Changing your primary domain on Shopify is a common task for store owners who are rebranding, moving to a custom domain, or improving SEO. Your primary domain is the main URL customers see in their browser, and choosing the right one is critical for branding, trust, and search rankings.
This guide walks you through how to change your primary domain in Shopify and explains the SEO considerations you must handle afterward to avoid losing traffic.
What Is a Primary Domain in Shopify?
Your primary domain is the default address Shopify uses across your storefront, checkout, and marketing links. Even if you have multiple domains connected, only one can be set as primary at a time.
Examples:
yourstore.com(custom domain)yourstore.myshopify.com(Shopify default domain)
For branding and SEO, Shopify strongly recommends using a custom domain as your primary domain.
How to Change Your Primary Domain on Shopify
Follow these steps to change your Shopify primary domain:
- Log in to your Shopify Admin
- Go to Settings
- Click Domains
- Select the domain you want to make primary
- Click Change domain type
- Choose Primary domain
- Click Save
Once saved, Shopify automatically updates your storefront to use the new primary domain.
What Happens After You Change the Primary Domain?
After changing your primary domain:
- All storefront links update to the new URL
- Customers are automatically redirected to the primary domain
- Shopify continues to host other connected domains, but they are no longer primary
However, SEO work is not finished yet—this is where many store owners make costly mistakes.
SEO Best Practices When Changing Your Shopify Domain
To protect your search rankings and traffic, follow these SEO steps carefully:
Set Up 301 Redirects
If you are switching from an old custom domain to a new one, ensure 301 redirects are in place. Shopify automatically handles redirects between connected domains, but you should:
- Confirm old URLs redirect properly
- Avoid redirect chains
- Test key product and collection pages
Update Google Search Console
- Add the new domain as a property
- Submit an updated sitemap
- Monitor indexing and coverage issues
Update External Links
Update your primary domain anywhere it appears:
- Google Ads
- Social media bios
- Email marketing links
- Backlinks you control
Avoid Frequent Domain Changes
Changing domains too often can confuse search engines and weaken domain authority. Make sure your new domain is final and long-term.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving the
.myshopify.comdomain as primary - Forgetting to test redirects
- Not updating Google Search Console
- Launching a new domain without SEO monitoring
Final Thoughts
Changing your primary domain on Shopify is quick, but doing it correctly for SEO requires planning. By setting your new domain as primary, managing redirects, and updating search engine tools, you can preserve rankings while strengthening your brand.
If you’re rebranding or launching a new domain, take the extra time to verify everything—your organic traffic depends on it.