Transfer old domain to new store

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Issue: Move a .ca domain (blaraorganichouse.ca) from an active old Shopify store to a new store. The original instructions suggested .ca domains may not be supported, prompting alternatives.

Latest guidance: Use Shopify admin (Settings > Domains) to check transfer eligibility. If eligible, proceed with verification and transfer; if not, connect the domain via DNS rather than transferring.

Between-store moves: If the domain is third-party and used on another Shopify store, remove it from the first store and then add/connect it to the second store.

Additional suggestions:

  • Contact Shopify Support for clarification and assistance.
  • Consider transferring the domain to a registrar supported by Shopify, if registrar compatibility is an issue.
  • As a fallback, use a different domain purchased through Shopify or a supported registrar.

Notes: Domain transfers can take time; back up site content and settings before changes.

Key terms: “.ca” is Canada’s country-code domain. “Transfer” moves registration into Shopify; “connect” keeps registration at the current registrar and points DNS to Shopify. A “registrar” is the provider managing your domain registration.

Status: No resolution yet; actionable paths provided, pending eligibility check.

Summarized with AI on January 29. AI used: gpt-5.
1

I created a new store and I am going to transfer my old domain (blaraorganichouse.ca) to it. The old store is still running. I followed the instructions here. It indicates .ca domains are not currently not supported. Any suggestions? Thank you.

1 Like
2

Hi, @Hello123Me .

Thanks for posting your question to the Shopify Community!

I understand you’re looking to transfer your old domain to your new store and have followed the instructions in our community post. To confirm, are you looking to transfer your old domain to a new Shopify store or a different hosting platform?

In regard to .ca domains, you can use your Shopify admin to check your domain’s eligibility for transfer by following the steps listed here. For better visibility, I’ll share the steps below.

Steps:- From your Shopify admin, click Settings > Domains.

  • Do one of the following:
    • If you haven’t connected additional domains, then click Connect existing domain, and then click transfer it to Shopify.
    • If you have other domains connected, then click Transfer domain.
  • On the Transfer domain page, enter the domain that you want to transfer to Shopify. Don’t include www. at the beginning of the domain.
  • Click Next.
  • Do either of the following:
    • If your domain is eligible for transfer, then follow the steps to verify, connect, and transfer your domain to Shopify.
    • If your domain isn’t eligible for transfer, then connect your third-party domain to Shopify.

If this is a third-party domain and you’re looking to transfer it between Shopify stores, you’ll need to remove the domain from the first account/store and then add it to the second account/store as per a usual domain connection using our help center resource.

While you’re here, I had a chance to browse your store and must say you’ve done a great job of curating your storefront and making it easily accessible. I’d love to hear what social media platforms you generate the most traffic from.

3

Hello @Hello123Me ,

I am Gina from flareAI app helping Shopify merchants get $6Million+ in sales from Google Search, on autopilot.

If you’re having trouble transferring your .ca domain to your new Shopify store, there are a few things you can try.

  1. Contact Shopify support
    You can reach out to Shopify’s customer support team to see if they can assist you with the domain transfer. They may be able to provide you with more information about the issue or suggest alternative solutions.

  2. Transfer the domain to a supported registrar
    If your domain is currently registered with a registrar that is not supported by Shopify, you may need to transfer the domain to a different registrar that is supported. Shopify has a list of supported registrars on their website that you can check to see if your current registrar is listed.

  3. Use a different domain
    If you’re unable to transfer your .ca domain to your new Shopify store, you may want to consider using a different domain instead. Shopify allows you to purchase a new domain directly through their platform, or you can use a domain that you’ve registered with a supported registrar.

It’s important to note that domain transfers can take some time to complete, so be prepared for a potential delay in getting your new domain set up with your Shopify store. Additionally, it’s a good idea to make sure that all of your website content and settings are backed up before making any changes to your domain or store configuration.

Gina