How to Transfer a Shopify Domain (In and Out)

Latest UpdateJul 23, 20252928Views

Minute Read

Build Any Website With AI

30 Days FREE TRIAL

Olitt AI Website Builder with Blocks Editor

Are you running a Shopify store?

You’ve got a domain, but it’s not with Shopify.

Maybe it is with GoDaddy, Namecheap, or some other registrar.

You are wondering: Can I move it? Will it break my site? How long will it take?

These are real worries.

Screwing up a domain transfer can tank your SEO, confuse customers, or leave your store offline.

But here’s the deal: transferring a domain to Shopify is straightforward if you know the steps.

This guide cuts through the noise.

It’s a clear, step-by-step plan to move your domain without the headache.

No fluff, just what works.

Why OLITT Could Be Your Next Move

Before I show you how to transfer Shopify domain, let’s talk about a smarter way to handle domains.

OLITT.com offers dirt-cheap domain names and a platform that’s dead simple to use.

Think drag-and-drop website building, SEO tools, and fast-loading pages.

Why is this relevant?

Because transferring your domain is a chance to rethink where you park it.

OLITT’s pricing at olitt.com/domains/ starts low, and their setup is painless.

Unlike Shopify, which locks you into their ecosystem, OLITT gives you flexibility.

If you are fed up with high renewal fees or clunky interfaces, check them out.

Why Transfer a Domain to Shopify?

You might be asking: Why bother moving my domain?

Here is the deal.

Shopify is platform is built for e-commerce.

Managing your domain inside Shopify means less hassle.

You’re not juggling multiple logins or dealing with DNS nightmares.

Plus, Shopify throws in free SSL certificates.

That’s a big win for security and customer trust.

And let’s be real: a secure site with a custom domain looks legit.

Here’s why people make the switch:

Centralized control: Manage your store and domain in one place.
Free SSL: No extra cost for that padlock in the browser.
Better support: Shopify’s team has your back if things go sideways.
SEO continuity: Done right, your rankings won’t take a hit.

Before You Start: What You Need to Know

Transferring a domain isn’t just clicking a button.

There are rules and prep work.

Ignore them, and you’re asking for trouble.

Here’s what you need to check:

Domain age: ICANN says your domain must be at least 60 days old.
Registrar lock: Your domain can’t be locked. Check with your current provider.
EPP code: This is your domain’s transfer key. Get it from your registrar.
Email access: You’ll need the email tied to your domain for verification.
Shopify plan: You need a paid plan to transfer a domain.

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Your Domain to Shopify

Ready to pull the trigger?

Here’s the exact process.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be done in no time.

Step 1: Connect Your Domain to Shopify

Don’t transfer yet.

Connect your domain first to avoid downtime.

This points your domain to Shopify without moving it.

Log into your Shopify admin.
Go to Settings > Domains.
Click Connect existing domain.
Enter your domain (e.g., yourstore.com).
If your registrar is GoDaddy, Google Domains, or IONOS, click Connect automatically.
For others, you’ll need to manually update DNS settings.

Manual DNS setup:

Set the A record to Shopify’s IP: 23.227.38.65.
Set the CNAME record to shops.myshopify.com.
Add a TXT record if Shopify asks for verification.

I helped a friend, Joan, with her candle shop.

Her registrar was Namecheap.

We used their Shopify DNS template, and it took 10 minutes to connect.

Check your registrar’s help docs for specific instructions.

Step 2: Prep Your Domain for Transfer

Now, get your domain ready to move.

This is where most people mess up.

Don’t skip these:

Unlock your domain: Log into your registrar and turn off the domain lock.
Get the EPP code: Find it in your registrar’s domain settings.
Disable WHOIS privacy: Some registrars require this for transfers.
Check expiration: Your domain shouldn’t be expiring soon. Renew if needed.

Jake, the coffee guy, forgot his EPP code.

He spent two days emailing his registrar to get it.

Save yourself the headache and grab it early.

Step 3: Start the Transfer in Shopify

Time to make it official. Here is how to kick off the transfer:

In Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
Click Transfer domain.
Enter your domain name and click Next.
Input the EPP code from your registrar.
Confirm the transfer and pay the $14 annual fee (plus renewal costs).

Shopify charges around $14/year for hosting, plus the cost of your domain’s renewal.

Prices vary by TLD (.com is pricier than .biz).

Check Shopify’s domain pricing for exact numbers.

Step 4: Verify and Finalize

After you start the transfer, Shopify sends a verification email.

Check your inbox (and spam folder).

Click the link within 15 days, or the transfer fails.

The process takes 1-7 days, depending on your registrar.

You’ll get a confirmation when it’s done.

Step 5: Post-Transfer Checklist

You’re not done yet. Make sure everything’s working:

Set primary domain: In Shopify, go to Settings > Domains and make your new domain the primary one.
Check SSL: Ensure Shopify’s SSL certificate is active (look for the padlock in the browser).
Test your site: Visit your store, test links, and try a checkout.
Set up redirects: Use Settings > Online Store > URL Redirects to add 301 redirects from old URLs to avoid broken links.
Update external links: Fix your social media profiles, ads, and email campaigns with the new domain.

Joan missed the redirect step.

Her old blog posts were sending customers to 404 errors.

We set up 301 redirects, and her traffic bounced back in a week.

How to Transfer a Domain Out of Shopify

Now that you know how to transfer a domain to Shopify, let me walk you through to transfer out!

Why Transfer a Domain Out of Shopify?

You might wonder: Why go through the trouble?

Yes, Shopify is great for e-commerce, but it’s not for everyone.

Maybe you’re moving to a platform like OLITT, WooCommerce, or Wix.

Or you just want a registrar with cheaper renewals or more TLD options.

Here’s why people bail:

Lower costs: Some registrars (like OLITT) have cheaper renewal fees.
More flexibility: Shopify limits TLDs and doesn’t offer email hosting.
New platform: Your new site builder might work better with an external domain.
Control: You want full control over DNS settings without Shopify’s guardrails.

I know a buddy, Moe, who ran a sneaker store on Shopify.

He switched to a custom WordPress site for more design freedom.

Moving his domain to Namecheap saved him $20 a year and gave him better DNS control.

Before You Start: Get Your Ducks in a Row

Transferring a domain isn’t a one-click deal. There are rules, and skipping them can screw you over. Here’s what you need to check:

Domain age: ICANN requires domains to be 60 days old before transferring.
Shopify plan: You must be on a paid plan to manage domain settings.
Unlock status: Shopify domains are locked by default. You’ll need to unlock.
EPP code: This is your transfer key. Shopify provides it.
New registrar: Pick your new home (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy, or OLITT).
Email access: You need the email tied to your Shopify account for verification.

Pro tip: Connect your domain to your new platform before transferring.

This keeps your site live during the process.

I’ve seen people skip this and end up with a dead site for days.

Not cool.

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Your Domain Out of Shopify

Ready to make it happen? Here’s the exact playbook to move your domain. Follow these steps, and you’ll be out in no time.

Step 1: Connect Your Domain to Your New Platform

Don’t transfer yet. First, point your domain to your new platform to avoid downtime. This keeps your site running while the transfer happens.

Log into your new platform (e.g., WordPress, Wix, or OLITT).
Find their domain settings (usually under “Domains” or “DNS”).
Connect your domain using Shopify’s DNS settings:
A record: Keep Shopify’s IP (23.227.38.65) for now.
CNAME record: Points to shops.myshopify.com.
Test your site to make sure it’s live on the new platform.

Moe, the sneaker guy, connected his domain to WordPress first. It took 15 minutes to update DNS settings, and his store stayed online. Check your new platform’s help docs for exact DNS instructions.

Step 2: Prep Your Domain in Shopify

Now, get your domain ready to leave Shopify. This is where most people trip up. Here is what to do:

Log into your Shopify admin.
Go to Settings > Domains.
Find your domain and click Manage.
Click Transfer domain or Domain settings.
Unlock the domain: Toggle off the domain lock.
Get the EPP code: Shopify calls it the “authorization code.” Copy it.
Disable auto-renew: Turn this off to avoid getting charged again.

Pro tip: Screenshot your DNS settings before you leave. If something breaks, you’ll thank yourself later.

Step 3: Start the Transfer with Your New Registrar

Time to move your domain to its new home. Here’s how:

Log into your new registrar (e.g., OLITT, Namecheap, GoDaddy).
Search for “Transfer domain” in their dashboard.
Enter your domain name (e.g., yourstore.com).
Input the EPP code from Shopify.
Pay any transfer fees (usually $10-$15, plus a year’s renewal).
Confirm the transfer request.

OLITT’s transfer process is dead simple.

Their dashboard walks you through it, and their fees are among the lowest.

Moe went with Namecheap and paid $12 for the transfer.

Shop around for the best deal.

Step 4: Verify and Wait It Out

After starting the transfer, you’ll get an email from Shopify. It’s a verification step to confirm you’re the owner. Here’s what to do:

Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the email.
Click the verification link within 15 days, or the transfer fails.
Wait 1-7 days for the transfer to complete.
Your new registrar will email you when it’s done.

I helped a friend, Lisa, move her jewelry store’s domain to GoDaddy.

She missed the verification email in her spam folder.

The transfer got stuck, and she had to restart.

Check your email daily to avoid this.

Step 5: Post-Transfer Checklist

You’re almost there. Make sure everything’s working:

Update DNS settings: Point your A record and CNAME to your new platform’s servers.
Check SSL: Ensure your new registrar or platform provides an SSL certificate.
Test your site: Visit your store, click links, and test checkout.
Set up 301 redirects: Use your new registrar’s tools to redirect old URLs to avoid 404 errors.
Update external links: Fix social media profiles, ads, and email campaigns with your new setup.

Lisa forgot redirects, and her old product pages were dead links.

We added 301 redirects, and her SEO recovered in a week.

Don’t skip this step.

Common Domain Transfer Screw-Ups and How to Dodge Them

People mess this up all the time. Here’s what to avoid:

Skipping DNS prep: Not connecting your domain first can cause downtime.
Missing verification: Ignore that email, and your transfer’s toast.
Locked domain: Double-check Shopify’s lock is off before starting.
Expired domain: Renew early if your domain is close to expiring.
Forgetting redirects: No redirects means lost traffic and SEO.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

People screw this up all the time. Here’s what to watch out for:

Forgetting redirects: Without 301 redirects, you’ll lose SEO juice and customers.
Not testing: A broken checkout can kill sales. Test everything.
Ignoring email verification: Miss the email, and your transfer’s dead.
Locked domains: Check that lock status before you start.
Expired domains: Renew early to avoid losing your domain.

Shopify vs. Other Registrars: Is It Worth It?

Shopify’s domain management is solid, but it’s not perfect. Here’s the breakdown:

Pros:
- Easy setup with auto-configured DNS.
- Free SSL certificate.
- One dashboard for store and domain.
Cons:
- Limited TLD options compared to Namecheap or OLITT.
- Renewal fees can creep up ($15-$30/year).
- No email hosting (you’ll need a third-party service).