How can I use my new domain from Hostgator on Shopify?

Shopify Discussion
1

I’m completely new to this and I’m sure this question has been asked many times before, but here goes: I purchased a domain name from hostgator a week ago. Now I’d like to use the domain on Shopify. I went to transfer it to Shopify, but it is locked within the 60 days. So now what do I do? Do I even need to transfer it? Can I have hostgator host it for 60 days or whatever just so I can use it right now and then transfer it to Shopify later? Like I said, I’m completely new here and am just looking for my next step. I guess I should have purchased the domain through Shopify to make it easier. But I didn’t, so now I need to make it work somehow else. Thank you for any help and suggestions!

2

@southofmotown – welcome.

You don’t need to transfer the domain. You can modify the DNS settings with hostgator to point your domain to Shopify. If you ask me, that’s the way I would suggest to anyone – not hosting with Shopify. It gives you just more freedom.

Since @Hilary_3 already compiled a pretty conclusive post at in the Connecting Hostgator parked Domain with Shopify thread, I’d suggest you take a look at it and check back if questions remain!

All the best,
Mario

3

Thank you for the help. So if I point my domain from Hostgator to Shopify, I need need to have Hostgator host my website, right? In other words: Hostgator is the only option to host my website because that’s where I purchased my domain and it is within 60 days? That’s going to cost me at least $10 a month, whereas Shopify offers free hosting. So how does that offer me more freedom than having Shopify host it for free? Again, thank you for your help , as this is all completely new to me.

4

@southofmotown - nope - hostgator would host your domain, Shopify would become your website.
makes sense?

5

Yes, but I will have to pay Hostgator to host my site whereas Shopify would host it for free if I transferred my domain to Shopify (which I cannot do right now because it is within 60 days). What is the advantage to paying Hostgator to do what Shopify would do for free?

6

Okay, just an update… I could not change my records because I don’t have a paid hosting package with Hostgator. However, I contacted them through online chat and they were able to update the CNAME and A record, as per the help video that you referenced above. Then I was able to verify my third-party domain on Shopify and make it my primary domain. So far so good! Thanks for your help!

7

Hi @southofmotown ,

Hyde here from Shopify. Good questions!

When using a third-party domain there are two options available to you:

  1. You could transfer the third-party domain over to Shopify but as you rightly pointed out, there is a 60-day lock on doing so (which is standard for any domain - there’s more information on that in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

  2. You can connect your domain to your Shopify account while it is hosted by a third party, as @r8r correctly advised. This essentially means you stay with Hostgator but point all traffic from your domain to your Shopify site. This might be the best option for you while you wait 60 days before you can transfer it.

Here’s a video walking you through the steps, although it appears you’ve already correctly achieved this step - nice one!

Also, if you want to use a custom email (southofmotown@reallycoolstore.com for example) then check out our guide on email forwarding with third-party domains. Methods for forwarding mail from third-party domains to your own email address vary, and it’s impossible to give specific instructions for every domain provider, but you will likely have to do one of the following:

  • Log in to your third-party account and use their website to add your email address or edit your MX records.
  • Contact your provider for help with email forwarding. Tell them you need all of your mail forwarded to your other (preferred) email address.

What kind of store are you opening? And have you had a look at our Youtube tutorial to help you along the way quickly and confidently?

I hope all the above information helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

All the best, Hyde.