10 min read
A custom domain helps convey the brand’s identity and establish a professional Shopify store presence. However, domains come at a different price depending on the Top-Level Domain (TLD) and whether it’s a premium name. And if you understand how they’re priced, you can budget smartly in the long run.
In this guide, I’ll help you understand Shopify domain cost and renewals. You’ll learn everything you need to know before buying a domain, including best practices for choosing the right one for your store and hidden fees.
Shopify domain pricing at a glance
Custom Shopify domains cost roughly between $10-$30/year on average, but it depends on the name and the extension. While you can stay with the free subdomain, a branded domain can create more trust and establish a professional presence. Let’s review your domain options and their pricing in more detail.
Easy setupWHOIS Privacy includedFree subdomain
All merchants that sign up to Shopify get a free subdomain in the format “yourstore.myshopify.com.” It allows you to start selling on the platform without investing additional money.
However, it’s not the ideal solution, and it’s recommended to change your Shopify store name using a custom domain. Subdomains don’t look professional or help with user trust. According to a study by AtomRadar, 76% of users agree that domain extension familiarity improves trust in a brand.
Annual prices by TLD
Domain prices highly depend on the TLD, which is the last part of a domain name, like .com or .net. The cost is based on supply and demand and the registrar's pricing strategies. Here are the approximate prices for different TLDs on the Shopify domain registrar:
| TLD | Approximate price per year |
|---|---|
| .com | $16 |
| .org | $15 |
| .net | $19 |
| .co | $33 |
| .store | $9 |
| .app | $24 |
| .tech | $20 |
| .dev | $20 |
| .ai | $184 |
Although most TLDs have similar pricing, extensions like .ai cost around $184. That’s because they’re quite limited in availability but, just like AI itself, have a growing demand.
Please note that these prices can change over time. For the latest information, refer to the Shopify domain registrar.
Premium domains
Premium domains are short and keyword-optimized names that are associated with specific industries. They usually come with TLDs like .com or .net and are easy to remember, which makes them go higher in demand. Naturally, the cost of premium domains can be much higher.
Sometimes, third parties own premium domains and list them for a much higher price. However, once you purchase it, the renewal price remains the usual.
What is a Shopify domain?
A Shopify domain is a web address that directs internet users to your website. It can be the free Shopify subdomain, like yourstore.myshopify.com, or a custom domain, like yourstore.com.
Although the free Shopify subdomain is a great way to get started with website building, it’s best to use a custom domain to establish credibility and trust. You can buy a custom domain straight from the Shopify domain registrar or use a third-party provider and point the bought domain to Shopify.
Your domain options on Shopify
Whether you buy a domain on Shopify or another registrar, you have multiple options on how to proceed. Here they are explained in detail:
- Keep the free subdomain. If you’re just starting out, can’t yet decide on a brand name, or want to experiment with Shopify, you can keep the free .myshopify.com subdomain.
- Buy a domain on Shopify. If you’re running an online store, getting a custom domain from Shopify is the best way to go. When purchasing from the Shopify domain registrar, the setup is automatic, and prices start from around $9/year depending on the TLD.
- Connect a third‑party domain. If you already own a custom domain from another registrar, like Hostinger or GoDaddy, you can use DNS records to point it to your store. Shopify provides easy-to-follow domain connection instructions for each platform.
- Transfer a domain to Shopify. The best option when buying from a third-party registrar is to transfer your domain to Shopify. This allows you to manage your domain in the same place as your store, including handling renewals.
Initial vs renewal pricing
When you buy a custom domain on Shopify, you pay upfront for a year. Some registrars offer low initial prices for domains but higher renewal rates. Shopify usually offers the same price for renewal.
After the year ends, you can set automatic or manual renewals. However, it’s important to be aware of when your domain expires so you’re sure it renews, or else you may end up losing it.
- Enable auto-renewals. To ensure you don’t forget to renew your domain, it’s best to enable auto-renewals. This means you’ll be billed each year automatically.
- Track the expiry date. Even if automatic renewal is on, make sure you remember the expiry date. Check if the domain is renewed, just in case your payment method fails.
- Plan ahead. If you’re serious about your business, put aside the budget for your domain name for a few years. You can even purchase multiple TLDs, so that impersonators don’t register similar domains later.
Shopify vs other registrars
Shopify’s domain pricing is usually consistent each year, while other registrars offer cheaper prices for the first year and then raise the renewal cost.
With Shopify, each domain you purchase comes with automatic SSL certificates, which encrypt the connection between the website’s server and the user’s browser. You can know if your website uses SSL if there’s a padlock icon by your website URL.
All Shopify domains also come with WHOIS privacy included at no extra cost – unless it’s mentioned in the WHOIS TLD exceptions.
Shopify has a bit of a smaller collection of TLDs, but you can still get the most popular ones, such as .com or .net. So, it all comes down to what you need specifically and whether you want an automatic setup or a manual setup by transferring your domain.
Hidden costs and extra fees
Getting a domain won’t add large extra fees, but there are a few things you should note before getting one, like taxes or transfer fees. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Taxes and VAT – depending on the country you’re purchasing a domain in, both purchases and renewals may include VAT or taxes.
- ICANN fees – some domains come with a small fee (usually between $0.18-$0.20/year). It’s required to pay it to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to help cover operational costs.
- Separate email hosting – Shopify doesn’t offer email hosting. So, if you need a professional email like [email protected], then you’ll need to get a third-party service like Google Workspace or Zoho.
- Domain transferring – if you want to transfer your domain from another registrar to Shopify or vice versa, it automatically adds one more year to your registration.
- Premium domains – some domain names that are short and easy to remember can cost way more than others.
- Redemption fee – if you fail to recover a domain name after expiration and it reaches the redemption period, getting it back may cost more.
Choosing the right domain
To help you make the right decision, I’ve compiled a few best practices when choosing the right domain for your brand. Here’s what you should know:
- Consider the .com TLD – there are many TLDs that you can choose from, like .net, .online, or .tech, but .com is one of the most widely recognized.
- Review trademark – review trademark databases to ensure your chosen domain name isn’t already trademarked. It can help you avoid legal problems.
- Consider your brand – make sure you choose the right keywords that correspond with your store’s name and brand identity.
- Keep it short – domains that are easy to remember can stand out to your site visitors in the long run. Plus, they’re less likely to make mistakes while typing the domain name, so avoid long phrases or filler.
- Make it local – you can register local ccTLDs for your domain, like .co.uk or .de, to signal to visitors where you’re selling.
- Consider a multi-domain strategy – if your brand is growing big, I’d recommend getting multiple domains related to your brand and redirecting them to your store. It ensures you don’t have issues with impersonators.
- Review social media platforms – even if the domain name is available on registrars, review if it’s not taken on social media platforms where you’ll want to create accounts.
- Check if WHOIS Privacy is included – WHOIS Privacy ensures that the domain owner’s data is not available publicly. Always review if this feature comes with your chosen domain.
Step-by-step: how to buy a domain on Shopify
Buying a domain on Shopify is a straightforward process that takes just a few steps. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get one:
- Head to the Shopify domain registrar or open the Shopify Admin panel and head to Settings > Domains.
- Here, click “Buy new domain.”
- Choose a domain – you can browse the recommended ones or search for a specific one. Review the TLD you want to have and click “Buy” by the domain you like.
- Insert your contact information and turn on auto-renewal.
- Now, confirm that WHOIS Privacy is included by locating the message below the “Contact information” section. At the bottom of the page, you should also read the ICANN Policy and Domain Registration Agreement to understand what you’re agreeing to.
- Once you insert your payment details (Credit Card or PayPal), click “Buy domain.” It can take up to 48 hours for the domain to start working. Shopify will also activate the SSL certificates automatically.
- Shopify will send you an email where you’ll have to verify your email address to complete the domain registration.
Please note that if you don’t verify your email address in 15 days, Shopify may suspend it.
Conclusion
Shopify domains cost between $10 and $30 per year and usually renew at a matching price. They’re convenient and reasonably priced, but the final price depends on the TLD and whether the name is premium.
I highly recommend getting a domain from the Shopify domain registrar, which ensures easy setup and management. Additionally, think of domain names that would be easy to memorize and short, so your site visitors remember you quicker.
Ultimately, the final cost depends on the domain name and the TLD you choose, so pick according to your budget.
Frequently asked questions
The price of a Shopify domain depends on the name and the TLD that you want to purchase, varying from $10 to $30 per year. For example, the popular .com option comes at around $16/year, while .org is around $15/year. The total price also depends on the taxes and small ICANN regulatory charges. The WHOIS privacy protection is usually included for free with many TLDs.
Yes, Shopify includes WHOIS privacy protection when you purchase domains through them (with certain TLD exceptions) and SSL certificates. Both services are configured automatically, so setup couldn’t be easier.
Domain renewal fees depend on the TLD and the registrar you buy it from, and auto renewal is usually enabled by default. On Shopify, renewal fees are usually the same as the initial price you pay for it. Other registrars may offer lower first-year prices but increase the cost for renewal.
Yes, you can transfer your domain to or from Shopify. However, it depends on the platform. For example, transferring a domain to Shopify means you’ll have to update the DNS settings in your domain registrar. To transfer a domain from Shopify to another platform, you’ll need to access your Shopify Admin, unlock the domain, and get the authorization code for the registrar you want to transfer to.
No, Shopify doesn’t provide merchants with email hosting, but you can use a third-party email hosting service. Currently, Shopify supports Zoho Mail and Google Workspace.
Premium domains are short and specific names, often with the .com TLD. They’re worth using if you want to have a distinct brand name that would be easy to remember. However, keep in mind that premium domain names are usually higher in price, and can cost even thousands of dollars.
