You are setting up your Shopify store but you are not sure if you should buy a domain through Shopify, GoDaddy, or other domain registrars. This is a usual question so I will present to you all the pros and cons of each decision so you can reach a conclusion.
Features | Shopify | Godaddy | Other Registrars (Namecheap,Dynadot,Namesilo) |
First Year Cost | High | Lower | Lower |
Cost After First Year | Steady | High | Low |
Domain Privacy | Free | Paid | Free |
Domain Settings Setup | Easy | Easy | Slightly Harder |
Email Setup | Email Forwarding Only | Email Hosting Available | Email Hosting For Some Of Them |
**Get afree domainfor 1 yearand quality website hosting fromHostinger.com(affiliate link). Read my full reviewhere.
Shopify, GoDaddy, Or Other Domain Registrar
Before I start with the arguments for each use case, I believe you should not choose the easy solution of a free URL like abcdexample.myshopify.com. Most of your potential customers will not be comfortable buying from this kind of store. Check this thread on Reddit from people that are worried about this kind of stores Reddit Thread For myshopify.com
Check on the next screenshot and see how many auto-suggests I get from google when I type “is myshopify.com”. This fact indicates that many users are worried when they see this type of URL and they are searching on google for reviews and answers.

Ok, let’s start now with our comparison between three possible options for a custom domain + a Shopify store. Shopify is an easy to use platform that combines many different features under one tool. This is the biggest advantage, especially for people that build a website for the first time. In that sense, you can easily buy your domain and set it up from the Shopify interface only.
The cost at the current time is 14$ for a .com domain per year,16$ for a .net, and 17$ for a .org . You can see the prices for rest extensions on the next screenshot.

If you decide to purchase a domain with other registrars then the first year the price would be lower for sure but in some cases, the renewal price would be higher than Shopify. For example, Godaddy offers 1.17$ domain names but only for the first year and for first time users. I am presenting to you a table with the prices for a .com domain in different registrars included Shopify and Godaddy.
Registrars | .com – First Year – Only For First time users | Regular Price For The First Year | Renewal Price | Transfer |
Shopify | $14 | $14 | $14 | $14 |
Godaddy | $1.17 | $12.17 | $18.17 | $8.17 |
Namecheap | $6.40 – $7.28 | $9.06 | $13.16 | $8.76 |
Dynadot | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 |
Namesilo | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.39 |
*All the domain registrars offer different discounts and coupons over the year so take a look on the next links to see the updated prices: Godaddy Pricing,Namecheap Pricing, Namesilo Pricing,Dynadot Pricing
Godaddy attracts a lot of new users because of the initially very cheap price but there are 2 downsides. The renewal price is nearly $20 and you need to pay extra for domain privacy. This feature is usually free for the rest domain registrars included Shopify too. If you do not have domain privacy and you are not an EU citizen, your contact details would be visible from a whois database like whois.com or who.is.
If you decide to use a different domain registrar and not Shopify then you need to set up your domain settings in a different way. Here is the article from shopify.com that guides you through this process: Shopify Help For Domains .
Below you can see the instructions from the Shopify help page for 3 well-known domain registrars, keep reading after this paragraph too to find out how you can adjust settings on some other cheaper domain registrars (namecheap,namesilo,Dynadot).
GoDaddy, Google, and 1&1 IONOS domains
From your Shopify admin, go toOnline Store>Domains.
- ClickConnect existing domain.
- Enter the domain that you want to connect, such as
johns-apparel.info
. - ClickNext.
- ClickConnect automatically.
- In theSign Inwindow, log in to your GoDaddy, Google, or 1&1 IONOS account.
- ClickConnect
**From https://help.shopify.com/
You can see some screenshots from other domain registrars interface below. Only Two things you need to use, A record=23.227.38.65 and www
CNAME=shops.myshopify.com.
Let’s start with Namecheap. The process here is simple too since you need to visit your domain list > change the DNS template to Shopify and choose the green tick symbol. After that, the necessary settings are modified automatically. You will need to wait up to 48 hours to see your Shopify store with your domain name (usually happens within 1-2 hours).


The next registrar we will explore is Dynadot. Find My Domains > Manage Domains > select the domain you want to use. Click on the arrow next to DNS settings. For Dynadot, an A record=23.227.38.65 is enough, delete all other records if there are any. Wait up to 48 hours to see your changes live.


Last but not least here are the steps for adjusting settings on namesilo. Go to my account> domain manager > DNS Records > Update. Delete all previous records and add the details as you see on the second screenshot: A record=23.227.38.65 and www
CNAME=shops.myshopify.com.


Another negative aspect of Shopify is that they don’t offer email hosting. By that I mean you can’t send emails from a custom domain such as info@mydomainetc.com sales@mydomainetc.com. They offer for free what we call email forwarding. For example, you can receive emails sent to info@mydomainetc.com but these will end up to your Gmail, yahoo, outlook, etc inbox. When you try to respond back your customers will see that you are using a free email such as Gmail and not your custom domain address such as info@mydomainetc.com.
I see that GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot offer email hosting. I advise you to read carefully the sales page for each email hosting plan so you are aware of any limitations.
My overall suggestion is to go with another registrar if 4-5 more dollars per year is a meaningful expense for you but not on GoDaddy. If you don’t even bother for this amount stay on Shopify.
Transfer A Domain From Shopify To Other Registrar
Many people afraid that they will not be able to transfer their domain if they ever decide to cancel their Shopify subscription. That’s not true unless you registered or transferred your domain within the last 60 days. This is how you can transfer a domain outside of Shopify (check the bottom of this page) Transfer your Domains Outside Shopify (help page).
Here are the instructions for each of the registrars I mentioned earlier. If you follow the previous article and one of the next ones (based on your registrar) you will be good to go.
Namecheap Domain Transfer (scroll down to see all the instructions)
Godaddy Domain Transfer (scroll down to see all the instructions)
Namesilo Domain Transfer (scroll down to see all the instructions)
Dynadot Domain Transfer (scroll down to see all the instructions)
Final Words
I hope that now you have a better view of your current options around custom domains. Please share the post on social media if you really find it useful, I would be grateful!
Dionysios Alexopoulos
My name is Dionysios Alexopoulos and I am the owner of buycompanyname.com. I like trying to do different things online such as digital investments, building sites or working from home for a startup.My main goal is to provide good brandable domain names for new businesses. I have also spent years learning how to build websites with WordPress and find out how the whole process works. I am very interested to learn always how the internet works under the surface and I am trying to share the knowledge with my blog readers.In my free time, I want to travel around the world as much as possible, except in summers when there is no better place than Greece to be around!
FAQs
Is it better to buy a domain name on Shopify or GoDaddy? ›
Pricing and Value
GoDaddy is the least expensive option of the two website builders. However, if having an online store is the main goal of the website, Shopify might be the better option as only GoDaddy's top two most expensive plans include an online store.
Generally, Shopify has better features, with several apps to choose from. It is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms out there, which is why many store owners prefer to own a Shopify domain name and run their stores on it. If you're starting an online store or already own one, you'll need to market it well too.
Is it worth it to buy domain from GoDaddy? ›GoDaddy has been around for a long time and has proven to be a reliable source of domain names. While it does offer very cheap initial prices and an easy-to-use platform, it lacks value in the long run. Google Domains is more expensive initially, but it'll be the significantly cheaper option in the long term.
Can I buy a domain from GoDaddy and use it on Shopify? ›After you purchase a domain from a third-party domain provider, such as Google Domains, GoDaddy, or 1&1 IONOS, you need to connect your domain to your Shopify store. Connecting your domain points your URL to your Shopify store so that customers can enter that URL into their web browser to visit your online store.
Does GoDaddy take a percentage of sales? ›There are no setup fees with GoDaddy Payments and no long-term contracts. Just pay a low fee of 2.3% + 0¢ per transaction for in-person, 2.3% + 30¢ per transaction for ecommerce and Pay Link payments, and 3.3% + 0¢ for keyed-in transactions with no monthly minimums or any kind of hidden costs.
What is the best domain names to buy? ›- Stick with .com.
- Use keywords in your domain name search.
- Keep your domain name short.
- Make it easy to pronounce and spell.
- Keep it unique and brandable.
- Avoid hyphens in domain name.
- Avoid doubled letters.
- Leave room to expand.
Domains purchased through Shopify are registered for one year, and can be renewed annually.
How much is Shopify fees? ›Shopify Transaction Fees
You will be charged a 2% fee on all Basic Shopify plan transactions, 1% on the standard Shopify plan, and 0.5% on the Advanced Shopify plan. If you decide to use Shopify's own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, you can avoid these extra fees.
Yes, you can purchase a domain through Shopify without signing up for a Shopify site plan. You can also use your domain name you purchased for websites from other hosting plans and providers. This means your Shopify domain can grow as you sell more and your business online needs evolve.
Why not to use GoDaddy? ›As a hosting service provider, GoDaddy can cause a lot of issues, mainly because servers have limited resources. So, when everybody is uploading too many files at the same time (which is highly likely), it can bring the server down.
How much does GoDaddy take per domain sale? ›
Essentially it could take 9-10 days from the sale until you receive the payout depending on the days of the week that the sale occurs, etc. Also important to note, all listings and sales made by Godaddy for your domains are subject to a 20% commission fee.
How much does GoDaddy charge for domain per year? ›GoDaddy has sales throughout the year that let you grab a domain for just ₹ 81.82 (plus tax). You can visit our promos page to keep an eye on our latest offers.
Can I transfer my GoDaddy store to Shopify? ›From your Shopify admin, click Settings > Domains. Do one of the following: If you haven't connected additional domains, then click Connect existing domain, and then click transfer it to Shopify. If you have other domains connected, then click Transfer domain.
Can I buy domain from GoDaddy and sell it? ›Domains can be sold with GoDaddy's List for Sale service. They are listed with a Buy Now price, and once they're sold, they instantly leave your account and move automatically to the buyer.
Is Google domains better than GoDaddy? ›While GoDaddy has a reputation as an affordable web hosting service, Google Domains comes in much cheaper for domains on their own, despite offering fewer features. GoDaddy is also known for its upsells, which means you may end up paying even more for things like security, which Google Domains offers for free.
Does Shopify take a percentage of each sale? ›The mid-tier plan, known as the 'Shopify Plan' charges 2.6% + $0.30 fee per transaction for each online purchase and a flat 2.5% for in-store purchases. The most expensive plan, known as the 'Advanced Plan' charges 2.4% + $0.30 fee per transaction for each online purchase and a flat 2.4% for in-store purchases.
Can you negotiate with GoDaddy for a domain? ›If the current domain owner is open to selling, negotiations will begin. Your broker agent will do their best to remain within the budget you set, aiming for a price you and the seller are both comfortable with. The current owner may counter-offer with a different price.
How much is GoDaddy after the first year? ›After your first year, you'll be charged $335.88 which works out at $27.99 per month. If you only want Premium GoDaddy for the short-term, you can pay $32.99 per month. These are the features you get with Premium: Website with SSL security certificate.
Does it matter who you buy your domain name from? ›Is There Any Difference Between Domain Registrars? Not all registrars provide the same domain management features. Once you register a domain, it's yours – it doesn't matter which service you purchased it from. If a domain is available, you can usually buy it anywhere you'd like.
How do I permanently buy a domain name? ›Technically, it is not possible to buy a domain name permanently but it can be leased and then renewed after the predetermined period. The minimum registration duration is for a year and if you wish to continue with the domain name, you can visit the registrar's website and renew your lease before the expiration date.
Which domain is most reliable? ›
- org (a registered organisation)
- edu (an educational institution)
- gov (a government agency)
- gov.au (an Australian government agency)
If you deactivate your online store, then you can't create a new online store that uses the same myshopify domain. You can create a new store that is branded with the same name, but your myshopify domain is unique to each store.
How do I close my Shopify store but keep my domain? ›You'll need to transfer a custom domain
This is so you can still use the domain even after your Shopify account has been cancelled. If you purchased the domain through Shopify, you'll need to transfer management of the domain to another hosting platform or registrar.
To cancel your . at domain, you need to contact Shopify support at least 3 days before the domain's scheduled renewal date. The email must contain a completed Domain Termination/Deletion form and specify whether you want your domain to be canceled immediately or at the end of the registration period.
Does Shopify require a monthly fee? ›The monthly price is a recurring subscription charge for using Shopify, which varies depending on the plan you choose. The price associated with whichever plan you choose is included in the bill issued at the end of your assigned billing cycle.
Is Shopify worth the fees? ›Is Shopify worth it? This depends on your ambitions and vision for your online shop, but essentially yes. While it might be pricier than a non-ecommerce specific builder, its rich sales features are all but essential for businesses that want to build large scaling online stores.
Is Shopify better than Amazon? ›Overall, Shopify has a much more sophisticated range of ecommerce features than Amazon. Its dropshipping integration also makes it a better platform for those looking to reduce costs related to inventory storage. Amazon offers a decent range of sales tools, but they aren't quite as powerful as Shopify's.
Does Shopify host a domain name? ›Shopify makes it easy to create and register a domain name for your new website. You can buy a new domain through Shopify, use an existing domain, or use your free . myshopify.com domain.
Does Shopify come with an email address? ›One of the benefits of using Shopify is that it gives you a professional email address. You must, however, be on a paid Shopify plan to access this feature. If you're on a trial Shopify plan, you can still create a professional email, but you cannot send or receive emails through it.
How many websites can you have on Shopify? ›Shopify allows for one primary domain only. However, you can have up to 10 domains or subdomains to your Shopify store, in addition to your . myshopify.com URL. For those who have Shopify Plus plan, they can go up to 1000 domains or subdomains.
Does GoDaddy own my domain name? ›
Domain name registration is the process of finding a web address (like GoDaddy.com or LilysBikes.com), and then signing up to use it. You technically don't own the domain, but once you've registered it, it's yours alone for as long as you continue paying the annual registration fee.
Does GoDaddy keep your domain? ›Free domain privacy, forever.
Free with every GoDaddy domain, Domain Privacy keeps your identity safe and prevents spam. Replaces your personal info with proxy info in the public WHOIS directory. Prevents spam with private email for domain inquiries.
How trustworthy is GoDaddy? GoDaddy is one of the most reliable and trustworthy names in the world of web hosting and domain registration. More than 21 million customers globally have used GoDaddy's services, and there are tens of thousands of verified reviews from happy customers written on trusted review sites.
What is the average price domain name sale? ›Buying a new domain generally costs between $10 and $20 a year. Price differences depend on which registrar you buy your domain name from, and what kind of domain you're buying.
How much does it cost to run an online store on GoDaddy? ›Basic Get your business moving with a website, marketing and payments. As low as $9.99 /mo With an annual term (16% savings) You pay $119.88 today4 Renews Jun. 2024 for $11.99/mo ($143.88 total) Add to Cart Start for Free | |
---|---|
ONLINE STORE & MARKETPLACE SELLING | |
List products in an online store | — |
- Enter the domain name in GoDaddy's domain name search bar.
- Click Add to Cart.
- If desired, register additional extensions to protect your online brand. Click Add to Cart for each additional domain name.
- Click Continue to Cart.
- Select a domain privacy plan, or click No Thanks.
GoDaddy is a website builder with ecommerce capabilities, while Shopify is primarily an ecommerce-focused platform. GoDaddy has more of an emphasis on ease of use and customization, as it can be used as a platform to build many types of websites, not just online stores.
Do I have to pay GoDaddy every year? ›Domain names require an annual renewal. Most domain names have an annual fee, along with a small ICANN fee (although not all domain extensions will include that fee). Privacy is an additional feature that can be used with many domain extensions, which is meant to keep your registrant information out of WHOIS searches.
How much does a 1 year domain cost? ›Domains start at ₹500/year. Email forwarding, privacy protection, one-click DNSSEC, Google 2-Step Verification, and more included.
How do I verify my domain on Shopify? ›- In your Shopify organization admin, go to Users > Security.
- In the Domain verification section, click Add domain.
- Enter the name of your domain, and then click Next.
- Click the Copy button to copy the TXT value.
Can I change the Web address to my Shopify store? ›
By default, your primary domain uses the format your-store-name.myshopify.com when you sign up for Shopify. If you want to change the domain that customers use to visit your store, you can add a custom domain, and then set your custom domain as the primary domain.
How do I transfer my email from GoDaddy to Shopify? ›- Connect your Source & Target carts. Choose GoDaddy and Shopify from the drop-down lists & provide the stores' URLs in the corresponding fields.
- Select the data to migrate & extra options. ...
- Launch your Demo/Full migration.
- Use your domain for a custom email address.
- Create a website that's attached to your domain.
- Get an online store that's attached to your domain.
- Sell your domain name.
Some of the top benefits of transferring your domains to GoDaddy include: You're charged a flat fee per domain, so you'll pay nothing beyond the initial cost and ICANN registration, where appropriate. Keep any time left on your current registrations — and throw in a free year of registration for each transfer.
Is it better to buy a domain from Shopify or GoDaddy? ›Shopify easily wins in the e-commerce functionality standoff. It is the gold standard as far as website builders for e-commerce use. The platform was specifically designed to create e-commerce websites while GoDaddy started as a domain name and hosting service.
What are the best domains if .com is taken? ›- io: This is an excellent option for tech websites and startups.
- co: A popular stand-in for .com when those domains aren't available.
- net: As far as seniority and trust goes, .com and . ...
- blog & . ...
- Country code TLDs: Going local is always an excellent option if you want to snag unique domain names.
The .com domain extension is the most popular TLD available. It was initially used by for profit businesses, but it has become the most popular domain name extension in the world. Over half of websites on the internet use the .com domain name extension.
Is GoDaddy legit for domain names? ›GoDaddy has long been a reliable host — world-renowned as the #1 domain registrar. With some of the best longevity in the industry, the hosting company is a trustworthy provider we confidently recommend to beginners, developers, and entrepreneurs.
Is it better to buy domain on GoDaddy or Google? ›While GoDaddy has a reputation as an affordable web hosting service, Google Domains comes in much cheaper for domains on their own, despite offering fewer features. GoDaddy is also known for its upsells, which means you may end up paying even more for things like security, which Google Domains offers for free.
Can you keep your domain name on Shopify? ›Domain hosting services are only available with a paid Shopify plan. If you want to deactivate your store or your Shopify account, but you want to keep using your domain, then you need to transfer your domain before you deactivate your store.
How do I transfer my domain from Shopify to GoDaddy? ›
- From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
- In the Domains section, click the name of the domain that you want to transfer.
- Click Domain settings > Transfer to another provider.
- Review the information, and then click Confirm.
- org (a registered organisation)
- edu (an educational institution)
- gov (a government agency)
- gov.au (an Australian government agency)
Additional services: GoDaddy's domain registrations include a free site builder, free domain privacy, a free logo maker tool, and free domain-based pay links to allow users to collect payments without a website. Additional services, such as hosting, email and DIFY web solutions are also available.
How much does GoDaddy cost after the first year? ›After your first year, you'll be charged $383.41 which works out at $31.96 per month. If you only want Premium GoDaddy for the short-term, you can pay $36.95 per month. These are the features you get with Premium: Website with SSL security certificate.
Who is GoDaddy best for? ›GoDaddy Is Best For: First-time site builders would do well with GoDaddy as a web host. You get everything you need to get started in the low-tier plan for shared hosting, including an SSL certificate, domain name and an easy-to-use site builder.
Is it a good idea to buy a domain from Google? ›Google Domains is definitely one of the best places to register a domain name. Google Domains offers transparent, competitive pricing for most popular domain extensions. It can be pricey for certain extensions — like . io — but it's near or below the competition for extensions like .com and .
How much does a Shopify domain cost? ›Buying a Shopify domain. Most store owners choose to have a custom domain name for their websites. To buy domain through Shopify costs $11 per year. Once you have paid for your domain, it will be set up for you, and it will always belong to you even if you no longer run your store.
How do I remove my GoDaddy domain from Shopify? ›- From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
- Click the name of the domain that you want to remove.
- Click Delete domain.
- Click Remove again to confirm.
It can take up to 20 days for your domain to be transferred. After it's transferred, you receive a confirmation email from Shopify. You can access your domain settings on the Domains page from your Shopify admin. If the domain transfer isn't successful, then you're refunded the 1-year renewal charge.
Does GoDaddy allow domain transfer? ›You can transfer a domain name from your GoDaddy account to another GoDaddy account so long as the domain is eligible. Domains aren't eligible for an account transfer if they're pending a contact update approval, within one day of expiration, expired or already pending a transfer.