How to Change Your Shopify Store Web Address: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify Store addresses
3. When to Change Your Shopify Store Web Address
4. How to Change Your Shopify Store Web Address
5. Best Practices for Handling Your Shopify Web Address
6. How Tevello Supports Your E-Commerce Journey

Introduction

Did you know that nearly 80% of eCommerce businesses fail within the first 18 months? This startling statistic underscores the importance of establishing a strong online presence right from the outset. For many Shopify merchants, a significant part of that presence is tied to their store's web address or domain name. Imagine a budding entrepreneur who has built a thriving business but realizes their original URL doesn’t align with their brand identity. How can they change their store's web address to reflect their vision better?

At Tevello, we understand that adapting your online presence is crucial for growth and customer retention. As you aim to diversify your revenue streams and foster deeper community connections, a well-chosen web address can play a pivotal role in your eCommerce success. In this blog post, we will explore the steps to change your Shopify store's web address, discuss best practices for selecting a domain name, and share how our all-in-one solution can empower you in this process.

We aim to provide a clear, step-by-step guide on how to change your Shopify store web address while highlighting the integral elements of this transition. So, are you ready to enhance your eCommerce strategy by rebranding online?

Understanding Shopify Store addresses

Before we dive into the mechanics of changing your Shopify store web address, let's clarify a few terms that are essential for this discussion:

1. myshopify.com URL: This is the default domain that Shopify assigns you when you create your store. It follows the format yourstorename.myshopify.com. This address is primarily used for logging into your Shopify admin and may also serve as a fallback for customers if you haven't set a custom domain.
2. Custom Domain: This refers to a unique domain that you set up for your store, such as yourstorename.com. A custom domain offers better branding opportunities and can help in building customer trust more effectively compared to using the default myshopify.com address.
3. Subdomains: These are extensions of your main domain (e.g., blog.yourstorename.com). They can help you organize different sections of your business without needing a completely new domain.

Transitioning to a more appropriate domain name or web address can significantly enhance your marketing efforts, making it easier for existing customers to remember your site and improving search engine optimization (SEO) outcomes.

When to Change Your Shopify Store Web Address

There are several scenarios when changing your Shopify store's web address makes sense:

• Rebranding: If you're pivoting your business focus or have refreshed your brand identity, aligning your web address with your new branding is essential.
• Expansion: As you grow, you might want to add product lines or services that your initial address doesn’t represent. A more fitting domain can encapsulate the new direction of your business.
• Local or Global Targeting: If your customer base is expanding geographically, you might consider a domain name that resonates better with international markets or local audiences.
• SEO Strategy: A keyword-rich domain can boost your search visibility. If your current domain lacks strategic keywords, rebranding can be an opportunity to enhance your SEO stance.
• Professionalism and Credibility: A well-crafted custom domain signals reliability to your customers. It can foster trust and encourage repeat purchases.

Whatever the reason, understanding the steps and implications of changing your Shopify store's web address is crucial in making informed decisions for your business.

How to Change Your Shopify Store Web Address

Changing your Shopify web address isn’t as daunting as it seems; however, it requires careful execution. Below, we’ll break down the process into manageable steps.

Step 1: Choose a New Domain Name

Before making any changes in Shopify, you need to decide on the new web address. Here are some tips for choosing an effective domain name:

• Relevance: Ensure your domain name reflects your business identity and the products or services you offer.
• Simplicity: Opt for names that are easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. Avoid complicated spellings or long phrases.
• Keywords: Incorporating relevant keywords can enhance SEO, making it easier for customers to find you through search engines.
• Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: These can confuse customers and lead to mistakes when typing the web address.

Once you have decided on a domain name, it's advisable to check its availability before proceeding.

Step 2: Purchase Your New Domain

You can buy a new domain directly from Shopify, or you can purchase it from a third-party domain registrar. If buying from Shopify, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings > Domains.
3. Click Buy new domain and enter your desired domain name. Select your new domain and complete the purchase.

Conversely, if you opt to buy a domain from an external provider, make sure to follow their instructions for connecting the new domain to your Shopify store.

Step 3: Change the 'myshopify.com' Domain

You can only change your myshopify.com domain once. Follow these steps to do so:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
2. Find the section labeled myshopify.com and click on Change to a new myshopify.com domain next to the existing domain.
3. Enter your new desired myshopify domain name and click Add domain.
4. Click Save.

Once you change your URL, you'll receive a confirmation message, and any visitors to the old myshopify.com domain will be redirected to the new one automatically.

Step 4: Set Your Custom Domain as Primary

If you purchased a new domain, you'll want it to be your primary URL. To do this:

1. Go back to Settings > Domains in your Shopify admin.
2. Locate your new custom domain in the list and click on Set as primary.

Once this is done, your custom domain will now be the main address customers see when they visit your store.

Step 5: Update Your Marketing Materials

After changing your store's web address, ensure all your marketing materials reflect the new URLs. This includes social media profiles, email signatures, business cards, and any active advertising campaigns. Consistency is key to avoid losing potential customers who may attempt to reach your store via outdated links.

Step 6: Monitor or Set Up Redirects

If you've changed your URL, customers who type in your old URL should be seamlessly redirected to the new one. Shopify will handle this automatically for the myshopify.com domain. However, if you have a custom domain or subdomain that you're changing, make sure to set up proper redirects. This helps preserve incoming traffic and ensures that all visitors reach the correct pages.

Best Practices for Handling Your Shopify Web Address

Now that you've learned how to change your Shopify store's web address, consider these practices to enhance the effectiveness of your transition:

• Communicate with Customers: Notify your customers about the change in advance through newsletters or store announcements, making them aware of the benefits linked to your new web address.
• SEO Optimization: Update your website’s SEO settings. Set new meta titles and descriptions using keywords associated with your business in the new URL.
• Check Analytics: After the change, watch your website traffic analytics to see how the change affects your SEO and traffic source balance. Adjust strategies based on collected data.
• Engage with the Tevello Community: By using Tevello, you can also engage with our vibrant community, getting support and advice from fellow merchants who may have undergone similar transitions.

How Tevello Supports Your E-Commerce Journey

At Tevello, we believe in the power of supporting Shopify merchants with all the tools they need to succeed, especially during pivotal changes like a web address transition. Our Shopify app provides an all-in-one solution for merchants looking to create, manage, and sell online courses and digital products, alongside building thriving online communities directly within their Shopify store.

With Tevello, you can:

• Easily Build Online Courses: Use our intuitive platform to develop your course curriculum. Connect with your audience through engaging content that truly resonates with them.
• Seamlessly Manage Your Digital Products: Sell your digital items without the complexities of various platforms.
• Foster Community Connections: Nurture relationships with your audience, ensuring they feel invested in your brand.
• Enjoy Flat-Rate Pricing: We offer straightforward pricing with no hidden fees, allowing you to focus on your growth rather than worrying about costs that can add up unexpectedly.

Ready to empower your Shopify store with a streamlined approach to online engagement? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and watch your eCommerce success soar.

FAQ

1. Can I change my 'myshopify.com' URL after I've already done it once?

Unfortunately, you can only change your Shopify store URL once. If you attempt to change it again, you'll need to set up a new store.

2. What happens to my old web address after I change it?

Shopify automatically sets up redirects so anyone visiting your old myshopify.com domain will be redirected to your new one. However, it’s essential to manage redirects for any custom domains you may be changing.

3. Why should I consider a custom domain for my Shopify store?

A custom domain enhances credibility, helps with brand recognition, and improves SEO. It also provides a clearer professional image to your customers.

4. How do I purchase a domain through Shopify?

To buy a domain through Shopify, navigate to your admin panel, go to Settings > Domains, and click on Buy New Domain. Follow the instructions to complete your purchase.

5. How can I optimize my new domain for SEO?

After changing your web address, update your website's meta titles, descriptions, and any other on-page SEO settings. Research appropriate keywords related to your business and ensure they are integrated naturally throughout your website content.

In conclusion, changing your Shopify store's web address can significantly impact your branding and customer experience. By following the outlined steps, best practices, and utilizing Tevello’s robust offerings, you set the stage for increased visibility and engagement within your community. Properly implemented, your transformation can indeed elevate your eCommerce journey.

Start your free trial with Tevello now, and let’s forge this path together as we build a sustainable and thriving online presence! Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today.