Choosing the right domain name for your online store is a crucial step in establishing a professional and credible online presence. It’s the address your customers will use to find you, and it plays a significant role in branding, marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO).
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of adding a custom domain to your Shopify store, empowering you to take control of your online identity and build a thriving e-commerce business.
Table of Contents
- Why a Custom Domain Matters
- Option 1: Buying a Domain through Shopify
- Option 2: Connecting an Existing Domain
- Shopify Domain Renewal Cost
- Shopify Domain Hosting Price and Cost
- What Shopify Plan Allows Domains?
- FAQs
Why a Custom Domain Matters
When you first launch your Shopify store, you’re provided with a free subdomain (e.g., “yourstore.myshopify.com”). While functional, a subdomain lacks the professionalism and branding power of a custom domain (e.g., “yourstore.com”).
Here’s why upgrading to a custom domain is essential:
- Branding and Professionalism: A custom domain reinforces your brand identity, making your store look more established and trustworthy to customers.
- Improved SEO: Search engines favor websites with custom domains, as they signify a commitment to creating a professional online presence. A custom domain can contribute to better search rankings and increased organic traffic.
- Customer Trust: Customers are more likely to feel confident making purchases from a store with a custom domain, perceiving it as more legitimate and secure.
- Marketing and Promotion: A custom domain simplifies marketing efforts, making it easier to promote your store across different channels and build a consistent brand identity.
Option 1: Buying a Domain through Shopify
Shopify offers a seamless domain registration process, allowing you to purchase a “shopify domain” directly within your Shopify admin panel. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Step 1: Access the Domain Purchase Section
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Navigate to Settings > Domains.
- Click Buy new domain.
- Step 2: Search for Your Desired Domain
- Enter your preferred domain name in the search bar.
- Shopify will instantly check its availability and display pricing options for various TLDs (top-level domains) like .com, .org, .net, and more.
- Step 3: Choose a Domain and Extension
- Select the domain name and TLD that best suits your business.
- Consider factors like relevance to your industry, target audience, and overall brand image when choosing your TLD.
- You’ll also see alternative domain suggestions and premium domain options in the search results.
- Step 4: Review and Complete the Purchase
- Carefully review the domain registration details and contact information, ensuring accuracy.
- Decide if you want to enable Auto-renew for your domain, which ensures automatic renewal before its expiration date, saving you from potential lapses.
- Select your preferred payment method.
- Review and acknowledge the ICANN policy and Domain Registration Agreement.
- Click Buy domain to finalize your purchase.
- Step 5: Verification and Configuration
- Check your email for a verification message from Shopify and follow the instructions to confirm your email address associated with the domain.
- It may take up to 48 hours for your domain to become fully active due to DNS propagation, a process where servers across the internet update with your domain information.
- Shopify automatically configures your new domain as the primary domain if it’s the first one you’ve added to your store.
Option 2: Connecting an Existing Domain
If you already own a custom domain from a different registrar, you can connect it to your Shopify store. This process involves updating your domain’s DNS records to point to Shopify’s servers.
- Step 1: Access Domain Settings
- Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
- Go to Settings > Domains.
- Step 2: Choose to Connect an Existing Domain
- Select the option to Connect existing domain.
- Step 3: Enter Your Domain Name
- Enter your already-owned domain name in the provided field.
- Step 4: Updating DNS Records
- DNS (Domain Name System) records are like instructions that tell web browsers where to find your website. To connect your existing domain, you need to update these records with your domain provider.
- Two primary DNS records are crucial for this connection:
- A record: This record directs your domain to Shopify’s servers by pointing it to Shopify’s assigned IP address.
- CNAME record: This record connects your “www” subdomain (www.yourstore.com) to your primary domain (yourstore.com).
- Step 5: Verification and Troubleshooting
- Shopify will automatically verify your DNS settings to confirm the connection.
- This verification can take up to 48 hours due to DNS propagation.
- Common troubleshooting tips:
- Double-check your DNS records against the specific instructions provided by your domain provider.
- If everything seems correct but your domain isn’t connected, be patient. It can take time for DNS changes to propagate across the internet.
- Step 6: Setting the Primary Domain
- If you have multiple domains connected to your Shopify store, you can choose which one to display as your primary domain for customers. This is the domain name that will appear in their browser’s address bar when they visit your store.
Shopify Domain Renewal Cost
When you purchase a domain through Shopify, you register it for one year. To maintain ownership and keep your website accessible, you must renew your domain annually. The “shopify domain renewal cost” aligns with industry standards and varies slightly depending on the chosen TLD. Renewal costs are charged separately from your Shopify subscription. You can enable “auto-renew” during the initial purchase or within your domain settings to avoid accidental expirations.
Shopify Domain Hosting Price and Cost
With Shopify, the question of a separate “shopify domain hosting price” or “shopify domain hosting cost” is irrelevant. Every Shopify plan, regardless of tier, comes with unlimited web hosting. This means that when you use Shopify to build your online store, web hosting is included. It’s a seamless part of the platform. This integrated approach simplifies your website management and ensures that hosting is never a separate concern.
What Shopify Plan Allows Domains?
Every Shopify plan, from the entry-level Basic plan to the advanced Shopify plan, and even the enterprise-grade Shopify Plus plan, allows you to connect custom domains. You can buy a new domain directly through Shopify or connect an existing domain purchased elsewhere.
FAQs
Can I use a domain I bought elsewhere with my Shopify store?
Yes, you can connect a domain purchased from any registrar to your Shopify store. The process involves updating your domain’s DNS records to point to Shopify’s servers.
How much does it cost to renew a domain through Shopify?
Domain renewal costs vary based on the chosen TLD but are generally in line with industry standards. You can check the specific renewal price for your domain within your Shopify admin panel.
What if my desired domain name is unavailable?
If your preferred domain name is unavailable, Shopify’s domain name generator will provide you with alternative suggestions. You can consider using a different TLD, adding hyphens or numbers to your desired name, or brainstorming a new domain name altogether.
What do I do if I have trouble connecting my existing domain?
If you face difficulties connecting your existing domain, double-check your DNS records against your domain provider’s instructions. It can also take time for DNS changes to propagate across the internet, so be patient. If problems persist, contact both Shopify support and your domain registrar for assistance.
Can I change my domain name after I’ve purchased it?
Unfortunately, you cannot change a domain name once purchased. If you need a different domain, you must purchase it separately. Be sure to carefully choose your domain name during the registration process.