transferring domain from sSiteground

[THG63]

I think I'm way in over my head lol and have no idea what I'm doing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is all new to me. My website is currently hosted by SiteGround and the domain name was purchased through WordPress. I want to drop Siteground and have everything in one place here on Shopify. Question 1 - can I transfer the domain name to Shopify while still being hosted by Siteground or do I have to leave Siteground first? Shopify states I need to save domain records before I do transfer - what records are they referring to?  any step by step instructions would help . Thank you.

[Carlos-Sz · Accepted solution]

Hello @THG63, 

No worries—you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by domain transfers. I break down your concerns to the followings so it's easier for you to read. Here's the scoop: 

Can you transfer domain to Shopify while still hosted at SiteGround?

Yes, you can transfer your domain registration to Shopify even if your website is still hosted on SiteGround, but if you're planning to move everything to Shopify, you’ll eventually want to update your DNS so your site points to Shopify. However, you can transfer the domain first without immediately changing your hosting settings.

What domain records should you save?

Before you initiate the transfer, Shopify asks you to save your domain records—these include:

• A Record: This points your domain to your current hosting IP address (if you plan to move to Shopify, you’ll change this to Shopify’s IP).
• CNAME Record: Usually for your “www” subdomain (it should point to your current host, or later, to shops.myshopify.com).
• MX Records: These are for your email (if you’re using external email hosting, keep these handy so you can update them after the transfer).
• TXT Records: Any verification or SPF records you might have.

Saving these means you have a backup of your current DNS settings. When you transfer your domain, you might need to reconfigure these records in Shopify’s domain settings.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Unlock Your Domain & Get the Authorization Code:

   • Log into your current domain registrar (through WordPress, in your case) and unlock your domain. Request the transfer authorization code.

2. Save Your Current DNS Records:

   • Note down your current A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records. You can often export these or take screenshots.

3. Initiate the Domain Transfer in Shopify:

   • In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Domains > Transfer domain.
   • Enter your domain name and follow the prompts. You’ll need to enter the authorization code you just received.

4. Verify and Update DNS Settings:

   • Once the transfer is complete, check your DNS settings in Shopify. If you’re moving your hosting to Shopify later, update the A record to Shopify’s IP (usually 23.227.38.65) and adjust the CNAME for “www” accordingly.
   • Re-add any custom MX or TXT records if needed.

5. Allow Time for Propagation:

   • Remember, DNS changes can take a little time to propagate globally.

Following these steps should help you consolidate your domain and eventually your hosting under Shopify, all while having a backup of your essential settings.

Hope this makes things clearer! Let me know if you have any more questions or need further details.

Best,
Carlos from Kudosi Reviews

[THG63]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to break it all down. I will try this tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I will definitely reach out if I have further questions. 

[THG63]

This is replying to both responses which I appreciate but I'm confused and don't want to mess this up lol. I was able to save copies of my records but one comment states going through WordPress to start the transfer and request the code and the other comment says go through Siteground to begin the transfer. Which do I use Or doesn't it matter?

[THG63]

I just wanted to give an update on my progress. I tried to initiate the transfer and unlock the domain name but WordPress says it is locked for 60 days due to an email address change. ugh, I checked the opt-out of the 60-day lock, so I am waiting for support to get back to me.  

[THG63]

Thank you so much for your help. The transfer has begun 🙂 

[hudsonjack]

No worries, I can help! You can transfer your domain to Shopify while still hosting with SiteGround. Here's how:

1. Save Domain Records: Shopify needs the DNS records (like A, CNAME, MX records). You can get these from your SiteGround account, usually under DNS settings or domain management.

2. Transfer Domain to Shopify: You’ll need to unlock your domain in SiteGround and get an authorization code (EPP code). Then, initiate the transfer from Shopify.

3. Point Domain to Shopify: After the transfer, you’ll need to update the DNS settings to point the domain to Shopify's servers. Shopify provides the correct DNS records once the transfer is complete.

You can stay hosted with SiteGround during the transfer process, but make sure your DNS settings are updated to avoid any downtime. Shopify’s guide should walk you through the steps, but feel free to ask if you get stuck!