Do You Need to Buy a Domain for Shopify? So, you’re starting a Shopify store, and you’re wondering what the big deal is about buying a domain.

You’ve heard the term floating around, but you’re not quite sure what it is or why you need one. Well, my friend, sit down, grab a cold one and read on, because I’m about to demystify this domain stuff for you.

Why Domains Matter in the First Place

First and foremost, let’s talk about what a domain is. A domain is simply the address people use to reach your website, like a phone number, if you will. Think of it as the place on the internet where you hang your virtual “Open for Business” sign.

For example, my website’s domain is “www.sarahsarcasticblog.com.” That’s the tangible link that people use to reach my website, and it’s what they type into their browser’s URL bar.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what a domain is, let’s talk about why it’s important for a Shopify store. The short answer is, it’s your online identity.

Think about it, if your store is called “Sassy Sally’s Swag” wouldn’t it make more sense for your URL to be “www.sassysallysswag.com” rather than “www.shopify.com/sassysallysswag”? It’s all about branding, kids.

A custom domain gives your store a professional look, and it makes it easier for people to remember your URL.

Do You Need a Domain for Shopify?

So, do you need to purchase a domain for your Shopify store? I’m gonna say “Yes, absolutely!” Let me explain why. When you start a Shopify store, you’re given a subdomain, which is, essentially, a “borrowed” domain.

So, instead of your URL being “www.sassysallysswag.com,” it would be something like “sassysallysswag.shopify.com.” Not only is it unwieldy, but you’re also advertising for Shopify, which is not your brand.

Owning a domain gives you more control over your online identity, and it helps you establish credibility with customers.

But, with great power, comes great responsibility. Sorry, Spider-man reference, I couldn’t help myself. When you own a domain, you’re in charge of renewing it when it expires, making sure it’s pointing to the right place, and ensuring that your website stays up and running.

It’s like owning a car, you have to take care of it, even if it means fixing a flat tire on a rainy day. On the flip side, owning a domain also gives you more control over your website’s SEO, which is a fancy way of saying that you can improve your website’s ranking in search engines, making it easier for people to find you.

Shopify Domain Alternatives (Sub-Domain vs Third-party Domain)

Now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of using a custom domain for your Shopify store, what are the alternatives? Well, there are two main options. Option one is to use a subdomain, which we discussed earlier.

Option two is to use a a so-called third-party domain, which is basically a domain that you purchase through a website like GoDaddy or Namecheap, but you point it to your Shopify store. The truth is, both of those options are fine, but they’re not as great as owning a custom domain. Subdomains are clunky, and they don’t give you much control over your online identity. Third-party domains are better, but they’re not as flexible, and they can be a bit tricky to set up.

Bottomline my friends, if you’re starting a Shopify store, you should definitely consider purchasing a custom domain.

It’s your online identity and it helps you establish credibility with customers. The great thing about Shopify is that they make it easy for you to purchase and manage a domain, so even if you don’t have technical know-how, you’re good to go.

And, if you’re on a tight budget, you can always start with a subdomain or a third-party domain, and upgrade to a custom domain when you’re ready. My final piece of advice is to choose a domain that accurately reflects your brand and is easy for customers to remember.

So, that’s it, folks! I hope this article demystified the domain stuff for you and helped you understand why you need to buy a domain for your Shopify store. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m always happy to chat. Cheers! Do You Need to Buy a Domain for Shopify?