Connecting vs. transferring your domain to Shopify
If you already own a domain from a third-party provider, you can either connect it or transfer it to Shopify. Both options let customers visit your online store using your custom domain, but they differ in where you manage your domain settings.
On this page
Connecting your domain
When you connect a domain, you update the DNS records at your third-party domain provider to point to Shopify. Your domain provider remains the registrar, and you continue to manage your domain settings, billing, and renewals through that provider.
Connect your domain when:
- You want to keep managing your domain at your current provider.
- You use other services (such as custom email hosting or other DNS records) that are tied to your domain provider.
- Your domain extension isn't eligible for transfer to Shopify (for example,
.at,.co.uk,.de,.jp, or.kr). - You registered or transferred your domain within the past 60 days.
- You want to get your store live quickly without additional steps.
Transferring your domain
When you transfer a domain, you move registrar management from your third-party provider to Shopify. After the transfer, you manage all of your domain settings, billing, and renewals directly in your Shopify admin.
Transfer your domain when:
- You want to manage your domain and your store in one place.
- You want Shopify Support to help you with domain settings.
- You no longer need the domain services provided by your current registrar.
- You want to simplify your domain management by removing a separate provider account.
Comparison
| Connect | Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you manage DNS settings | Third-party domain provider | Shopify admin |
| Where you pay for and renew your domain | Third-party domain provider | Shopify admin |
| Domain support from Shopify | Limited to store connection issues | Full domain support |
| Setup time | Minutes to 48 hours | Up to 20 days |
| Cost | No additional cost from Shopify | 1-year domain renewal fee |
| Works with all domain extensions | Yes | No (some extensions aren't eligible) |
Moving a connected third-party domain between Shopify stores
If your third-party domain is already connected to one Shopify store and you want to use it on a different store, then you don't need to disconnect it first. Instead, go through the connect flow on the new store. Because the domain is already associated with another Shopify store, you'll be prompted to verify domain ownership before the domain moves to the new store.