Everything you need to know about buying a Shopify domain

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Are you planning on creating an ecommerce store with a custom Shopify domain and don’t know where to start?

You’ve arrived at the right place.

Well, Shopify is just one of the many ecommerce platforms that you can opt for, and there are several apps for Shopify that can help you get started. 

However, to run a store on this platform, you need to have a domain name. It can be challenging to settle on the right Shopify domain name when you’re first starting out.

The big question is, should you or should you not buy a domain name from Shopify? 

Let’s find out!

• What is a Shopify domain?
• Do you need a domain for Shopify?
• Steps for choosing a domain name
• Pros and cons of buying a Shopify domain name
• How to buy a domain name from Shopify
• How to change a Shopify domain name
• Transferring a domain name to Shopify

What is a Shopify domain?

A Shopify domain is the web address of your online store on Shopify. When you set up your Shopify store, you’ll be given a free default URL that includes “myshopify.com” at the end. However, you can change this to a custom domain to better match your brand. 

Having a professional looking domain helps with branding, credibility, and can even improve search ranking. 

Do you need a domain for Shopify?

Yes, you’ll need a domain name for your Shopify store and if you have multiple Shopify stores then each one needs its own domain.

This gives your store a professional look and makes it more memorable, so that users can easily find it. You can buy a domain name from Shopify or create a unique and easy-to-remember URL address using Shopify or third-party domain providers.     

Steps for choosing a domain name

Your domain name is your digital storefront sign, so it’s crucial to choose one that resonates with your brand. 

These steps will guide you through the process of selecting the perfect domain name for your website:

Step 1: Come up with name ideas

First, you should come up with some ideas for domain names. Here are some tips on how to craft a memorable one:

• The most straightforward approach is to simply use your brand name as your domain name
• Use a thesaurus or AI tools to brainstorm keywords that describe your business, product/services, website content, or niche
• Another option is using a domain name generator to suggest names based on the variations of keywords you enter

Step 2: Check if your domain name is available

Use one of these tools to check the availability of your desired domain name:

• Shopify domain checker: A built-in tool that shows the availability of a desired domain name for purchase on Shopify. Type your preferred name in the search bar and it will show you if it’s available, along with pricing.
  
  As shown in the image below, a search for “myapplestore.com” on the Shopify domain checker shows that it’s unavailable for purchase.

• WHOIS domain lookup: With this tool, you can find out information about a domain name, such as the current owner and expiration date, even if it isn’t available on Shopify. This can be helpful if you’re considering contacting the owner about acquiring the domain.

Step 3: Set up your account and configure your DNS settings

Once you’ve chosen a Shopify domain name, you’ll need to register it and configure your Domain Name System (DNS) settings. If you’re buying a domain through Shopify, they automatically configure the DNS settings for you. However, for a domain name registered with a third-party provider, you’ll need to manually update the DNS settings within your registrar’s control panel.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Log in to your domain registrar account
• Locate the section for DNS management or DNS records
• See a list of existing records or a blank slate to create new ones
• Create a new record with your domain name and the IP address provided by your hosting provider

After you’ve set up the DNS records, it can take a few hours for them to start working. You can check your domain’s status in the Domains section of the Shopify admin.

If you prefer using a subdomain instead of a root domain (for example, you want to use shop.mydomain.com instead of mydomain.com), you can set it up in the Domains section of the Shopify admin.

You can connect a custom domain to a specific Shopify store. To do this, add the domain in the Domains section of the Store settings.

However, do note that if you’re using the Shopify Starter plan, you can only use a shop.shopify.com domain. You can’t connect a custom domain of your choice to your store.

Step 4: Add your domain to Shopify

Once your DNS settings are set up, you can add your domain to Shopify and start building your store. 

In a nutshell, here is a stepwise breakdown of the whole process of choosing Shopify domains:

1. In the Shopify admin, click Settings
2. Enter your preferred domain in the Domain name field in the Domains section
3. If the domain is available, click Add domain
4. If the domain is taken, try another one

Compared to WooCommerce, Wix, and other Shopify alternatives, it’s easier to add Shopify domains and work with them, thanks to its customer-friendly interface.

Pros and cons of buying a Shopify domain name

Let’s take a look at the various advantages and disadvantages of purchasing your domain name from Shopify.

Pros

Apart from access to the best Shopify apps, below are some benefits you’ll enjoy if you buy a domain on Shopify: 

• Allows you to create a custom ecommerce store without any coding experience 
• Offers a wide set of easy-to-use features to grow your business and increase your Shopify sales
• Enables hassle-free setup and maintenance of your website server with Shopify handling the hosting 
• Provides easy management and access to your store from anywhere in the world using Shopify’s hosted platform
• Provides built-in security for your store with Shopify’s SSL encryption (HTTPS), eliminating the need for a separate setup

Cons

When you plan to buy a domain name from Shopify, below are some demerits worth considering:

• Limited features compared to other platforms
• High Shopify domain cost compared to open-source alternatives like WooCommerce
• Limited options for top-level domains
• Less control over managing your domain settings compared to a dedicated domain registrar
• More difficult to move your domain to another platform

How to buy a domain name from Shopify

To buy a Shopify domain, here are some steps you should follow:

• First, open the Shopify app and click on the Domains tab
• Then, click on the Buy a New Domain button
• Enter the domain name you want to buy in the search bar and click on Search
• If the domain is available, click on Add to Cart
• If the domain is not available, then you can try another one
• When you’re ready, click on Checkout
• In the checkout screen, enter your contact information and payment information
• Click on Confirm Order to buy the domain
• When you select a Shopify plan, you have to make monthly payments to keep your store running

The best part here is that the cost of using Shopify domains is fairly affordable, at only $15/year for .com domains. You can have a basic plan at $32/month or an upgraded plan at $92/month.

Possibility of free Shopify domain

You can create an online store with Shopify using the three day free trial. No credit card information is required upfront to sign up. If you find you need more time after the three days, Shopify extends the trial to 30 days for just $1.

While there is no free domain for Shopify, you can use the free trial to explore the platform and experiment with building your store. Initially, you will only get a free “myshopify.com” subdomain, however, you must acquire a custom domain to maintain and strengthen your online presence.

Note that generating an available domain name is free but it will only be useful if you purchase it right away.

How to change a Shopify domain name

If you want to change your Shopify domain name, follow this simple procedure, and you’ll be good to go.

To begin, log in to your store’s admin panel and navigate to the Domains section.

Once you have a domain name reflected in the domain list, click the Set as primary link.

Transferring a domain name to Shopify

If you already own a domain name and want to use it with your Shopify store, you can transfer it to Shopify. 

Here’s how to do it:   

Checking the domain provider’s transfer policy

First, check the domain provider’s transfer policy to ensure that the provider supports domain transfers. Some providers do not offer this service, so you will need to switch hosts to transfer your Shopify domain name.

So, how do you go about the transferring process?

The first step is to contact Shopify and provide them with the domain name you wish to transfer. They will then provide you with specific instructions on how to proceed.

Hosting companies usually do not allow transferred domains until after the first invoice is paid, so make sure you know any fees or contracts that will need to be signed before you successfully transfer a domain to Shopify. 

Here are some additional considerations you should have in mind:

• You’ll pay $15/year for Shopify to host your domain name
• The policy of the domain name registrar that you are currently using must allow domain transfer
• You must have registered the domain name more than 60 days ago
• The server name for the domain will remain the same
• For a period of up to 20 days from the time of transfer, you will have to track and respond to important emails

If you don’t like your current host or simply want to explore other options, transferring your domain name is a quick and easy way to make the switch. 

And always remember to back up your website and email data before initiating a Shopify domain name transfer, just in case something goes wrong. You’ll also need to set up your Shopify email account once the domain is transferred.

Prepare domain to transfer

Here’s how you can get your Shopify domain ready for transfer:

• Provide Shopify with the domain name you want to transfer along with the authorization code or EPP code for your domain name 
• Wait for Shopify to initiate the transfer process (up to 10 days)
• Access your domain’s management panel and remove all records associated with the old host
• Add the records for Shopify, following their specific instructions
• Keep your Shopify domain name registrar account information up to date
• Check your Shopify settings to ensure they fit your needs

Transfer the domain to Shopify

Once you successfully transfer the domain to Shopify, it’ll take over responsibility for the domain name. 

This means that you will no longer be able to access the website or email accounts associated with the domain name. 

If you need to keep these services active, you will need to continue paying for them through Shopify.

Final comments

Shopify is one of the finest ecommerce platforms, and in this article we’ve detailed why you may want a Shopify domain, as well as how to purchase and transfer one. Most store owners are likely to want their own domain, as it not only reflects your brand but also looks more professional — and streamlined — than using the “myshopify.com” suffix your URL would otherwise have.

If you don’t want to purchase the domain through Shopify directly, you can use a different provider and transfer it to your Shopify store instead.

If you’re starting an online store or already own one, you’ll need to market it well too. Omnisend can play a major role in helping you with email marketing. So, get started for free today.