You’ll need a domain name if you’re going to use Shopify to start an online store. So, should I buy my domain through Shopify? This is the most basic question that arises when starting a new online store.

There are two ways to purchase a domain name: either through Shopify or a third-party registrar (like Namecheap). It’s easy to set up and buy a domain name with Shopify, but there are some drawbacks, such as higher costs, a lack of control and flexibility, as well as a lengthy and stressful process of moving your domain name to another provider.

A Shopify-hosted domain is a good option if you’re short on time and don’t want to deal with the complexities of setting up your own domain. However, it is always advisable to have a different domain name registrar (Such as Namecheap) than your hosting provider in the long run.

Should You Buy Domain From Shopify?

Shopify offers a 14-day free trial and the option to use a Shopify subdomain to set up an online store. Subdomains are typically used for testing and not for final production websites because they do not provide brand recognition. If you want to build your brand, you should always use a custom domain.

A major selling point of Shopify domains is that they are simple to set up for Shopify store owners. There are both advantages and disadvantages to purchasing your domain name through Shopify.

The fact that you can sign up and design your own shop is a big plus here. You’ll need a custom domain when you’re ready to launch your brand.

The main selling point of Shopify domains is the ease with which you can register a domain name. Both Shopify and the end-user benefit because the process of registering and renewing domain names is made simple for both of you.

However, unless you want to spend the extra money and keep your services with one company, I would always recommend registering your domain with NameCheap. As a result, you will be able to easily transition your store from Shopify to another platform as your brand grows.

Pros And Cons Of Shopify As Domain Registrar

The following are the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a domain from Shopify.

Pros:

It’s best to go with Shopify if you’re looking for a platform that does everything for you and doesn’t require any configuration.
Email with your Shopify domain is set up automatically and does not need to be set up manually.
Inbuilt integration with the domain and a complete guide for the setup is present on their website.

Cons:

The main disadvantage of purchasing a domain through Shopify is the cost. Buying a domain name and email hosting from a different registrar is generally cheaper.
You can lose your domain as well if you forget to renew your hosting plans.
Domain Transfer can be a hectic process if you are new to web hosting.

Why Choose Custom Domain Registrar For Shopify?

Because of the features and reasons listed below, I recommend using Namecheap as a custom domain registrar rather than the more expensive Shopify as an option.

Keep Your Hosting And Domain Services Separate

In general, it’s not a good idea to have all of your needs met by a single service provider. Shopify would be your one-stop shop for all of your online business’s needs. Your domain name, web hosting, content management system (CMS), and an online store website builder are all connected. All under the umbrella of the same business.

What if you decide to leave Shopify in the future and need to move your store to a different platform? If your domain name is registered through them, things get a little more difficult. Domain name transfers are possible, but the process is time-consuming and expensive in terms of both time and money.

As a result, why not save money by storing your domains at the same place they were registered? To add insult to injury, Shopify is already registering the domain name on your behalf and then charging you a small fee to make money. Instead of relying on Shopify, why not register directly with the state?

This makes moving away from Shopify a breeze because you don’t have to worry about transferring your website’s domain to another domain name provider like Namecheap or Porkbun.

Cheaper Domain Names and Lower Renewal Cost

In terms of domain name registration and renewal, Namecheap is simply the cheapest. Because you can only register a domain name for a year at a time, this costs money each year if you don’t use a domain name registrar.

Registration comes with a lifetime of free WHOIS protection as well. Shopify does not include WHOIS protection, and adding it would increase the cost of registering through the platform.

The purpose of WHOIS protection is to conceal the information about you that you provided when you registered your domain name. Namecheap provides this service for free, unlike most web hosts.

A Domain Name That Establishes Your Brand

Finally, you’ll need a professional domain name for your business. Starting a new store on Shopify.com with a subdomain like YouNewShopifyStore.Shopify.com is very simple with Shopify. In order to build an online store that people will trust, you should use a custom domain instead of just a subdomain.

You should always choose a domain name that will serve as your brand name in the long run. Also, keep in mind that it should be unique and easy to remember, so always consider registering a domain name with a maximum of two words.

How To Use Custom Domain With Shopify?

If you have decided to register your custom domain with our recommended registrar Namecheap, we have already provided a helpful guide on how to set up a Namecheap domain name with Shopify.

After you have completed the custom DNS setup using the above guide, you can proceed with the setup using the steps listed below on Shopify.

Go to Online Store > Domains in your Shopify admin to manage your domains.
To connect an existing domain, select Connect existing domain.
Input the domain name to which you want to connect (the domain you registered at Namecheap).
Select the Next button on the screen.
Select “Connect automatically” on the screen.

Alternatively, you can watch the Shopify video below to learn how to set up a custom domain on your Shopify website for your store.

Wrap Up

You can point your domain name to Shopify from Namecheap with a few clicks, but it’s better to separate your services. It is strongly recommended that you do not mix your domain names with those of your web host.

You should only register your domain with Shopify instead if you’re looking for simplicity and don’t want to deal with any configuration.

If you have any problems setting up your Shopify website, please let me know in the comments section and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Further Read:

Should I Buy My Domain Through Shopify? Complete Guide