7 Steps to Connect a Shopify Custom Domain (2027)

Buy through Shopify or connect an existing domain

Before you change anything, decide which route you are on. Shopify’s documentation says you can use domains that you buy from Shopify or from any third-party domain provider, so neither route limits what your store can do. The difference is where the domain is registered and who manages its DNS.

Based on Shopify’s help center pages on managing domains, checked October 9, 2026.

If you buy a domain on Shopify, Shopify configures the connection for you, which removes the step most likely to go wrong. This guide covers the manual route for a domain you already own, because that is where store owners get stuck. If your store is not built yet, our guide to setting up a Shopify store shows where the domain fits among the other steps.

The 7 steps to connect a Shopify custom domain

Here is how to connect a domain to Shopify when you already own it, in the order that avoids the common failures.

1. Find your registrar login. You need access to the DNS settings of the account where the domain is registered. If you cannot log in, fix that first, because nothing else works without it.
2. Add the domain in Shopify. In your admin, go to Settings, then Domains, and select Connect existing domain. Enter the domain without a subdomain, so example.com, not www.example.com. Select Next, then Connect domain.
3. Open DNS management at your registrar. Each registrar labels this screen differently, for example DNS management, Advanced DNS or Manage DNS. The records are the same on GoDaddy, Namecheap and others.
4. Set the A record. Point host @ to 23.227.38.65. Delete any other A or AAAA records on the domain, because Shopify allows only one A record and one www CNAME.
5. Set the CNAME record. Point host www to shops.myshopify.com., keeping the trailing period. Keep the default TTL, then save your changes.
6. Wait and verify. The domain can take up to 48 hours to go live. In Settings, then Domains, the status changes to Connected when it works.
7. Set the primary domain. Choose which domain customers see. Shopify redirects any other domains to the primary one.

Plan for the full 48-hour window. Start this at least two days before you launch, because the connection is the one step you cannot rush. Our guide to publishing a Shopify store covers the other launch checks that depend on it.

Shopify DNS settings: the records you need

These are the values Shopify’s help center lists for a third-party domain, checked October 9, 2026.

Source: Shopify’s guide to connecting a third-party domain manually, checked October 9, 2026. Shopify can change these values, so copy them from the page above when you connect.

A few details trip people up:

• One A record, one www CNAME. Shopify says you can have only one of each associated with your domain. Other CNAME records are allowed, but each needs a unique name, such as shop.
• The AAAA record. If your host rejects the shortened form, use the expanded version, 2620:0127:f00f:0005:0000:0000:0000:0000.
• A slightly different IP is normal. After connecting, the last numbers of the A record may differ, for example 23.227.38.32. Shopify describes this as a valid regional variant, not an error.
• Nameservers. Use your provider’s default nameservers unless your DNS is managed elsewhere. They must respond and publish the records above. Domains managed by Shopify must use Shopify’s default nameservers.
• Other records. Do not delete email records such as MX or TXT without checking, because Shopify’s guide covers only the A, AAAA and CNAME records.

Shopify SSL: how it works and what pending means

You do not buy an SSL certificate for a Shopify store. Shopify issues TLS certificates for free and automatically for domains you buy or transfer through Shopify, and for third-party domains connected by pointing the A and CNAME records to Shopify. Third-party SSL certificates are not supported.

Source: Shopify’s guide to secure connections, checked October 9, 2026.

One setting can block a certificate. A CAA record specifies which certificate authorities can issue certificates for a domain. Most stores do not need one. If yours has one, Shopify says to add letsencrypt.org, pki.goog; cansignhttpexchanges=yes and ssl.com when you connect the domain.

Shopify domain not connecting: causes and fixes

Causes and fixes from Shopify’s help center, checked October 9, 2026.

If you have worked through the table and the store still will not connect, look at what changed last. A recent change of registrar, a new DNS host or a copied record with a typo is worth checking first.

What a Shopify domain costs

Shopify’s domain price guide says most domain names cost between $10 and $20 a year, and that Shopify domains typically range from $9 to $40 a year depending on the extension. A .com bought through Shopify typically costs around $11 to $14 a year according to the same guide, though prices differ by extension, so confirm the price at checkout. Shopify’s cost guide gives a similar $10 to $30 a year range for a store domain.

When you connect a domain you already own, it stays with your registrar and you pay its renewal there. Turn on auto-renewal either way, because an expired domain takes your store offline. For the full budget around the domain, our breakdown of Shopify website costs adds up the plan, theme and development lines.

After you connect: checks before launch

A connected domain is not the same as a finished launch. Before you take the store public, check these:

• The padlock shows on both the root domain and the www version.
• Only one address ranks. Confirm the other versions redirect to your primary domain.
• Old URLs redirect. If the domain replaces another site, load your redirects before launch. Our e-commerce migration services cover how that is planned so rankings are protected.
• Search Console is verified and your sitemap is submitted. Our 27-point Shopify SEO checklist lists each step.
• Email still works. If you send mail from the domain, test it after the DNS change.

If you would rather have someone run these checks with you, our Shopify development services team can handle the domain, DNS and launch QA together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect my existing domain to Shopify?

Go to Settings, then Domains in your Shopify admin and select Connect existing domain. Enter the domain without a subdomain, then add an A record for @ pointing to 23.227.38.65 and a CNAME record for www pointing to shops.myshopify.com at your registrar. Save and wait up to 48 hours.

Do I need my own domain name for Shopify?

You can start without one. Every store gets a free .myshopify.com address, but a custom domain is what customers remember and what you should publish. You can buy one from Shopify or connect one from another registrar.

How much does a Shopify domain cost?

Shopify says most domains cost $10 to $20 a year, and that domains bought through Shopify typically range from $9 to $40 a year depending on the extension. A .com typically costs around $11 to $14 a year according to Shopify’s guide. Confirm the price at checkout.

Is it better to buy a domain through GoDaddy or Shopify?

It depends on how you want to manage it. Shopify-managed domains let you handle renewals, subdomains, DNS and DMARC settings in your Shopify admin. A domain at another registrar stays separate from your store. Both routes get a free TLS certificate, so the choice is about convenience.

Will I lose my domain if I cancel Shopify?

A domain registered at a third-party registrar stays there, because you only pointed its records at Shopify. For a domain bought through Shopify, read Shopify’s guide to managing domain ownership and transfer the domain out before you close the store, so you do not lose it.

Can I get a domain from Shopify?

Yes. Shopify sells domains, and a domain bought there is managed from your Shopify admin. Shopify configures the connection for you, so you skip the manual DNS steps.

Does Shopify give you a free domain?

Shopify gives every store a free .myshopify.com address, which works as your store URL. A custom domain with your own brand name is a separate purchase from Shopify or another registrar.

How long does it take to connect a domain to Shopify?

Shopify says a connected domain can take up to 48 hours to be fully live. The TLS certificate for a connected third-party domain can take up to 48 hours as well. Start at least two days before you plan to launch.

Why is my Shopify SSL pending?

Shopify is still issuing the certificate, which can take up to 48 hours for a connected third-party domain. Leave your records unchanged while it runs. If you see a security warning after 48 hours, check your CAA records and follow Shopify’s SSL troubleshooting steps.

How do I change my domain name on Shopify?

Buy or connect the new domain in Settings, then Domains, then set it as your primary domain. Shopify redirects the old domain to the primary one. The .myshopify.com address can be changed only a limited number of times, so a custom domain is the better long-term fix.

Bottom Line

To set up a Shopify custom domain, connect it in Settings, then Domains, add one A record and one www CNAME at your registrar, and wait for Shopify to confirm the connection and issue the free SSL certificate. The records take minutes. The waiting takes up to 48 hours, so do it before launch day.

Delete conflicting records, keep your email records, set one primary domain and check the padlock on both versions of the address. If your domain is replacing an existing site, treat the redirects as part of the job. When you want the domain, DNS and launch checks handled together, our Shopify development services team can take it on.

Keyur Ajmera

President & Partner, Commerce Pundit

View All

I’m Keyur Ajmera, President & Partner at Commerce Pundit, where I bring over 17 years of experience at the intersection of digital commerce, technology, and AI innovation. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with industry leaders like Amazon, GE, Beats by Dre, NBC, CBS, the LAPD, and LA County, delivering transformative solutions that drive real impact. At Commerce Pundit, I lead a talented team across technology, operations, customer success, and strategy—all focused on helping our clients achieve extraordinary results. Under my leadership, we’ve grown our business to 9 figures, powered by a relentless commitment to innovation, AI-driven solutions, and customer success. Let’s connect and explore how we can harness technology and AI to elevate your business to new heights.