How do I add a domain on Shopify?

By default, online stores created on Shopify have the domain "name-of-your-onlinestore.myshopify.com." However, we recommend that retailers who are professionally involved in e-commerce purchase their own, custom domain to effectively highlight their brand in the web address.

In this guide, we'll take a detailed look at the options Shopify offers you to add your own domain and show you step by step what you need to do.

Adding a domain to your Shopify store - Here's how:

1. Why your own domain?
2. Setting up a domain on Shopify: Options
3. Buy a domain through Shopify
4. Add a third-party domain to Shopify

1. Your own domain - What are the advantages?

A domain is your website's unique name on the internet (e.g., "google.com"), which is translated into an IP address by the Domain Name System (DNS). It helps computers find your website and plays a significant role in your online store's presence.

Adding your own domain offers numerous benefits, including:

• Strengthened brand identity: A custom domain reflects your brand name and image, leading to greater recognition.
• Professional appearance: A dedicated domain for your Shopify store leaves a serious and trustworthy impression on your customers.
• Greater conciseness: A simple, easy-to-remember domain is easier for your customers to remember.
• Search engine optimization: With a custom domain, you improve your store's visibility in search engines, increasing your traffic in the long term.

Shopify stores are generally characterized by fast loading times and high stability, which leads to good search engine rankings. You can learn more about Shopify's advantages in our detailed analysis.

Our recommendations for a good domain: Choose a name that's easy to remember and concise. Avoid unnecessary additions or elements like underscores. If your main market is in Germany, ".de" is a good top-level domain for your online shop. If you plan to sell internationally, you could choose ".com."

Consider the domain as an opportunity to effectively represent your store and convey a professional image.

2. Options for your own domain on Shopify

There are basically two ways to add a domain to your online shop.

• You can buy a domain directly on Shopify without any hassle.
• You can purchase a domain through a third-party provider. Well-known service providers include Strato, 1&1, and GoDaddy. Depending on the top-level domain (i.e., the ending .de or .com, for example), the costs vary. With GoDaddy, you pay an annual fee for the domain (starting at €0.99 in the first year); with Strato and 1&1, the fees are paid monthly (starting at €0.08 per month in the first year).

3. Buy a domain through Shopify

1. Access Settings: You can purchase a domain directly from the settings in your Shopify admin. To do so, go to Settings.

   

2. Go to Domains: There you will find the sub-item Domains.

   

3. Buy a new domain: If you want to buy a new domain directly from Shopify, select the appropriate option.

   

4. Select and check your domain: Then enter your desired domain to check if it's still available. You'll find a list of available top-level domains, including their prices. Select the appropriate domain and click "Buy." You'll then receive a confirmation email.

   

5. Change primary domain: Now all you need to do is verify your email address. Activating the new domain can take up to 48 hours. You can find it under Settings -> Domains. There you can set it as your primary domain.

4. Add a third-party domain to Shopify

Have you already purchased a domain through another service provider? You can easily add it to your online store in just a few clicks in the Shopify admin.

1. Follow steps 1-2 above.

2. Connect your existing domain. Enter your domain and click "Next." Then select "Connect automatically."

   

3. You can now log in to your domain provider and connect the domain by clicking on “Connect”.

Want to change your Shopify store's domain ? Learn everything you need to know in our guide.