How to Transfer Domain to Shopify

Virginia Miller

If you're looking to transfer your domain to Shopify, you've come to the right place. This post will walk you through transferring a third-party domain to Shopify. We'll also provide tips on making the most of Shopify's features and apps to grow your business. So let's get started!

The eCommerce industry has been registering unprecedented numbers in terms of growth. In 2022, almost 21% of sales will be made through online purchases, and the eCommerce market might reach a total value of nearly $5.5 trillion in 2022. What can a business do to capitalize on the benefits of eCommerce? The obvious answer would suggest that you transfer the domain to Shopify, the biggest eCommerce platform right now. It has many exciting features and apps to drive your business forward in the digital space. The following post helps you learn how to transfer a third-party domain to Shopify alongside an in-depth understanding of the essential requirements.

What is Shopify, and Why Use It?

Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform that powers over 1 million online stores. It offers powerful features like drag-and-drop store building, payment processing, shipping management and more to help businesses sell online.

There are many benefits to using Shopify for your online store:

Easy Store Setup

Shopify makes it easy for anyone to create a beautiful, functional online store. You don't need any coding or design experience. The intuitive drag-and-drop builder and professional themes help you launch your store quickly.

Top-Notch eCommerce Features

Shopify comes packed with everything you need to run an online store. Product listings, cart and checkout, payments, shipping, taxes, reporting - it's all built right in.

Robust App and Theme Store

Enhance your Shopify store's looks and functionality with apps and themes. Shopify offers a rich app store with thousands of integrations for marketing, accounting, fulfillment and more. The theme store has beautiful designs to match any brand.

High-Level Security

Shopify utilizes top security technology and infrastructure to keep your and your customers' data safe. It is PCI compliant and protects against fraud and abuse.

Excellent Support

Shopify offers 24/7 support via live chat, email and phone. The support team is highly knowledgeable and responsive in solving issues.

Transferring Your Domain to Shopify

If you already own a domain name, you can transfer it over to Shopify instead of purchasing a new one. Here are the steps to transfer an external domain:

Using Shopify's Domain Registrar

Shopify has its own domain registration service built in. To use it:

  1. Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Online Store > Domains
  2. Click "Transfer Domain" and enter your current domain
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to transfer the domain to Shopify
  4. It takes up to 5 days to fully transfer
  5. Once complete, set up DNS settings to point the domain to your Shopify store

Using a Third-Party Registrar

If your domain is registered with a provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc. you can still transfer it over. The steps are:

  1. Go to Domains in your Shopify admin
  2. Search for your domain and click the "Transfer" button
  3. Follow your registrar's transfer process to point the domain to Shopify

Conclusion

Transferring an existing domain to Shopify is simple and opens up all the benefits the platform offers. With the domain set up, you can fully leverage Shopify's selling features, support and integrations. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Recommended: How To Switch From Wix To Shopify?

Commonly Asked Questions

Why should I transfer my domain to Shopify?

Transferring your existing domain to Shopify unlocks all of the platform's built-in ecommerce features. It also enables you to use Shopify's themes, support, and app integrations for your online store.

What are the requirements to transfer a domain?

You need to own and have access to the domain name. It must be over 60 days old, and you'll need the authorization code from your current registrar. Your registration email cannot be a domain-based one.

How long does a domain transfer take?

The entire domain transfer process can take up to 5 days in most cases. However, it's usually fully completed in 1-2 days.

Will my website be down during the transfer?

There may be a small period of downtime during the actual transfer process. This window is typically short, but prepare for up to 12-24 hours.

What happens if my transfer fails?

Domain transfer failures are rare if all prerequisites are met. Reach out to Shopify support if you encounter any issues to troubleshoot and retry the transfer.

Can I transfer multiple domains to Shopify?

Yes, you can transfer an unlimited number of domains over to Shopify if you plan to run multiple online stores.

Is there a fee to transfer domains?

Shopify charges a small domain transfer fee. However, it may be free if you use Shopify's built-in domain registration system. Check current pricing on the fees page.

Who do I contact for help with transfers?

You can get assistance via Shopify's 24/7 customer support through live chat or by opening a support ticket from your Shopify admin.