A lot goes into setting up a successful online store, including adding a domain. Using a custom domain for your Shopify store is a great way to build your brand. If you weren’t aware, each Shopify store comes with a free default domain. It looks like this ‘store.myshopify.com.’
That can more than pass for new storefront owners without money to spare. Yet, seasoned merchants will want to break away from the ‘.myshopify’ extension on the domain. It looks unprofessional, and it takes away from the impact of your brand name.
A common question we get is, “Can Shopify host my domain?”
Shopify can host your domain on their platform. You can buy a custom domain through Shopify, and it will replace your default one. You can also connect a third-party domain to your Shopify site.
If you want to learn more about how domains work with Shopify, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be breaking down how you can add a custom domain to your Shopify store, so stay tuned.
How Domains Work with Shopify
As previously stated, each Shopify store comes with a completely free domain. Yet, it contains the extension ‘.myshopify,’ which distracts from your brand name.
Not only that, but it’s a long domain that’s cumbersome for customers to type.
To see what we mean in action, look at the following two examples:
- www.thepipestore.myshopify.com
- www.thepipestore.com
As you can see, the second option is far more desirable. It’s concise, easy to remember, and effortless to type. It reinforces your brand name, and it will stick in the minds of your customers.
The first result is a cumbersome mess that’s long and hard to type. There are too many words, and it completely distracts from the name of your store. It’s also a nightmare for SEO purposes. If you want to rank higher in user searches, you’ll need to spring for a unique domain name.
Now you can see why most merchants opt to buy a custom domain. They look much cleaner and add to your brand recognition. So if you want your store to look more professional, obtaining a custom domain is a must. When it comes to buying a domain, you’ll have several options.
Buying a Custom Domain Through Shopify
Shopify allows you to buy a custom domain through the platform. It’s the quickest and easiest way to set up a custom domain. You can select one primary domain and then have up to 10 subdomains for your store.
Shopify has an automated setup that’s very user-friendly. You’ll be able to buy a custom domain name in no time at all. If you’re new to Shopify and want a custom domain, we recommend going through the platform to do so.
You can also add an international domain. That way, you can start working on building a global brand from the beginning. You can also use your new domain name to boost your search engine rankings in certain countries.
But what if you already have a custom domain and don’t need to buy one through Shopify?
Connecting an Existing Domain to Shopify
Let’s say that you already own a branded domain name from a third-party provider. In this case, you’ll need to connect your domain to your Shopify store to use it. The good news is that you can easily do this.
Shopify allows you to connect domain names from providers like GoDaddy and Google.
When you connect a third-party domain, it will redirect to your Shopify store. That way, you can still use your existing URL for your e-commerce storefront.
If you want to manage your domain settings, you’ll need to do it through your third-party provider. So if you have a domain with GoDaddy, you’ll need to use their dashboard to adjust settings and pay for your domain.
Transferring an Existing Domain to Shopify
What if you have an existing domain but don’t want a third party to manage it? In this case, you’d need to transfer your domain name to Shopify. That differs from connecting it in that you’re entirely moving everything to Shopify.
In other words, your domain name will no longer belong to Google or GoDaddy. Once the transfer is complete, it’s an official Shopify domain name.
As a result, you can directly edit, pay for, and renew your domain name through your Shopify admin. There are lots of reasons why you’d want to transfer your domain instead of connecting it. For one, transferring it places all your website content in one place. You won’t have to exit Shopify to edit any aspect of your store.
Steps to Buying a Shopify Domain
If you want to buy a custom domain name through Shopify, you’ll need to check the price and availability. You see, if your domain name is already taken, you won’t be able to claim it. Also, domains purchased through Shopify start at $11 per year. The specific price will depend on which TLD extension you use.
Here are the steps that you’ll need to take within Shopify to buy a custom domain name:
- From the Shopify admin, select Online Store > Domains
- Hit Buy New Domain
- Enter the unique domain name that you want to purchase
- Click Buy next to the domain
From there, you’ll need to review the purchase summary. That will ensure that everything went through correctly. Here’s what you need to do:
- Review all the personal information listed for your account
- Select Auto-Renew This Domain Every Year if you want to renew automatically
- Confirm if the extension includes WHOIS privacy
- Read the ICANN policy as well as the Domain Registration Agreement
- Agree to the documents and select Buy Domain
That’s all it takes to buy and set up a custom domain through Shopify. If you’re just now setting up your Shopify store, we recommend taking this route. Going through Shopify is far easier than using a third party. It will keep all your tools in one location.
Can Shopify Host My Domain? ( quick video )
Try Shopify for free.
If you are interested in Shopify and want to try it out, Shopify is offering a 14-day free trial here. The free trial is great because you get to see how Shopify works before committing to one of their monthly programs. If you decide to start the free trial, you can pick up right where you left off when you switch to the monthly plan. If you’re looking to grow or start your online business, this is an excellent opportunity to try Shopify.
Final Takeaways
Now you know the answer to, “Can Shopify host my domain?” They definitely can, and they offer affordable custom domains. You can also connect and transfer existing domains from third-party providers. No matter what route you choose, using a custom domain name is best for your store.
For more great content to help you develop your Shopify strategies, check out the rest of the merchant posts on the site. If you want to see a list of our top recommended Shopify apps visit this link here.
