Should I create a new store or use an international domain?

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Topic summary

Goal: Move US traffic off Global‑e to a US experience (us.example.com) using Shopify’s native checkout, with the same product catalog and potential US‑specific content later.

Key guidance:

  • To run a true US subdomain with USD checkout and separate admin/inventory, create a second Shopify store. Pointing a subdomain to the existing store would still charge in GBP.
  • International Domains can work if on the Shopify ($79) plan or higher and using Shopify Payments with multi‑currency, but limitations apply:
    • No change to VAT/tax inclusive vs. exclusive pricing.
    • All currencies remain technically available on every domain (selectors can be hidden).
    • No automatic translation; requires an app.
    • No localized inventory or catalog control (can’t offer different products by country).
    • Shopping feeds (e.g., Google Shopping) support a single domain/currency; multi‑currency isn’t supported in feeds.

Pricing/discount note:

  • A multistore discount was described (primary store on Shopify or Advanced; additional stores billed at the next tier down, e.g., $79, while keeping the primary store’s features), set up via billing escalation. Another participant later questioned whether this discount still exists.

Shopify Plus:

  • Migration specifics were not provided; advised to contact Plus Sales. Status: Unresolved; open questions on discount availability and chosen path.
Summarized with AI on January 1. AI used: gpt-5.
5

@ajmarriage

Ah, yes! International Domains.

This feature would be applicable if:

  • You are on the “Shopify” ($79/month) plan or higher
  • Using Shopify Payments and our multi-currency feature

Some things to be mindful of if you used International Domains:

  • International domains do not improve or change the way we handle tax/VAT inclusive or exclusive pricing

  • All currencies are technically available on every domain (although removing selectors can reduce the discoverability of non-default currencies).

  • Domains do not translate your theme or content for you - you will still need to manage that within an app.

  • International domains do not touch things like localized content, inventory, or product catalogues i.e. you cannot only offer product x to some countries and then product y to other countries.

  • Shopping feeds, such as Google Shopping, are only compatible with single domains and currencies. You can configure advertising campaigns with the relevant URLs manually, but cannot account for multiple currencies in these feeds.

Let me know if you have any questions!

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