Can I use a custom domain with my Shopify store? (Classic)

How to buy your domain

1)  Buying your domain through Shopify

When buying through Shopify, domains are extremely inexpensive, at only

•  $9 (.com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .co.uk, .be, .eu, .us)
• $14 (.ca, .in, .it, .nl) 
• $19 (.ws, .me) 
• 24$ (.co) and $34 (.tv)

2) Buying a domain from an outside provider / Using an already-existing domain

a. Buy your domain

b. Set up the subdomain:    www.YourStore.com

• You must make sure your "www" subdomain points to YourStoreName.myshopify.com using a CNAME record. 

• Now you must go back to your Shopify admin panel and “claim” your domain. Go to “Preferences” then “DNS & Domains.”
• Click  “+ Add a domain you already own” or “Claim your domain” if you are using Shopify 2.
• And enter your domain name in this format: www.YourStore.com

c.  Set up the root domain:    “YourStore.com” 

1) Permanent redirect* 

2) Set up permanent redirect through your domain provider

• Head to your Shopify admin, and go to “Preferences,” then to “DNS & Domains.” 
• Click “+ Add a domain you already own”
• And enter your domain name in this format: YourStore.com (without the www.) Now you’re done!

 

Can I use a custom domain with my Shopify store? (Shopify 2 Admin)

Owning your own domain is an excellent idea. Check out this Shopify Blog post for five key reasons you should own your domain.


When you have a custom domain, customers can find your shop by typing in YourStore.com instead of having to type in YourStore.myshopify.com. It’s much cleaner and looks more professional! It will also make your online store more visible in search results, and help solidify your brand.

In this guide, you'll find out how to set up your custom domain in 1 of 2 ways:

1) Buying your domain through Shopify

2) Buying your domain through an outside provider/ Using an existing domain 

1)  Buying your domain through Shopify

The quickest and easiest way to buy your domain is through Shopify’s Dashboard. It takes only minutes, and we do all the work for you – your domain will be set up automatically.

• To buy a domain name for your Shopify store, go to Settings → Domains in your admin panel. 
• Scroll down to the section entitled "Domains," and click the "Add a Domain" button.
• When a new window pops up, type in the domain name you'd like and pick an extension (ie. .com/.ca, etc):
• Select the "Register a new domain" option.
• Click "Check availability of new domain." If this domain is available, we'll register and process it for you.

 

•  $9 (.com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .co.uk, .be, .eu, .us)
• $14 (.ca, .in, .it, .nl) 
• $19 (.ws, .me) 
• 24$ (.co) and $34 (.tv)

If you wish, you can now set up an email address through your new domain.

2) Buying a domain from an outside provider / Using an already-existing domain

Much of the work involved in setting up your domain with an outside provider will have to be done through the provider itself and outside of your Shopify admin. The  process will be different based on which provider you choose – so the best way to get help with setting up your new domain is to contact your domain provider.

However, there are a number of steps we can walk you through to help with the process of setting up your custom domain from an outside provider with your Shopify store:

a. Buy your domain

If you don’t already have one, decide what your new domain name will be in the same manner as above, and buy it from your provider of choice.

If you bought the domain from GoDaddy, check out this great video tutorial: GoDaddy Video Walkthrough.

We’ve also put together a set of instructions on how to register your domain from a number of popular domain name sellers: Registrar Specific Domain Instructions.

b. Set up the subdomain:    www.YourStore.com

Your “subdomain” is www.YourStore.com – YourStore.com with “www” placed in front.

It’s important to set up the subdomain for your store so that people can find your shop using your custom domain instead of having to type in YourStore.myshopfiy.com.  Setting up your subdomain is also necessary so that if someone types in only “YourStore.com,” it automatically redirects to www.YourStore.com – which is your active online storefront. 

To set up your subdomain:

• log in to the admin panel provided by your domain provider or registrar.
• Make sure your "www" subdomain points to YourStoreName.myshopify.com using a CNAME record.  

The specific steps involved in this process differ from provider to provider. You can find out more about this step through your domain provider.

• Now go back to your Shopify admin panel and “claim” your domain. Go to "Settings > Domains.”
• Click  “+ Add a domain” and choose "Add an existing domain."
• In the text box provided, enter your custom domain name in this format: www.YourStore.com
• Click "Add domain."

c.  Set up the root domain:    “YourStore.com” 

Your “root domain” is simply YourStore.com. There are two ways to set up your root domain – which step you follow will be based on the capabilities of your domain provider.

1) Permanent redirect* 

This is the easiest choice, and is often a very simple step that can be carried out through your domain provider. If your registrar has permanent redirect, you’re done! Your domain and subdomain have been registered.

*If your provider does not have permanent redirect capabilities, you must follow the steps below to set this up yourself (the following instructions should make more sense once you’ve logged in to your domain provider admin page).

2) Set up permanent redirect through your domain provider

• First, through your provider admin, you’ll have to make sure your root domain (Which is YourStore.com without the www) has an A Record pointing to 204.93.213.45. 
• Then head to your Shopify admin, and go to the Domains tab. Scroll to the Domains section.
• Click “+ Add a domain” and make sure "Add an existing domain" is checked off. 
• And enter your domain name in this format: YourStore.com (without the www.)
• Click the "Add domain" button.

Note: It can take up to 48 hours for your new domain to be set up, so don’t worry if the DNS & Domains section on your dashboard still says “failed.” It just needs some time!

d. Set your primary domain

Once everything has propagated – and you see an “OK” status in the Domains section of your admin – you'll want to make your custom domain the primary domain for your online store.

• To do this, scroll down to the "Primary domain" panel under Settings > Domains.
• Select your custom domain from the dropdown menu.
• Check off "do you want to redirect all traffic to this domain?"
• Click the update button.

Now if someone types in yourstore.myshopify.com, they will be redirected to www.yourstore.com – which is your new custom domain!

Note: Don’t attempt to make your custom domain the primary domain until everything is propagated and you get the “OK” status on your DNS & Domains page, or your storefront could be rendered inaccessible. 

Do you have an externally purchased domain and want to use it for email? To learn more about how you can set up YourStore@YourStore.com, check out: http://wiki.shopify.com/Gmail_Integration or call your domain provider.

Read more about Shopify domains on the Shopify Domain FAQ, or buy a domain through Shopify now through your admin panel.

Having trouble choosing a domain name? Don’t worry – we’ve done the homework for you. Take a look at our 5 Rules for Choosing a Memorable Domain Name.