Storefront Notes

How-to's · Shopify · 3 min read

How Much Is a Shopify Domain?

By the Storefront Notes Editorial Team · Updated

Short answer

Every Shopify store gets a free myshopify.com address. A custom domain bought through Shopify costs a yearly fee that depends on the extension: common ones like .com usually sit in the low-to-mid teens of US dollars per year, while specialty extensions can cost more. Renewals are billed annually and separately from your plan.

A domain is one of the smallest costs of running an online store and one of the most visible. Here's how pricing works on Shopify and when it makes sense to buy elsewhere.

The free option: myshopify.com

Every store gets an address like yourstore.myshopify.com at no extra cost. It works fine for testing and early sales, but it looks unfinished to shoppers and you can't change it later. Most stores move to a custom domain before launch.

Buying a domain through Shopify

Shopify sells domains directly from the admin under Settings > Domains > Buy new domain. Prices depend on the extension (TLD). Shopify doesn't publish a single flat price because each registry sets its own rates, so the domain search shows the price beside each option.

As a rough guide:

  • .com, .net, .co and similar mainstream extensions are generally priced in the range you'd pay at most registrars, typically low-to-mid teens of US dollars per year.
  • .store, .shop, .online can be cheap in year one at some registrars but renew higher. Check the renewal price, not just the first-year price.
  • Country domains (.ca, .co.uk, .fr) vary, and some have residency rules. Shopify notes that extensions like .ca and .fr have registration requirements.

Shopify registers domains for one year and turns on auto-renewal by default. Renewal is billed separately from your monthly plan. Shopify also lists purchases as non-refundable, so double-check spelling.

What's included

Domains bought through Shopify come with DNS set up automatically, a free SSL certificate once connected and WHOIS privacy where the extension allows it. You'll need to verify your email address within 15 days of purchase or the domain can be suspended. That email lands in the account owner's inbox, so watch for it.

Buying elsewhere and connecting

You can also buy from a registrar such as Cloudflare, Namecheap, Porkbun or Squarespace Domains and connect it to Shopify under Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain. You point an A record and a CNAME at Shopify, and the store loads on your domain.

Reasons to buy outside Shopify:

  • You want email hosting at the registrar.
  • You manage several domains in one place.
  • Some registrars sell at wholesale cost with no markup on renewals.
  • You want full DNS control for things like custom subdomains or verification records.

Reasons to buy through Shopify:

  • Zero DNS configuration.
  • One bill and one dashboard.
  • Fewer things to break when you're new.

Neither choice is wrong. If you buy elsewhere, use the same login security habits you'd use for your store, because losing your domain is far worse than losing a theme.

Hidden costs to watch

  • Email: Shopify doesn't host mailboxes. It offers email forwarding for domains it manages, but if you want you@yourbrand.com as a full inbox, you'll need Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or similar.
  • Premium domains: Short or dictionary-word domains can be listed at premium prices. These sometimes carry premium renewals too.
  • Multiple extensions: Some brands buy .com, .co and common misspellings to protect the name. Useful, but costs add up.

Picking the right name

Short, easy to spell and pronounceable beats clever. Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they're part of the brand. Say it out loud to someone and ask them to type it. If you're still choosing a name, see our list of Shopify store name ideas.

After you buy

  1. Set the new domain as primary.
  2. Keep "redirect all traffic to this domain" turned on.
  3. Wait for the SSL certificate. If it hangs, read what "SSL pending" means.
  4. Update your homepage SEO title and social profiles.

Domain cost is minor next to plan fees and processing rates. For the full picture, see our guide to what percent Shopify takes.

Frequently asked questions

Is a domain included in Shopify plans?

No. You get a free myshopify.com subdomain, but a custom domain is a separate annual purchase.

Are Shopify domain purchases refundable?

Shopify states that domain purchases are non-refundable, so check spelling before buying.

Can I move a domain bought elsewhere to Shopify?

Yes. You can either connect it (keep it at your registrar and point DNS) or transfer it so Shopify manages renewals.

Sources and further reading

Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.

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