Do I need to transfer my domain to Shopify to use it?

No. Connecting keeps the domain at your current registrar and only changes DNS records. Transferring moves the registration itself to Shopify, which is optional.

Can I connect a subdomain like shop.example.com?

Yes. Add it in the same Domains screen and point only that subdomain's CNAME to shops.myshopify.com. The root domain keeps working for whatever else you use it for.

Why does my domain show an SSL pending error?

Shopify issues the free certificate only after the DNS records resolve correctly. Check that the A record and CNAME are exactly right, remove any extra A records, and give it a few more hours.

How to connect a custom domain to Shopify

Open Settings, then Domains, in your Shopify admin and click Connect existing domain. Enter the domain you own, then update its DNS at your registrar: point the A record to 23.227.38.65 and the CNAME record for www to shops.myshopify.com. Shopify verifies the records and provisions a free SSL certificate, usually within 48 hours and often within an hour.

Where to change the DNS records

Make the changes at the company where you bought the domain, not in Shopify. If you use Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare, open their DNS management page, replace or add the A record for the root domain with 23.227.38.65, and set the www CNAME to shops.myshopify.com. Leave other records like email MX entries untouched.

How long connection takes

Most domains connect within a few hours, but DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. During that window Shopify shows the domain as pending. Your store stays reachable at its myshopify.com address the whole time, so nothing breaks for you while you wait.

Setting the primary domain

Once the domain shows as connected, open Settings, then Domains, and set it as your primary domain. Shopify redirects the myshopify.com address and any other connected domains to the primary one, so customers and search engines see a single address.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to transfer my domain to Shopify to use it?: No. Connecting keeps the domain at your current registrar and only changes DNS records. Transferring moves the registration itself to Shopify, which is optional.
Can I connect a subdomain like shop.example.com?: Yes. Add it in the same Domains screen and point only that subdomain's CNAME to shops.myshopify.com. The root domain keeps working for whatever else you use it for.
Why does my domain show an SSL pending error?: Shopify issues the free certificate only after the DNS records resolve correctly. Check that the A record and CNAME are exactly right, remove any extra A records, and give it a few more hours.