How Do I Change My Shopify Domain? A Complete Guide for Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Your Shopify Domain
3. Reasons for Changing Your Shopify Domain
4. Steps to Change Your Shopify Domain
5. SEO Implications of Changing Your Domain
6. Integrating with Tevello: Leveraging Your New Domain
7. Common Questions About Changing Your Shopify Domain
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Introduction

Did you know that over 1.7 million merchants have chosen Shopify as their e-commerce platform, contributing to a global trend where online sales are expected to surpass $6 trillion by 2024? With such rapid growth, it’s no surprise that many store owners find themselves needing to adapt their branding, including updating their Shopify domain to better reflect their products or services.

Whether it’s due to a business rebranding, an expansion of product offerings, or simply to improve brand continuity, changing your Shopify domain can feel daunting. However, it’s a crucial step in establishing a distinct online identity that customers can easily remember and trust.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the complexities and significance of changing your Shopify domain name. We’ll discuss the straightforward steps to make this change, the SEO implications, and how Tevello, our all-in-one e-learning app for Shopify, offers unique features that can seamlessly integrate into your new branding efforts.

So, are you ready to ensure your Shopify store aligns perfectly with your brand identity? Let's get started!

Understanding Your Shopify Domain

Before we jump into the steps for changing your domain, let’s clearly define what a Shopify domain is. A Shopify domain is essentially your online store's address—the URL customers will use to access your Shopify storefront. They usually come in two formats:

1. Default Shopify Domain: This is automatically assigned when you create a Shopify store and typically takes the form of yourstorename.myshopify.com.
2. Custom Domain: This is a more personalized option, such as yourbrand.com, which you can purchase for your store. Having a custom domain greatly enhances your brand's credibility and helps customers remember you.

Both domains serve different purposes: the Shopify domain helps with store management, while the custom domain enhances your professional presence online.

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to take these critical steps towards building a unique online identity—because your domain name is as essential to your brand as the products you sell.

Reasons for Changing Your Shopify Domain

Changing your Shopify domain can arise for several reasons, including:

1. Business Rebranding

Perhaps your brand has evolved or undergone a significant makeover. If your current domain reflects a name or theme that no longer aligns with your vision, it’s time to consider a change. A rebrand can rejuvenate not just your name but your entire marketing strategy.

2. Expansion into New Product Categories

If you started your online store with a specific product and have since diversified your offerings, your current domain may not represent the full range of products you sell. For instance, a store that originally sold shoes but now also sells clothing may want a more encompassing name.

3. Merging with Another Business

In instances where store ownership changes hands or multiple stores combine, a new domain may be necessary to symbolize the new entity and brand identity.

4. SEO Optimization

Your existing domain might not be optimizing your search engine results effectively. With targeted keywords in your new domain, you can potentially improve your rankings and attract more traffic.

Understanding why you're changing your domain is essential in guiding your choices throughout this process. Let’s move forward and delve into the steps needed to change your Shopify domain.

Steps to Change Your Shopify Domain

Changing your Shopify domain is a relatively simple process. Below, we will outline the steps you need to take, whether you’re using the Shopify admin or the mobile app.

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Admin

1. Log into your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store in the Sales channels section.

Step 2: Go to Domains

1. Under the Online Store section, click on Domains.
2. You’ll see your current domains listed here.

Step 3: Change Your Primary Domain

1. Click on Change primary domain.
2. A dropdown list will appear with your available domains.
3. Select your new desired domain and click Save.

Step 4: Verify Your New Domain

After you’ve made the change, it's crucial to verify that your new domain works properly. Type your new domain into a web browser to ensure that it directs you to your store.

While these steps seem straightforward, there’s additional information you should know about integrating your new domain into your marketing and maintaining SEO.

SEO Implications of Changing Your Domain

Changing your domain name can have short-term negative effects on your search engine optimization (SEO). However, careful planning can help mitigate these issues:

1. Set Up 301 Redirects

One of the most important SEO precautions involves setting up 301 redirects from your old domain to your new domain. This will guide visitors who use the old domain directly to your new one and help preserve your search engine rankings.

2. Update External Links

If other websites have linked to your old domain, it's beneficial to reach out and request that they update their links to your new domain. This will help in maintaining your authority and visibility online.

3. Notify Your Customers and Followers

Once you change your domain, communicate this change to your customers through newsletters, social media, and website announcements. This helps avoid confusion and reinforces your new branding.

Integrating with Tevello: Leveraging Your New Domain

As we focus on enhancing your Shopify presence, it’s essential to remember that each change you make in your store should align with your overall business strategy. At Tevello, we empower Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams by creating, managing, and selling online courses or digital products directly from their online store.

Changing your domain can be a great time to consider launching an online course. Our easy-to-use features allow you to craft compelling courses that attract and engage your audience. With our platform, you can build vibrant online communities that enhance customer retention, all while showcasing your expertise.

To discover how Tevello can elevate your Shopify experience, install the app and start your 14-day free trial today.

Common Questions About Changing Your Shopify Domain

Navigating the nuances of changing your Shopify domain may raise several questions. Here are some frequently asked queries:

What is the Difference Between My Shopify Domain and My Store Name?

Your store name is what appears to the public on your Shopify store, whereas your domain is the actual web address. While they can be the same, having a memorable domain that resonates with your brand can be more impactful for marketing.

Can I Use an Existing Domain with Shopify?

Yes, if you already have an external domain, you can connect it to your Shopify store by accessing the Domains section in your admin panel and selecting the option to connect an existing domain.

How Can I Buy a Custom Domain Through Shopify?

To purchase a domain directly from Shopify, go to Online Store > Domains and click on the Buy new domain option. Enter your desired domain name, check its availability, and proceed to checkout.

Will Changing My Domain Affect My SEO?

Changing your domain can temporarily affect your SEO. To minimize this impact, it's crucial to set up 301 redirects, update external links, and inform your customers about the change.

How Long Will It Take for My New Domain to Work?

Once you've completed the necessary steps to change your domain, it typically takes a few minutes to a few hours for the changes to propagate. However, in some cases, it can take up to 48 hours.

Conclusion

In the competitive landscape of e-commerce, changing your Shopify domain is a strategic step towards reinforcing your brand identity and improving customer recognition. Whether it’s for rebranding, expansion, or SEO optimization, the rewards of a well-chosen and managed domain can be substantial.

At Tevello, we are dedicated to providing Shopify merchants with the tools they need to succeed. By integrating courses and community into your business model through our all-in-one platform, we help you stay ahead in your niche market.

Don’t hesitate to take this important step for your business. Start your 14-day free trial with Tevello today and experience firsthand how it can transform your Shopify store.

FAQ

What is Shopify Domain?

A Shopify domain is your online store's address (URL) that customers use to access it.

How to Change Shopify Domain?

To change your Shopify domain, go to your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store > Domains, and select Change primary domain.

How Long Does It Take for Domain Changes to Propagate?

Typically, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours for your new domain to be fully functional after changing it.

Can I Buy a Domain Through Shopify?

Yes, you can purchase a domain directly from Shopify via the Online Store > Domains section in your admin panel.

How Can I Connect My Existing Domain to Shopify?

You can connect your domain from an outside registrar by changing the DNS settings to point to Shopify’s servers following your domain host's instructions.

With the right planning, changing your Shopify domain can strengthen your brand presence and position your store for future growth. Here’s to seizing new opportunities!