When you’re able to open your Shopify retailer, you don’t need to use the generic Shopify area. You should buy a site from Shopify to make use of, however for those who already personal the area, you could possibly use it you could possibly use it on your on-line enterprise. 

It’s not as sophisticated because it sounds. Right here’s the best way to switch a site to Shopify.

What’s Required to Level Area to Shopify

Earlier than you switch your present area to Shopify, there are some things to contemplate. In accordance with Web Company for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) guidelines, you can not switch a site that’s been bought throughout the final 60 days. When you bought it not too long ago, you need to watch for the complete 60 days to go earlier than you can begin the switch. This rule applies to all area identify registrars. 

You could even be able to pay to register your present area on Shopify for the subsequent 12 months earlier than you may swap.

To switch the area, you want entry to the area supplier account and the e-mail handle related to it. Test your area supplier’s switch coverage to ensure you can switch it.

Earlier than You Get Began

Earlier than you begin the area switch, ensure that your area is eligible for switch. Some domains, together with co.uk and .ca domains aren’t eligible to switch to Shopify. 

When you use a site that’s ineligible for switch, you may nonetheless use it – you simply have to attach the third-party area to Shopify. You received’t be capable to handle the area from the Shopify dashboard, nonetheless.

Shopify doesn’t supply electronic mail internet hosting, so that you’ll additionally have to safe a 3rd celebration electronic mail service to make use of electronic mail in your customized area. Contemplate that it could possibly take as much as 20 days for the area switch to finish.

Step One: Join Shopify

To keep away from interruptions for those who’re already utilizing the area to host an internet site, you must first join your area to Shopify. When you skip this step, then web site guests could expertise connection errors through the switch course of. 

Any modifications you make to your area can take as much as 48 hours to finish, so you must watch for the connection course of to finish earlier than you begin the switch.

Connecting your area factors it to your Shopify retailer URL, in order that when somebody visits your URL, it should ship them to your Shopify retailer. 

If you join your area, you’ll nonetheless use the third-party area supplier to handle all of your area settings, together with paying for and renewing your area possession.

How Do I Add My Area to Shopify?

Log in to your Shopify Account.

Go to Settings > Domains.

Click on Join Current Area. When you don’t see this selection, click on Actions first, then choose the Join Current Area choice.

Enter the area you want to join.

Click on View Directions. You’ll be capable to see Shopify assist materials to information you thru the method. The precise steps differ from one supplier to a different. Some could require you to vary the CNAME report to Shopify’s IP handle, whereas others would require you to vary the A report to level the area to Shopify.

When you’ve accomplished the steps,  together with your area registrar, return to Shopify and press the Confirm Connection button to examine to make sure the method labored. 

If the connection doesn’t work after 48 hours, repeat the steps and examine your area settings for errors. When you nonetheless have bother, contact your area supplier for help. 

Step Two: Put together the Area for Switch

Log in to your area account. Ensure the e-mail handle related to the account is present, useful, and never tied to the area you want to switch. 

Unlock the area you want to switch. The precise course of for this varies barely from one area registrar to the subsequent, however is usually finished by visiting the area settings and clicking “Unlock.” 

If you don’t see the choice to unlock the area, likelihood is the area just isn’t eligible for switch.

As soon as the area is prepared for switch, you’ll obtain a switch key, often known as an EPP code or switch authorization code. 

Step Three: Switch the Area

As soon as the area is unlocked, log in to your Shopify account. Navigate to Settings > Domains. 

Click on Switch Area. When you don’t see this selection, click on Actions first, then choose the Switch Area choice.

Enter the area you want to switch.

You’ll need to pay the price for an additional 12 months of registration to finish the switch, however the time you might have in your present registration will carry over. Right now, the price is $14, and there are a number of fee choices.

If you’re prepared, press the Confirm Area button. Shopify will take a look at the connection, and allow you to know if the area is locked or unlocked. 

When your area standing is unlocked (it could take time for the DNS information to replace and refresh the standing), you’ll be capable to click on Subsequent to proceed. If it reads Area locked, you’ll have to return to the third-party supplier, you’ll have to carry out the mandatory steps to unlock it earlier than you may proceed.

Enter the EPP or area authorization code you acquired out of your area host. Click on Subsequent to proceed.

Click on Purchase and switch. 

Control the e-mail account related together with your area. Relying on what firm had the area earlier than the switch, you’ll have to authorize the switch earlier than it could possibly start. You’ll get an electronic mail that features a hyperlink  to Verify Switch or Approve Switch.

It might probably take as much as 20 days to finish the area switch course of, however is usually accomplished a lot sooner. When the switch is full, you’ll obtain an electronic mail affirmation from Shopify. You’ll then be capable to entry all of your area settings on the Domains web page in your Shopify dashboard. 

If for any cause the switch is unsuccessful, the 1-year renewal cost is refunded. When you run into any points, you may contact Shopify help for assist.

Step 4: Information Use Consent Preferences

As soon as the area switch is full, you’ll get an electronic mail from Shopify, with the topic line: Management how your knowledge is shared. In that electronic mail, you’ll discover a hyperlink to the Information Use Consent Settings from Tucows, Inc. They’re the father or mother firm of OpenSRS, the service Shopify makes use of to resell domains. Consent is elective, and could be withdrawn any time.

After you switch your area to Shopify, you’ll be capable to arrange your retailer, third-party electronic mail internet hosting, setup forwarding electronic mail addresses, add subdomains, arrange worldwide domains and configure automated renewal on your area.

FAQs

Ultimate Ideas

Whether or not you’re beginning a brand new on-line retailer, or migrating to Shopify from one other ecommerce platform, it could make sense to switch the area to Shopify. When you not too long ago bought, or don’t thoughts having a separate place to mange your area, then as a substitute of going by area transfers, you may join your present area to your on-line retailer.

You’ll nonetheless be capable to have it ship folks to your Shopify retailer. You simply received’t be capable to handle issues like your area DNS settings from inside your Shopify admin dashboard.

If you switch area to Shopify, you may proceed to function your retailer as regular so long as you join it to your account first.