Is Shopify my website host? Am I paying twice?

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

A user discovered they’re paying both Shopify and HostGator and questioned whether they’re being charged twice for the same service.

Clarification provided:

  • Shopify hosts the actual website and store content on its own servers
  • HostGator is likely only providing domain registration and/or email hosting services
  • The two services serve different purposes and aren’t duplicative

Recommendations offered:

  • Review the HostGator plan details to identify exactly what services are being paid for
  • If paying for full web hosting on HostGator (not needed for Shopify), consider canceling that portion
  • Keep only domain registration or email hosting if those services are being used
  • Alternatively, transfer the domain to another registrar or migrate email to Google Workspace/Zoho Mail for better Shopify integration

Resolution: The user thanked respondents for the clarification. The issue appears resolved with the user now understanding their service breakdown.

Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I have a Shopify site and I have hosting on HostGator. HostGator is telling me that they’re not hosting my site and it must be hosted by Shopify. Am I paying for HostGator for email hosting only?

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2

HI @brilliantelixir

Shopify uses its own servers for hosting your website. But your domain is on HostGator. Then in Shopify Doman settings, it is connected with Hostgator.

So you are not paying twice for the same thing. Unless you have, besides a domain, a full hosting package on Hostgator you do not need that part for the Shopify store. So you could cancel that part and leave just the domain if possible. Or transfer your domain to some other domain name registrar.

Hope this clears some things.

3

Hi @brilliantelixir

Shopify is your website host, meaning your actual store and all its content are hosted on Shopify’s servers, you don’t need separate web hosting. If you’re still paying HostGator, it’s likely for domain registration, email hosting, or other services (like a parked domain).

Check your HostGator plan details if you’re only using it for email, you can keep it, but if you’re paying for full web hosting, you might be able to cancel it and save money. You can also move your email hosting to Google Workspace or Zoho Mail for a more Shopify-integrated experience.

4

thank you so much!

5

deep thanks!

1 Like
6

Ok. Hang in there! Hope its well!