Your domain name is the digital front door to your Shopify store. But what if you need to change your Shopify domain name? Whether youโre rebranding, found a better domain name, or just made a mistake during setup, updating your Shopify domain name can feel overwhelming.
After all, your domain affects branding, SEO, and customer trust. So, how do you change your Shopify domain the right way without losing traffic or impacting search rankings? In this guide, weโll walk you through the process step by step. Youโll learn:
- Why Change Your Shopify Domain Name
- What is the Default Shopify Domain
- How to Change Your Shopify Domain Name
- How to Set your Custom Shopify Domain As Primary
Changing your Shopify domain doesnโt have to be complicated. Follow these simple steps, and youโll have your new domain up and running in no time. Letโs dive in.
Why Change Your Shopify Domain Name
Your domain name is the foundation of your online identity. Learning how to change domain name on Shopify can bring several advantages:
- Enhanced brand credibility and trust. A professional, custom domain (e.g., `yourstore.com`) establishes legitimacy and makes your business appear more trustworthy.
- Better customer recall. A short, memorable domain name helps customers find and remember your store easily.
- Stronger SEO and marketing benefits. A domain aligned with your brand or keywords improves your storeโs search engine rankings and makes marketing campaigns more effective.
- Rebranding or business expansion. If your business has outgrown its original name or needs a new identity, a domain name change can support your evolving brand.
What is the Default Shopify Domain
The default Shopify domain name is a unique URL assigned to every Shopify store when it is created. This domain follows the format
[your-store-name].myshopify.com
[your-store-name] is the name you chose for your store during setup. This default domain serves as the primary address for accessing your store’s admin panel and storefront before you connect a custom domain.
For example: “bestshoesstore.myshopify.com”, “trendyclothing.myshopify.com”, “homedecorhub.myshopify.com”.
This default domain acts as your storeโs primary address until you connect a custom domain. However, while functional, it’s not the best option for branding, SEO, or customer trust.
How to Change Your Shopify Domain Name
Step 1: Access the Domains Section in Shopify
To change domain name in Shopify, log into your Shopify admin and navigate to the Domains section, where you can search for and purchase a new domain.
- Log in to Shopify โ Go to Shopify Admin and sign in.
- Open Settings โ Click Settings in the lower-left corner of your admin dashboard.
- Go to Domains โ In the settings menu, select Domains to access domain management.
Now that you’re in the right place, it’s time to search for your desired domain.
Step 2: Search for an Available Domain
Once youโve reached the Domains section, Shopify allows you to search for a custom domain name that best represents your brand.
- Click on “Buy New Domain”
- On the Domains page, locate and click the Buy new domain button.
- Enter your desired domain name
- Type in the domain name you want for your store. For example, enter
yourstorename.com.
- Type in the domain name you want for your store. For example, enter
- Browse available options
- Shopify will display available domain extensions (such as .com, .net, .store, .shop), along with their pricing.
- If your desired domain name is unavailable, Shopify will suggest alternative names or similar domains.
- Choose the best option for your brand
- Select the domain that best suits your business.
- If multiple domain extensions are available, consider using .com for global appeal or .store if your business is e-commerce-focused.
Once you’ve found an available domain, the next step is purchasing it.
Step 3: Purchase the Domain
After selecting your domain, Shopify will guide you through the checkout process. Shopify domains are registered for one year by default. So You can enable Auto-renew this domain every year to ensure your domain doesnโt expire.
Next, Shopify may ask you to confirm your business name, email, address, and phone number for domain registration. This information is required for WHOIS registration, which records domain ownership.
After you have filled in the necessary information, Click Buy domain to proceed. Shopify will charge the domain cost to your primary payment method on file.
Once payment is completed, Shopify will automatically configure the domain to work with your store.
You may also like: How to change Shopify Domain Name.
How to Set your Custom Shopify Domain As Primary
If you already have multiple domains linked to your Shopify store and want to change your primary domain on Shopify:
- Go to Shopify Admin > Click Settings > Select Domains.
- Choose the domain that you want to set as primary.
- Click “Set as primary” on the right.
Shopify will now use this new domain as the default when customers visit your store.
You can also demote your primary domain. In this case, your default domain with “my.shopify.com” will be set as your new primary. To do this:
- Go to Shopify Admin > Click Settings > Select Domains.
- Choose the domain that you want to demote.
- Click “Set as redirect” on the right.
How to change Shopify Domain Name – FAQs
Changing your Shopify domain enhances your storeโs branding, improves customer trust, boosts SEO rankings, and makes it easier for customers to remember your site.ย ย DNS changes typically take between 24 to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.ย ย Yes, you can transfer your domain to Shopify. However, additional fees may apply, and the process may take a few days depending on your current domain registrar. Your old domain can be set as a secondary domain or redirected to your new primary domain to ensure a seamless transition without losing traffic.ย ย
How to change Shopify Domain Name – Conclusion
Learning how to change your Shopify domain name is a crucial step toward improving your storeโs online presence and brand identity. By following this step-by-step guide, you can smoothly transition to a custom domain while minimizing potential issues.
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