Buying a domain through Shopify

This page was printed on Dec 07, 2021. For the current version, visit https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains/add-a-domain/buying-domains.

To help you set up your domain and manage all your domain settings from your Shopify admin, you can buy a domain through Shopify. If this domain is the first domain that you add to Shopify, then it's automatically configured to be the web address that’s displayed to customers. If you already use a domain with your store, then the new domain automatically redirects to your primary domain.

After you buy your domain through Shopify, you can do the following tasks on the Domains in your Shopify admin:

  • editing your domain settings
  • creating subdomains
  • setting up forwarding email addresses
  • paying for your domain
  • renewing your domain

Domains purchased through Shopify are registered for one year, and can be renewed annually. After you buy a domain, you can’t change the URL that you chose during purchase. Domain purchases are non-refundable.

Considerations before you buy a domain through Shopify

Before you buy a domain through Shopify, review the following considerations:

  • Email hosting services aren't provided on Shopify. Instead, you can connect your Shopify-managed domain to a third-party email hosting service.
  • Some domain extensions include WHOIS privacy, which is a service that keeps your personal contact information hidden from public domain registration records. If you want WHOIS privacy, then make sure that your domain extension isn't on the WHOIS exceptions list.
  • Some domain extensions have specific residency or business registration requirements. Make sure that you can meet these requirements, because you might need to verify your registration information. If you can't meet these requirements, then your domain might be suspended.
  • A new SSL certificate is created automatically when you buy a domain through Shopify. You don’t need to buy SSL encryption for your domain.
  • You need to pay the registration fee every year to renew your domain subscription. Domain renewals are charged separately from your monthly subscription charges. The exact pricing depends on which domain extension you choose.
  • Domain hosting services are only available with a paid Shopify plan. If you want to close your store or your Shopify account, and you want to keep using your domain, then you need to transfer your domain before you close your store. You can transfer your domain to one of the following:

Buy a domain through Shopify

Before you buy a custom domain through Shopify, check the price and availability of your domain name by using Shopify's domain name generator. Domains purchased through Shopify start at $11 USD per year. The exact pricing depends on which top-level domain (TLD) extension you choose. The availability of TLDs is subject to change.

The domain name generator displays the availability of your chosen domain name, as well as other available TLDs and alternative domain names. If your chosen domain name or TLD isn't available, then you can choose one of the suggested options or start a new search.

Step 1: Select the domain name that you want to buy

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
  2. Click Buy new domain.
  3. Enter the domain name that you want to buy.
  4. Review the available domain extensions and their prices.
  5. Click Buy next to the domain that you want to buy.

Step 2: Review the purchase summary

  1. Review the PERSONAL INFORMATION to confirm that the Shopify store owner's email address and information are correct.
  2. Optional: If you want your domain to be renewed automatically before it expires, then check Auto-renew this domain every year.
  3. Confirm whether this domain extension includes WHOIS Privacy, a service that keeps your personal contact information hidden from public domain registration records:
    • If the domain name that you enter includes WHOIS privacy, then a message is displayed that the domain includes WHOIS privacy.
    • If you don't receive this message and you want WHOIS privacy on your domain, then click Cancel and select a different domain extension that isn't on the WHOIS Exceptions list.
  4. Read the ICANN policy and the Domain Registration Agreement.
  5. Click Buy domain.

It can take up to 48 hours for your domain to start working. If this domain is the first domain that you add to Shopify, then it's automatically configured to be the web address that’s displayed to customers. If you already use a domain with your store, then the new domain automatically redirects to your primary domain.

Step 3: Verify your email address

After you buy a domain, you must verify your email address to complete your domain registration. Check your email account for several emails from Shopify that you need to review. These emails include details about the following:

  • confirming your purchase
  • verifying your email address
  • managing how your data is shared.

If you don't receive an email about verifying your email address, then check your email inbox's spam folder or resend the verification email from your Shopify admin. If you don't verify your email address, then your domain might be suspended.

Verifying your registration information

Some domain extensions have restrictions or registration requirements when you buy a domain through Shopify. For example, to use a .ca domain for Canada or a .fr domain for France, you need to meet certain residency and business registration requirements. These domain extensions have specific registry organizations that manage their registrations. If you’re the domain owner, then these organizations can contact you periodically to verify that you meet their residency or registration requirements.

When you buy a domain through Shopify, your store’s information is automatically used to complete your domain registration. This information includes your business name, personal name, address, and phone number.

If a registry organization contacts you to verify your domain, then you need to provide proof of your registration information. Each registry organization has different requirements for what kinds of documentation you can provide, for example, a passport, business bills, or proof of business address. If you change your business address or have difficulty proving your registration information, then contact Shopify Support.

Next steps after buying a domain

After you buy a domain, you can do the following:

WHOIS exceptions

The following domain extensions don't include WHOIS privacy when you buy a custom domain through Shopify. If you buy one of these domain extensions, then your personal contact information is available in public domain registration records.

Top-level domains that don't include WHOIS privacy
.abogado .ac .ae .aero .africa
.ag .ai .alsace .am .ar
.archi .as .asia .at .au
.auto .barcelona .bayern .be .berlin
.br .brussels .bzh .cat .cd
.ch .cl .cm .cologne .coop
.corsica .cx .cz .de .ec
.es .feedback .fi .fm .fr
.frl .gd .gg .gl .gr
.gs .gy .hamburg .hk .hm
.hn .hr .ht .hu .il
.im .in .io .is .je
.jobs .jp .kg .ki .kr
.la .law .lc .li .lt
.lu .lv .ly .ma .md
.melbourne .mn .ms .mu .mx
.my .nl .no .nrw .nu
.nyc .paris .pe .ph .pl
.pm .pr .pro .pt .pw
.qa .quebec .re .rio .ro
.ru .ruhr .sb .sc .scot
.se .sg .sh .si .so
.sr .srl .st .sx .sydney
.tc .tf .tk .tl .tm
.to .travel .tw .ua .us
.uy .vc .ve .vg .vlaanderen
.vote .voto .wf .wien .yt
.za

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