Seamlessly Transfer Your Domain to Shopify with Our Expert Guide

If you’re looking to move your website to Shopify, you’ll need to transfer your domain to the new platform.

You can seamlessly transfer your domain to Shopify and ensure that your website remains accessible to your customers throughout the process with the help of our step-by-step guide.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps involved in Shopify’s domain transfers, from setting up your Shopify account to updating your DNS settings and testing your website after the transfer. We’ll also provide our insights on how to help your website’s SEO ranking remain intact and that any disruptions to your website’s availability are minimized.

With our expert guide, your domain transfer to Shopify will go smoothly, and your website will continue to provide a seamless user experience to your customers. So let’s dive in and get started!

Before Transferring Your Domain to Shopify Consider

Transferring a domain to Shopify is a huge step for any ecommerce business owner. But for a smooth experience, there are multiple requirements and considerations before starting.

• You must own your domain. If you don’t, check for availability so you can have ownership.
• Before transferring your domain, you must wait 60 continuous days from the day you registered your domain.
• You must pay the registration fee to renew your domain for 12 months.
• Contact your domain provider to find out if there are additional fees you have to consider.
• Confirm you have access to your original domain provider account and the email account you use to log in.
• It is best if the email address associated with your domain is not the same as your business email, because it will be disabled during a domain transfer.
• Monitor and answer every email during your transfer process.
• Remember, Shopify doesn’t provide email hosting services, but it has unlimited email forwarding accounts. So use a third-party email hosting service with email forwarding from Shopify.

Guide on How To Transfer Your Domain Name to Shopify

Transferring a domain to Shopify involves a few steps, including unlocking your domain, obtaining the transfer authorization code, and updating the domain’s DNS settings. To transfer your domain to Shopify follow these simple steps.

1. Sign in to your domain registrar account: Log in to the domain registrar account where your domain is currently registered. This is where you’ll be able to unlock your domain and obtain the authorization code. Remember to check your domain provider’s transfer policy
2. Unlock your domain: Find the option to unlock your domain. If you’re unsure where to find it, consult your domain registrar’s help documentation or support team for guidance.
3. Obtain the authorization code: Once your domain is unlocked, look for the option to obtain the authorization code. This code is required to transfer your domain to Shopify.
4. Create your Shopify account: Log in to your Shopify account, and go to “Online Store” in the left-hand menu.
5. Go to “Domains”: Click on “Domains” in the “Online Store” menu. This will take you to the “Domains” page.
6. Click “Connect existing domain”: Find the “Connect existing domain” button and click on it.
7. Enter your domain name: Enter the domain name you want to transfer to Shopify. Click “Next.”
8. Enter the authorization code: Enter the authorization code you obtained in step 3. Click “Next.”
9. Confirm the transfer: Review the transfer information and confirm that you want to transfer your domain to Shopify.
10. Update DNS settings: After the domain transfer is complete, you’ll need to update your DNS settings. Shopify will provide you with instructions on how to do this. Depending on your domain registrar, it may take up to 48 hours for these changes to take effect.

Congratulations, you have successfully transferred your domain to Shopify!

Third-party domain provider – What to do?

If you have a domain that is currently registered with a third-party domain provider, you can still use it with your Shopify store. Here’s what you need to do:

• Verify ownership: Make sure that you own the domain name and have access to the domain provider’s account.
• Update DNS settings: Log in to your domain provider’s account and update the DNS settings to point to your Shopify store. You’ll need to create two DNS records:
• A record: This should point to your Shopify store’s IP address. You can find this in your Shopify admin under “Online Store” > “Domains” > “Connect existing domain.”
• CNAME record: This should point to your Shopify store’s “shops.myshopify.com” subdomain.
• The exact steps to create these records may vary depending on your domain provider, so consult their help documentation or support team for guidance.
• Set up SSL certificate: If your domain doesn’t already have an SSL certificate, you’ll need to set one up to use it with your Shopify store. Shopify provides SSL certificates for free, so you can request one from your Shopify admin under “Online Store” > “Domains” > “SSL certificates.”
• Test the connection: After updating the DNS settings and setting up the SSL certificate, you’ll need to test the connection to make sure everything is working properly. You can do this by visiting your store’s URL using your domain name (e.g. www.yourdomain.com). If everything is set up correctly, you should see your Shopify store.

That’s it! With these steps, you can use your third-party domain with your Shopify store. If you have any issues or questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify support for assistance.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take To Transfer a Domain to Shopify?

The time it takes to transfer a custom domain to Shopify varies depending on a few factors, including the domain registrar you’re transferring from, the complexity of your domain setup, and the issues that may arise during the transfer process.

In general, a domain transfer can take up to 7-10 business days to complete. However, the actual timeline can be shorter or longer depending on the specific circumstances of your transfer.

What Happens to My Website During the Domain Transfer Process?

When you transfer your domain to Shopify, there are steps in the process that may affect the website’s availability and functionality. Here’s what you can expect:

DNS Propagation Delay

When you transfer your domain to Shopify, Shopify will update the DNS records to point to your website’s new location on their servers. This process can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, during which time your website may be inaccessible to some users.

Content Migration

If you are moving your website to Shopify at the same time as transferring your domain, you will need to migrate your website’s files and database to the new hosting environment. Shopify provides tools to help you do this, but the process can take some time and may result in temporary downtime or incomplete website functionality until the migration is complete.

App Integration

If your website relies on third-party apps or integrations, you may need to reinstall and configure those apps on Shopify after the transfer is complete. Some apps may not be available on Shopify, so you may need to find alternative solutions or modify your website’s functionality.

SSL Certificate

Shopify automatically provides an SSL certificate for your domain, which is necessary for secure communication between your website and your customers. However, it may take some time for the SSL certificate to be issued and installed, which could temporarily affect your website’s availability.

To minimize downtime and disruptions during the domain transfer process, it’s important to carefully plan and coordinate the transfer with Shopify and any third-party providers you use. Be sure to communicate with your website visitors and customers about any expected downtime or disruptions, and make sure to test your website thoroughly once the transfer is complete.

Can I Transfer Multiple Domains to Shopify at Once?

Yes, you can transfer multiple domains to Shopify at once by using the Shopify domain transfer tool or by contacting Shopify support for assistance.

To transfer multiple domains using the Shopify domain transfer tool, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to the Domains page.
2. Click the “Transfer domain” button.
3. Enter the domain name you want to transfer and click “Add domain.”
4. Repeat step 3 for each additional domain you want to transfer.
5. Review the transfer details and click “Continue to payment.”
6. Complete the payment process to initiate the domain transfer

Transferring multiple domains at once can be a complex process, so it’s fundamental to plan the transfer to minimize disruptions to your website or business. Communicate with your website visitors and customers about any expected downtime or disruptions, and monitor your website’s performance and SEO ranking after the transfer to identify and address any issues.

Wrapping Up

Transferring a custom domain to Shopify can be a game changer for any ecommerce business owner. Shopify provides a seamless and straightforward process for transferring your domain to their platform, and our expert guide can help you go through the process easily.

Before the transfer process, confirm ownership of your domain and check the access to your domain provider account. Remember, you can always contact Shopify customer support for extra help.

With our step-by-step guide, your website will continue to provide a seamless user experience to your customers during and after the transfer.