How to Connect Shopify to Your Own Domain

Introduction

Shopify is a very popular “all-in-one” online store platform, especially in the English-speaking market. Unlike WooCommerce or PrestaShop, which you install on your own hosting, Shopify hosts your store on its own servers.

One of the first tasks when using Shopify is connecting your own domain (for example mystore.com) so your store has a professional address, instead of the default address (mystore.myshopify.com).

In this article you’ll see how to do it step by step.

Why use your own domain with Shopify

Using your own domain has several advantages:

• Professional image. An address like mystore.com conveys much more trust than mystore.myshopify.com.
• Branding. The domain reinforces your business name.
• SEO. A custom domain ranks better in Google than a subdomain.
• Professional email. With your own domain you can have emails like sales@mystore.com.

[Imagen sugerida: visual comparison between a myshopify.com address and a custom domain]

Step 1: Have your own domain

You need a registered domain. You can:

• Buy the domain with Shopify directly from their dashboard. It’s the most convenient because Shopify manages everything.
• Buy the domain with another provider, such as a domain registrar, and connect it to Shopify.

If you don’t have a domain yet, you can register one with us. At miHosting we offer domain registration at a good price, with easy management and technical support in Spanish.

Step 2: Connect a domain purchased outside Shopify

If you bought the domain with another provider, you must connect it to Shopify by changing the DNS.

From the Shopify dashboard

1. Log in to the Shopify admin dashboard.
2. Go to Settings → Domains.
3. Click Connect existing domain.
4. Enter your domain, for example mystore.com.
5. Shopify will show you the DNS records you need to configure at your domain provider.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the Shopify domains dashboard]

From your domain provider’s dashboard

1. Log in to your domain provider’s dashboard.

2. Find the DNS or DNS Management section.

3. Configure the records Shopify indicates:

   • A record: points to Shopify’s IP address.
   • CNAME record: points www to shops.myshopify.com.

4. Save the changes.

DNS changes take between a few minutes and 48 hours to propagate. During that time, your domain may not work correctly.

Step 3: Change the primary domain in Shopify

Once the domain is connected and DNS has propagated:

1. Go back to Settings → Domains in Shopify.
2. Verify that your domain appears as connected.
3. Click Change primary domain.
4. Select your own domain as primary.

From that moment, when someone types mystore.com, they’ll enter your Shopify store.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the change primary domain option in Shopify]

Step 4: Configure SSL

Shopify includes a free SSL certificate on all plans. When you connect your domain, Shopify activates SSL automatically.

To check it:

1. Open your store with your custom domain.
2. Verify that the address starts with https:// and that the security padlock appears.

If the SSL doesn’t appear immediately, wait a few hours. Sometimes Shopify takes time to issue the certificate after connecting the domain.

Shopify vs WordPress + WooCommerce: what to consider

Although Shopify is convenient to start, there are important differences compared to having your own store on your hosting:

Aspect	Shopify	WooCommerce (your hosting)
Monthly cost	Fixed Shopify fee	You only pay for hosting
Full control	Limited (Shopify hosts everything)	Total (you control the hosting)
Per-sale commission	Yes, if you don’t use Shopify Payments	Only your payment gateway’s
Customization	Limited to Shopify themes and apps	Almost unlimited with plugins
Migration	Hard to leave Shopify	Your store is yours, move it whenever you want
SEO	Good, but limited	Excellent with WordPress plugins

Shopify is a good option to start quickly without worrying about hosting. But if you want full control, no per-sale commissions and real ownership of your store, WooCommerce on your own hosting is usually more profitable in the medium and long term.

Useful tips

• Register your domain with an independent provider. Although Shopify sells domains, having the domain separately gives you more freedom if you ever change platforms.
• Point both the www record and the root domain. Configure both mystore.com and www.mystore.com so both work.
• Wait for DNS propagation. Don’t panic if the domain doesn’t work immediately. Propagation can take up to 48 hours.
• Configure your domain email. With your own domain you can have professional emails. Review how to set it up with your provider.
• Set up a 301 redirect if you’re coming from another address, so you don’t lose SEO or visitors.

Common problems

My domain doesn’t load after connecting it

DNS changes take time to propagate. If more than 48 hours have passed and it still doesn’t work, check that the A and CNAME records are correctly configured at your domain provider.

The SSL padlock doesn’t appear

Shopify activates SSL automatically, but sometimes it takes a few hours. If after 24 hours it doesn’t appear, contact Shopify support.

The www domain doesn’t work

Make sure you’ve configured the CNAME record for www pointing to shops.myshopify.com. Without this record, www.yourdomain.com won’t work.

I have the domain in Shopify but want to move it elsewhere

You can transfer your domain from Shopify to another registrar. The process takes a few days and requires unlocking the domain and obtaining the authorization code.

My domain email has stopped working

If you change DNS to point to Shopify, your email records (MX) may be affected. Make sure to correctly configure MX records at your domain provider to continue receiving email.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Shopify with a domain purchased elsewhere?

Yes. Most users connect a domain purchased from another provider by changing DNS records.

Does Shopify charge to connect a domain?

No. Connecting an existing domain is free. What costs money is buying a new domain through Shopify.

How long does DNS propagation take?

Usually between a few minutes and 48 hours. It depends on the domain provider and intermediate DNS servers.

Do I need separate SSL with Shopify?

No. Shopify includes a free SSL certificate on all plans. You don’t need to buy or configure a separate one.

Is Shopify better or having my own store on my hosting?

It depends. Shopify is more convenient to start without worrying about hosting. But if you want full control, no per-sale commissions and real ownership of your store, WooCommerce on your own hosting is usually more profitable long-term.

Your domain, your identity

Connecting your own domain to Shopify is a simple but important step: it gives your store a professional address, improves your image and reinforces your brand. You just need to buy the domain, configure the DNS and wait for it to propagate.

If you don’t yet have a domain or prefer to have full control of your online store, at miHosting we offer domain registration, hosting optimized for WooCommerce and complete online store design from €350. With your own hosting you control your entire store, with no per-sale commissions and with support from real technicians. Open a ticket from your client panel and we’ll advise you.