When you create a Shopify store, Shopify provides you with a free URL in the format your-store-name.myshopify.com. While this is functional, it’s not ideal for building a professional brand. Using a custom domain (like yourbusinessname.com) makes your store look polished and trustworthy—plus, it’s easier for customers to remember!

 

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to connect a custom domain to your Shopify store. Whether you purchased your domain through Shopify or a third-party provider like Google Domains or GoDaddy, I’ve got you covered.

 

Step 1: Buy a Custom Domain

If you don’t already have a custom domain, you can purchase one directly through Shopify or from a third-party registrar like Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

• To buy a domain through Shopify, go to Settings > Domains > Buy new domain in your Shopify admin.
• For third-party providers, follow their domain registration process to secure your desired name.

[Note for Jess: Add a screenshot of the Shopify interface where users can search for and purchase a domain.]

 

Step 2: Add Your Domain to Shopify

Once you have your domain, log in to your Shopify admin and navigate to Settings > Domains. From here, you can connect your domain:

1. If you purchased your domain through Shopify:

• Shopify automatically sets it up for you.
• All you need to do is set it as your primary domain (we’ll cover this in Step 4).

2. If you purchased your domain through a third-party provider:

• Click Connect existing domain.
• Enter your domain name (e.g., yourbusinessname.com) and follow the prompts.

[Note for Jess: Add a screenshot of the "Connect existing domain" screen in Shopify.]

 

Step 3: Update Your Domain Settings (Third-Party Only)

If you’re using a third-party domain, you’ll need to update the DNS (Domain Name System) settings:

1. Log in to your domain provider’s dashboard (e.g., Google Domains or GoDaddy).

2. Update the following records:

• A Record: Set this to Shopify’s IP address: 23.227.38.65.
• CNAME Record: Point this to shops.myshopify.com.

3. Save your changes. It may take up to 48 hours for the updates to fully propagate, but it’s often faster.

 

[Note for Jess: Add a screenshot of sample DNS settings from a domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy or Google Domains).]

 

Step 4: Set Your Custom Domain as Primary

To ensure your new domain is the one customers see, set it as your primary domain:

1. Go to Settings > Domains in Shopify.
2. Find your custom domain in the list and click Set as primary.

This step ensures that all traffic to your myshopify.com URL redirects to your custom domain.

[Note for Jess: Add a screenshot of the domain management screen showing the "Set as primary" option.]

 

Step 5: Test Your Domain

After everything is set up, visit your new domain in a browser to ensure it’s working correctly. If you see your Shopify store, congratulations—you’ve successfully connected your custom domain!

Pro Tips for Managing Your Domain

• Renewal: Keep track of your domain renewal date so it doesn’t expire. Most providers offer auto-renewal to make this easier.
• SSL Certificate: Shopify automatically provides an SSL certificate for custom domains, ensuring your site is secure. Look for the padlock icon in the browser address bar to confirm.
• SEO: A custom domain helps with search engine optimization (SEO), as it makes your website appear more credible to both search engines and customers.

 

Using a custom domain is a small step with a big impact on your brand’s professionalism and trustworthiness. If you have any questions or run into issues, Shopify’s support team is always there to help—or feel free to reach out to me here at Studio Kinde!