How to transfer a domain name from Wix to Shopify

This article will dive into how to transfer a Wix domain name to Shopify, helping you move your ecommerce store from one platform to another. 

Before you transfer your third-party domain to Shopify

Before you start transferring your domain, you have to:

Review all the requirements and considerations

If you’re considering transferring your domain, please note the following key points:

• Domain Ownership: Ensure you own the domain you wish to transfer. If it’s available and you don’t own it, you must purchase it first. If it’s not available, you will need to come up with an alternative that still suits your needs. Using Squadhelp’s domain naming tool is a fast and effective way to do this. It saves you having to rack your brain, and also checks up on availability at the same time.
• 60-Day Rule: After registering or transferring a domain or changing your registrar details, you must wait 60 days before transferring again.
• Renewal Fee: Transferring your domain requires paying for an additional 12-month renewal. This extends from the current expiry date of your domain.
• Possible Additional Costs: Check with your current domain provider about any transfer-related costs.
• Access: You need to access the account of your current domain provider and the associated email.
• Email Address Consideration: Your email address shouldn’t be linked to the domain being transferred. For instance, if transferring johns-apparel.com, don’t use an email like info@johns-apparel.com because the domain-related email becomes inactive during the process.
• Email Communication: Monitor and respond to confirmation emails to ensure a successful transfer.
• Email Hosting with Shopify: While Shopify doesn’t host emails, it offers unlimited email forwarding. Consider using a third-party email hosting service.
• Transfer Duration: The domain transfer can take up to 20 days, but your domain remains functional.
• Domain Restrictions: Only primary domains (e.g., johns-apparel.com) can be transferred to Shopify. Subdomains (e.g., www.johns-apparel.com) are not transferable.
• Custom DNS Records: Shopify won’t replicate any custom DNS records. Make sure to backup your DNS records to input them post-transfer.

Review your domain provider’s transfer policy. 

Before initiating the transfer, verify if your domain provider allows domain transfers. While most providers do, some might not. To find out, look up the “transfer domain” section in the help center of your domain provider. 

Verify if your domain can be transferred to Shopify.

To determine if your domain is transferable to Shopify:

Eligibility: Not all domains, like .ca or .co.uk, can be transferred. Only apex domains (e.g., johns-apparel.com) are eligible. Once transferred, you’ll need to set up subdomains again.

• Step 1: In your Shopify admin, click Settings > Domains.

• Step 2: Depending on your current setup:
  • If you haven’t added extra domains, click “Connect existing domain, then select “Transfer it to Shopify.”
  • If you’ve connected other domains, simply click “Transfer domain.”

• Step 3: In the “Transfer an existing domain” section, input the domain you want to transfer, omitting the “www.” prefix.

• Step 4: Click “Next.”

• Step 5: Depending on eligibility:

• If transferable: Proceed with the given steps to complete the transfer.
• If not, connect your domain to Shopify using a third-party provider.

Transfer the Wix’s domain name to Shopify: A Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Create Shopify Account

Before transferring a domain from Wix to Shopify, set up a Shopify account. While you can sign up for a free 3-day trial at Shopify.com, a payment method is needed to begin selling. 

Especially after naming your store and finalizing the initial setup, it’s crucial to link your domain to Shopify. This connection prevents potential website disruptions during the transfer. 

Step 2: Connecting Your Domain to Your Shopify Account

After purchasing a domain from a third-party provider, connect your existing domain to your Shopify. This ensures that when customers type in your URL, they are directed to your Shopify storefront. However, even after this connection, domain settings, payments, and renewals are managed through your original domain provider. 

Steps: 

• Log into Shopify.
• Visit Settings > Domains.

• Click “Connecting Existing Domain.” If you don’t see this option directly, click on “Actions” and then select “Connect Existing Domain.”

• Enter the domain name you connect.

• Click “Follow setting instructions” to access Shopify help guides tailored to your domain transfer. The procedure depends on your domain registrar. Some might request adjusting DNS settings or CNAME records to Shopify’s IP address, while others necessitate changing the A record to direct the domain to Shopify. 

• Afterward, return to Shopify and select “Verify Connection” to confirm the link. Remember, this can take up to 48 hours. 

Note: If unsuccessful after two days, review and check the steps, ensuring no eros in domain settings. If issues persist, contact your domain registrar for assistance. 

Step 3: Prepare your domain for transfer

To transfer your domain to Shopify, first unlock it and receive a transfer authorization code from your domain provider. Upon transferring, Shopify will set your domain’s A and CNAME records to its default settings. If your domain has extra records before the transfer, save a copy to add them in Shopify’s Domain section afterward.

Steps:

• Log into your external domain provider account.
• Ensure the email address is current and isn’t linked to the domain you’re transferring.
• Save any domain records you might require post-transfer.
• Choose “Unlock” for the desired domain to transfer, confirming if prompted by email.
• Select options like “Transfer this domain” or “Transfer out” to obtain a transfer authorization code.

Step 4: Transferring your own domain name to Shopify

To transfer your domain to Shopify, ensure you’ve prepared it appropriately. Then, follow these steps:

1. Start in the Shopify admin panel: Navigate to “Settings” > “Domains.”
2. For first-time domain connections
   • Select “Connect existing domain.”
   • Click “transfer it to Shopify.“

3. If you’ve connected domains previously
   • Click “Transfer domain.”

4. On the “Transfer an existing domain” page
   • Input the domain you’re transferring to Shopify (leave out the “www.” prefix).

5. Choose “Next.

6. Add the authorization code from your domain provider into the “Authorization code” field.

7. Click “Verify domain.”

8. On the “Approve charge” page

• Review all details in the “Domain to be registered” section.
• For automatic renewals, select “Auto-renew this domain every year.”
• Confirm the email and contact details for your Shopify store.
• Go through the ICANN policy and Domain Registration Agreement.
• In the “Charge summary” section, click “Approve.”

9. Email verification

• Keep an eye on the email linked with your domain for a transfer approval request.
• Adhere to the instructions in that email for approval. If you disapprove, the transfer won’t be finalized.

10. Post-transfer

• The process can take up to 20 days.
• Once done, Shopify will send a confirmation email.
• Manage your domain settings via Shopify’s “Domains” page from that point on.

11. Troubleshooting

• If the transfer isn’t completed after 20 days, scour your Junk or Spam folders for related emails.
• If you can’t find relevant emails, reach out to Shopify Support.
• Should the domain transfer not succeed, you will be refunded the 1-year renewal charge.

Step 5: Manage your data use consent preferences

Once your domain transfer is finalized, you’ll receive an email titled “Control how your data is shared.” This email, from Tucows Inc., the parent company of OpenSRS (Shopify’s domain reselling partner), provides a link to change your Data Use Consent Settings. Remember, granting consent is entirely up to you, and you can revoke it whenever you wish.

If you’re ready to move from Wix to Shopify store, follow these steps to make the migration process smooth in Wix to Shopify Migration: A Comprehensive Guide.

Transfer domain name from Wix to Shopify: FAQs

Bottom Line

Transferring a domain name from Wix to Shopify streamlines the online shopping experience by consolidating web services. This transition enhances domain management and optimizes the user’s e-commerce journey on the Shopify platform.