Connecting a custom domain to your Shopify store is essential before launch. Without it, customers see yourstore.myshopify.com — which undermines trust immediately. This guide covers the exact DNS records required and the setup process for major domain registrars.
Option 1: Buy a Domain Through Shopify
The simplest path. Go to Settings → Domains → Buy new domain. Shopify registers the domain and configures all DNS records automatically. SSL activates within minutes. Domains cost £11–£15/year for .com and similar TLDs. The tradeoff: you cannot use Shopify for domain email hosting, so you will need a separate email provider such as Google Workspace or Zoho Mail.
Option 2: Connect an Existing Domain
Go to Settings → Domains → Connect existing domain. Enter your domain name and click Next. Shopify shows you the exact DNS records to create at your registrar.
Required DNS Records
| Record Type | Host / Name | Value / Points To | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A record | @ (root domain) | 23.227.38.65 | 3600 |
| CNAME record | www | shops.myshopify.com | 3600 |
These two records are all you need. The A record points your root domain (yoursite.com) to Shopify’s servers. The CNAME record points www.yoursite.com to Shopify’s network. Both must be in place before SSL can activate.
GoDaddy DNS Setup
- Log in to GoDaddy and go to My Products → Domains.
- Click DNS next to your domain.
- Find the existing A record pointing to a GoDaddy parking page and edit it. Change the value to 23.227.38.65.
- Find the CNAME record for www and edit it. Change the value to shops.myshopify.com.
- Save changes. GoDaddy DNS propagates within 30–60 minutes.
Namecheap DNS Setup
- Log in to Namecheap and go to Domain List → Manage.
- Click the Advanced DNS tab.
- Under Host Records, find the A record with Host “@” and edit the value to 23.227.38.65.
- Find the CNAME record with Host “www” and edit the value to shops.myshopify.com.
- Save all changes. Propagation takes 30 minutes to 2 hours.
SSL Certificate Activation
After DNS propagates, return to Shopify Settings → Domains. Shopify checks the DNS records and issues an SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt automatically. You do not pay for SSL — it is included with all paid Shopify plans. The process typically takes 20–60 minutes after DNS propagation completes.
If SSL shows “unavailable” after 24 hours, the most common cause is a CNAME record pointing to the wrong value or a conflicting CAA record at your registrar blocking automated certificate issuance.
Setting the Primary Domain and www Redirect
In Settings → Domains, set your primary domain (typically the non-www version: yoursite.com). Shopify automatically redirects all traffic from www.yoursite.com and your myshopify.com subdomain to the primary domain. No additional redirect rules are needed.
Email Forwarding
Shopify does not provide email hosting. To receive emails at [email protected], you have two options: set up email forwarding through your registrar (free, forwards to Gmail or any inbox), or use Google Workspace (£5/user/month) or Zoho Mail (free tier available) for a full business email solution. Add the required MX records at your registrar for either option.
For stores requiring technical DNS configurations alongside a custom Shopify build, our Shopify development team handles domain, SSL, and email setup as part of every new store launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DNS propagation take for Shopify domains?
DNS propagation typically takes 30 minutes to 24 hours. Most propagation completes within 2 hours. Use whatsmydns.net to check whether your A record has propagated globally before troubleshooting SSL issues.
Can I connect multiple domains to one Shopify store?
Yes. You can connect up to 10 domains to a single Shopify store. All domains redirect to the primary domain automatically. This is useful for holding domain variants (yoursite.co.uk redirecting to yoursite.com, for example).
What happens to my myshopify.com domain after I connect a custom domain?
Your myshopify.com subdomain remains active permanently and always redirects to your primary custom domain. It is also the URL you use to log in to your Shopify admin. You cannot change or delete the myshopify.com subdomain.
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