For many Shopify retailers, switching main area addresses is simple and automatic.
A retailer may need any variety of causes for altering its web deal with, nevertheless it’s usually a rebrand reflecting new merchandise or focus.
An instance is an Idaho-based producer. The direct-to-consumer firm initially made fishing rod lockers, and its area identify included “locker.” However the firm pivoted to provide primarily high-end trailers for fishing kayaks.
Consumers have been confused when visiting a “locker” website solely to discover a trailer, so the rebrand made sense.
SnakeRiverLocker.com rebranded to SnakeRiverManufacturing.us.
Switching Shopify Domains
Let’s stroll via the method of switching a site in Shopify.
- Add the brand new area connection.
- Change the area kind.
- Shopify creates the redirects.
- Promote the change.
Shopify permits a enterprise to vary its main area solely as soon as.
Add a New Area
Within the Shopify admin, navigate to Settings > Domains and click on “Join present” if the area is already registered. Shopify can register a site on a buyer’s behalf if essential.
Click on “Join present” if the brand new area is already registered. Then enter the URL within the modal.
Kind within the area, and Shopify can join on to many registrars, equivalent to GoDaddy. In any other case, the method takes two or three steps on the registrar so as to add data to the area’s DNS.
- Add an “A” file.
- Add a “CNAME” file.
- In some instances, add a “TXT” file.
The setup varies barely from one area registrar to a different, however the course of is usually the identical. Shopify will confirm the brand new area shortly after the data are arrange.
Change the Area Kind
As soon as Shopify verifies it, assign the brand new area to your retailer. Navigate to Settings > Domains. Click on on the area you wish to change.
On the decrease proper of the web page is a hyperlink, “Change area kind.”
Click on “Change area kind” on the decrease proper.
Change this to “Main area,” and in a number of moments your Shopify retailer will probably be dwell on the new area. Make sure the previous area redirects to the brand new one. Earlier than altering, be sure the area is appropriate, as Shopify, as soon as extra, permits solely a one-time change.
The up to date area kind seems on the decrease left.
Redirects
An unlucky aspect impact of fixing a site is decreased search engine site visitors.
“Just like a brand new URL construction, area modifications require 301 redirects, which leak fairness. I’ve seen rankings slip for months afterward,” wrote my colleague Ann Smarty in a March 2024 article, “Site visitors Restoration from Area Adjustments.”
Whereas 301 redirects are a longtime and dependable software for passing rating indicators, some, like Ann, have urged {that a} small proportion of hyperlink fairness could not switch to the new area. This loss will be as a result of how serps interpret redirects or the inherent limitations within the redirect course of. For instance, the redirect requires an additional step for search engine bots.
In her article, Ann describes an audit course of (utilizing Google Search Console, the Wayback Machine, Semrush, and Screaming Frog) to assist find redirect errors and extreme redirect chains.
Shopify will generate the preliminary 301 redirect — oldurl.com/product will level to newurl.com/product — nevertheless it can’t forestall the discount in hyperlink fairness.
Promote the New Area
The Idaho-based trailer model took two additional actions for its identify change.
First, the corporate contacted probably the most important web sites that hyperlink to the enterprise’s Shopify retailer, asking these website homeowners to replace the hyperlink with the brand new area. Some publishers made the change.
Second, the corporate launched a social media marketing campaign with a number of brief and lengthy movies on Instagram and YouTube. Some featured the corporate’s founder addressing the rebrand, whereas others centered on its manufacturing requirements and merchandise.
The promotions boosted site visitors and garnered a number of new hyperlinks.
