How to Buy a Domain from Shopify: Full Guide in 2026

Your domain name is the address customers use to find your store online. In other words, it is your brand’s home on the internet. However, many new Shopify merchants either skip this step or get confused by the different options.

Shopify lets you buy a custom domain directly from your admin dashboard. On the other hand, you can also connect a domain you already own from a third-party registrar such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. Both options work well, but they differ in price, control, and flexibility.

In this guide, you will learn how to buy a domain from Shopify step by step. You will also see how much it costs, how to connect a third-party domain, how to choose a good domain name, and how to solve common domain

How Much Does a Shopify Domain Cost?

Shopify domain prices depend on the extension you choose. Below are common annual prices in USD:

All Shopify domains include free WHOIS privacy protection and automatic SSL certificates. There are no hidden setup fees. The price you see is the price you pay, plus a small ICANN regulatory fee (typically under $1).

By default, domains renew automatically each year. If you want, you can turn off auto-renewal in your Shopify admin under Settings > Domains.

How Does Shopify Compare to Other Registrars?

Shopify is not always the cheapest place to buy a domain. Still, it is not the most expensive either. For a standard .com domain, here is how it compares:

My verdict: 

GoDaddy may look cheaper at first, but the renewal price is often much higher. In addition, privacy protection may cost extra. By contrast, Shopify and Namecheap include it for free.

Cloudflare is often the cheapest long-term option because it sells domains with little or no markup. However, it does not offer the same easy integration that Shopify does.

So, the real question is simple: is Shopify’s convenience worth paying a little more each year? For many store owners, the answer is yes.

How to Buy a Domain Directly from Shopify

Buying a domain through Shopify takes about five minutes. Here is the process step by step.

Step 1: Access Domains Section

• In your Shopify admin, click on Settings > Domains.

Step 2: Search for Your Domain

• Click Buy new domain.
• Enter your desired domain name in the search bar.

Step 3: Choose Available Domain

• Select the desired domain extension (e.g., .com, .net, .store) from the available options.
• If your desired name is taken, consider alternatives or a different extension.

Step 4: Review and Purchase

• Review the purchase summary, including price and auto-renewal options.
• If you’re satisfied, click Buy domain.

Step 5: Verify Email Address

• After purchase, check your email for a verification link from Shopify.
• Click the link to complete the domain registration process.

Should you buy a domain from Shopify?

Whether or not you should buy a domain from Shopify depends on your priorities and preferences. There are pros and cons to consider:

Pros of Buying a Domain from Shopify:

• Convenience: It’s incredibly convenient to buy and manage your domain directly within your Shopify admin. Everything is in one place, streamlining the setup process and ongoing management. I personally appreciate this centralization, as it saves me time and hassle jumping between different platforms.
• Automatic Configuration: Shopify automatically configures your domain settings, including DNS records, to connect seamlessly with your store. This eliminates the need for technical know-how and minimizes potential errors during setup.
• WHOIS Privacy Included: Most Shopify domains come with free WHOIS privacy protection, keeping your personal contact information hidden from public domain registration records.
• 24/7 Support: Shopify’s dedicated support team is available around the clock to assist you with any domain-related issues or questions.

Cons of Buying a Domain from Shopify:

• Slightly Higher Pricing: Shopify domains might be slightly more expensive compared to some other domain registrars. I noticed a small price difference when comparing Shopify to Namecheap, but the convenience factor outweighed the cost for me.
• Limited Control Over DNS Settings: Shopify manages most of your domain’s DNS settings, which might limit your ability to make advanced configurations or use third-party services that require specific DNS records.
• Potential Transfer Restrictions: If you decide to move your store to another platform in the future, transferring your domain away from Shopify might involve additional steps or fees.

Expert Views:

• Shopify’s Official Documentation: “Buying a domain through Shopify is the simplest way to connect your domain to your online store. Shopify automatically configures your domain settings so that your domain connects to your Shopify store.”
• Ecommerce Platforms Review: “Shopify’s domains are slightly more expensive than other domain registrars. However, they are still affordable, and the convenience of having everything in one place is worth the extra cost for many people.”

Note:

• If convenience and ease of use are your top priorities, buying a domain through Shopify is a great option, especially for beginners or those who want to avoid technical complexities.
• If you require more control over your DNS settings or are looking for the absolute lowest price, you might consider purchasing your domain from a third-party registrar.

How to Connect a Third Party Domain to Shopify

If you already own a domain from another registrar, you can connect it to your Shopify store without transferring it. This means you keep the domain at your current registrar but point it to Shopify’s servers.

There are two ways to do this:

• Connect the domain: keep it at your current registrar
• Transfer the domain: move it fully to Shopify

Connecting is usually faster and gives you more DNS control. On the other hand, transferring keeps everything in one place.

Connecting a Domain from GoDaddy

1. Log into your GoDaddy account and go to My Products > Domains.
2. Click DNS next to the domain you want to connect.
3. Under the Records section, find the A Record. Change its value to 23.227.38.65 (Shopify’s IP address).
4. Find the CNAME record with the name www. Change its value to shops.myshopify.com.
5. Save your changes. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, but it usually happens within a few hours.
6. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain. Enter your domain name and click Next.

Shopify will verify the connection automatically. Once verified, your GoDaddy domain will load your Shopify store.

Connecting a Domain from Namecheap

1. Log into your Namecheap account. Go to Domain List and click Manage next to your domain.
2. Select the Advanced DNS tab.
3. Add or edit the A Record: set the Host to @ and the Value to 23.227.38.65.
4. Add or edit the CNAME Record: set the Host to www and the Value to shops.myshopify.com.
5. Remove any conflicting records (like default parking page records).
6. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain and enter your domain.

Namecheap updates tend to propagate faster than GoDaddy, often within one to two hours.

Connecting a Domain from Cloudflare

1. Log into your Cloudflare dashboard. Select your domain.
2. Go to the DNS tab.
3. Add an A Record: Name @, Content 23.227.38.65, Proxy status DNS only (grey cloud).
4. Add a CNAME Record: Name www, Content shops.myshopify.com, Proxy status DNS only.
5. Important: Make sure the proxy status is set to DNS only (not Proxied). Shopify needs direct DNS access to issue your SSL certificate.
6. Connect the domain in your Shopify admin under Settings > Domains.

If you use Cloudflare’s proxy (orange cloud), your Shopify SSL certificate will not provision correctly. Always use the grey cloud (DNS only) for domains pointed to Shopify.

Tips for Choosing the Right Shopify Domain Name

Your domain name is a long-term part of your brand. So, it is worth choosing carefully.

Keep It Short and Easy to Remember

Short names are easier to type, easier to remember, and less likely to be misspelled.

For example, lunacraft.com is much stronger than besthandmadejewelryshop.com.

Use Keywords Naturally

If a product or niche keyword fits your brand naturally, use it. For example, a coffee store might use something like beanorigin.com.

However, do not force keywords into the domain if the result sounds awkward.

Avoid Numbers and Hyphens

Numbers and hyphens often confuse people. If someone hears your domain out loud, they may not know whether to type a number or a word, or whether a hyphen is included.

So, letters only is usually the safest choice.

Check Trademarks First

Before buying a domain, make sure it does not conflict with an existing trademark. Otherwise, you could face legal problems later.

Say It Out Loud

A good domain should sound clear when spoken. If people cannot spell it after hearing it once, it may be too complex.

This is often called the “radio test,” and it is a useful way to judge a name.

Buy More Than One Extension

If your brand name matters a lot, consider buying more than one version, such as .com and .store.

That way, you can protect your brand and redirect the extra domains to your main one.

FAQs

In conclusion

Buying a domain from Shopify is one of the simplest parts of setting up an online store. For $9 to $33 per year depending on the extension, you get a custom web address with free WHOIS privacy, automatic SSL, and zero DNS configuration.

If you value simplicity and want everything managed in one dashboard, buying through Shopify is the practical choice. If you want lower costs and full DNS control, a third party registrar like Cloudflare or Namecheap gives you more flexibility.