domain you want to make Primary to open its settings:
Image via Shopify
Select Change domain type from the options:
Image via Shopify
Choose Primary domain from the popup box:
Image via Shopify
Click Change domain type to save your selection — the popup will then close, and your new settings will show here:
Image via Shopify
Your new primary domain becomes the main address customers see in their browsers, and all other domains in your account automatically redirect to it.
How redirects work from an old to new domain
Shopify automatically creates 301 redirects from your old domain to the new primary domain when you make the switch.
Customers typing your old domain address get seamlessly redirected to the new URL without seeing error pages.
Your default myshopify.com domain and any other connected domains continue working, but redirect visitors to your new primary domain. You won’t lose traffic during the transition period.
SEO best practices when changing domains
Search engines need time to recognize your domain change, so expect temporary ranking fluctuations during the first few weeks after switching.
Add your new domain to Google Search Console and update your sitemap so Google can crawl your new address structure.
Keep an eye on your search performance during the first month after switching domains. If you’ve already integrated with tools like Omnisend, update your sender domain or verify the new one to maintain email deliverability.
Quick FAQs
Can I use multiple domains with one store?
Yes, you can connect multiple domains to one Shopify store, but only one serves as the primary domain that customers see.
Will my old domain still work after I change it?
Your old domain continues working with automatic redirects to your new primary domain so that customers won’t encounter broken links.
Transferring a domain name to Shopify
Moving your domain to Shopify gives you centralized management but requires preparation to avoid service interruptions during the transfer process.
Step-by-step transfer process
Connect your domain to Shopify first
Navigate to Settings > Domains and connect your domain to prevent downtime during transfer:
Image via Shopify
Unlock the domain at your current registrar
Log in to your domain provider and remove any transfer locks on your domain
Get the transfer authorization code
Request the EPP/authorization code from your current registrar, usually found in the domain settings
Start the transfer in the Shopify admin
Go to Settings > Domains > Transfer domain:
Image via Shopify
Enter your domain in the box:
Image via Shopify
Enter the authorization code
Input the EPP code from your registrar and verify the domain details:
Image via Shopify
Approve the charge
Review costs and contact information, then click Start transfer
Confirm via email
Check your email inbox for transfer approval messages and follow the instructions to complete
Important transfer restrictions
ICANN rules prevent domain transfers within 60 days of initial registration or registrant information changes. You cannot transfer newly registered domains or domains where you recently updated contact details, organization names, or email addresses.
Some registrars offer opt-outs from this protection period, but most enforce the 60-day waiting period to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Alternative option — connect instead of transferring
Consider keeping your domain with your current registrar and simply connecting it to Shopify with DNS settings.
With this method, you maintain your existing domain management while pointing traffic to Shopify, avoiding transfer restrictions, and keeping familiar renewal processes with your current provider. Click here for instructions.
Common Shopify domain issues and solutions
Domain connection problems usually stem from DNS configuration errors, propagation delays, or verification requirements that you can troubleshoot step-by-step.
Check for these Shopify domain issues during your initial setup:
Incorrect DNS configuration
Navigate to your domain provider’s DNS management area and verify that A records show 23.227.38.65 as the destination address. CNAME records should point to shops.myshopify.com for proper routing.
Delete any duplicate A or CNAME records that create conflicts, as only one of each record type should exist for your domain connection.
DNS propagation delays
Internet servers need up to 48 hours to update with your new DNS information, causing temporary connection delays during this transition period.
Check different devices and internet connections to confirm propagation status, or use online DNS checker tools to monitor when changes take effect globally.
SSL certificate problems
Shopify generates SSL certificates automatically, but incorrect DNS settings or DNSSEC conflicts can block this process and trigger browser security warnings.
Verify that your A and CNAME records are correct, then contact your domain provider to disable DNSSEC if SSL provisioning continues to fail after proper DNS configuration.
Domain verification failures
Shopify sometimes requires a TXT record verification to confirm you own the domain before allowing connection to prevent unauthorized access.
Add the verification TXT record provided in your Shopify admin to your domain’s DNS settings, then click the verification button to complete the ownership confirmation process.
Conflicting DNS records
Multiple A records or wildcard records create routing conflicts that prevent your domain from connecting properly to Shopify’s servers.
Remove all existing A records except the one pointing to 23.227.38.65, and delete any wildcard records that might redirect traffic away from your store.
Subdomain connection issues
When your www subdomain doesn’t work, you’re missing the required CNAME record that routes www traffic to your store.
Add a CNAME record with www as the host and shops.myshopify.com as the destination to ensure both your root domain and www version direct visitors to your store.
Best practices for managing your Shopify domain
Proper domain management protects your brand, maintains customer trust, and prevents costly security issues that could disrupt your business operations.
Follow these best practices to manage your domain:
Set a primary domain
Choose your main branded domain and mark it as Primary in your Shopify admin settings. All other connected domains automatically redirect traffic to your primary address, ensuring customers always land on your preferred URL regardless of which domain they type.
Enable auto-renewal
Navigate to Settings > Domains in your Shopify admin and enable automatic renewal for all your domains. Auto-renewal prevents accidental expiration that could result in domain loss to competitors or cybersquatters who monitor expired domains for acquisition opportunities.
Set up domain redirects
Configure 301 redirects from old domains or alternative spellings to your primary domain to capture misdirected traffic. These redirects inform search engines that your content has moved, helping to preserve your SEO rankings.
Monitor SSL certificate status
Keep an eye on your SSL status in the domains section of your admin dashboard. SSL certificates should show as active, but DNS conflicts or configuration errors can cause certificates to become stuck in a pending status, requiring troubleshooting.
Check DNS records occasionally
Review your DNS settings after installing new apps, changing email providers, or modifying hosting configurations. Use tools like DNSChecker to verify your records propagate correctly and don’t conflict with Shopify’s required A and CNAME records.
Brand protection strategy
Purchase multiple extensions like .com, .store, and .co for your brand name to prevent competitors from registering similar domains. Redirect these variations to your primary domain to capture traffic from customers who might guess the wrong extension.
Email integration setup
After setting up your domain, link it with your email marketing tool, such as Omnisend, so your messages reflect your store’s identity and domain name. Branded email addresses improve deliverability rates and customer recognition compared to generic email providers.
Integrating Omnisend with your Shopify domain
Connecting Omnisend to your Shopify domain lets you create automated flows that customers trust and improves message deliverability to their inboxes.
How custom domain names improve deliverability
Email providers like Gmail evaluate sender reputation based on domain authenticity, treating emails from [email protected] as more trustworthy than generic addresses.
Omnisend’s domain verification adds SPF and DKIM authentication records that prove you own the sending domain.
Verified domains bypass many spam filters because they demonstrate legitimate business ownership. Your emails reach customer inboxes more reliably, ensuring your marketing efforts generate returns rather than disappearing into spam folders.
Omnisend displays your custom domain in email campaigns, automated flows, and popup forms, creating brand recognition throughout the customer journey. Shoppers see the same professional domain from their first website visit to post-purchase follow-ups.
Your abandoned cart flows, welcome series, and promotional campaigns all originate from your branded email address. Customers develop trust associations with your domain that carry across all marketing communications.
Setting up your sender email address in Omnisend
Follow these steps to authenticate your domain email address in Omnisend:
Click Email addresses (located next to Domains) to open the settings page:
Image via Omnisend
Click + Add email address and enter an address that matches your Shopify domain, such as [email protected]
Omnisend will send you averification email to confirm ownership of the address. Check your inbox and spam folder for the verification message, then click the confirmation link to activate your branded sender email. The email looks like this:
That’s it! You’ve successfully added your domain email address to Omnisend.
Maximize your Shopify store sales with Omnisend’s ecommerce marketing automation
Shopify provides every store with a free yourstore.myshopify.com domain automatically. You can replace this with a custom domain like yourbrand.com whenever you’re ready.
Is a domain name free on Shopify?
Your Shopify account includes a myshopify.com domain that works immediately to build your store. You can purchase a custom domain like yourbrand.com or mybrand.store for between $10 and $30/year. Prices vary by extension.
Do I need a domain to start selling on Shopify?
No custom domain is required to begin selling. Your free myshopify.com address works immediately for transactions, though customers prefer branded domains for trust.
Does Shopify keep your domain name?
You own domains purchased on Shopify and can transfer them to other providers anytime, should you choose to switch away from the platform.
How to delete a domain on Shopify?
While you can’t remove your myshopify.com domain name because you need it to access the app, you can remove a custom domain from your Shopify store. From the Shopify app, follow ☰ > Settings > Domains. Tap the domain you want to remove, press Delete, and confirm with ✓.
What does SSL pending mean on a Shopify domain?
When a Shopify domain has the status “SSL pending,” it means Shopify is trying to issue an SSL certificate for your ecommerce store. SSL certificates verify a website’s identity and ensure customers can browse and purchase products and/or services securely.
How to find my Shopify domain?
There are several places you can see your Shopify domain, the easiest being from the Shopify dashboard. Log in to your account, click on the left-hand menu, and follow Online Store > Domains.
Bernard is the Sr. Director of Communications & Creative at Omnisend, with a passion for good research, helping ecommerce businesses with their marketing automation needs, and beating absolutely everyone in Mario Kart 64.
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