How to Connect Your SiteGround Domain to Shopify Store

Are you struggling to connect your SiteGround domain to your Shopify store? You’re not alone. Many e-commerce entrepreneurs face this challenge when setting up their online presence. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can successfully link your domain and get your Shopify store up and running smoothly.

Understanding Domain Connection Basics

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand what connecting a domain to your Shopify store entails.

What is Domain Connection?

Domain connection is the process of linking your custom domain name (purchased from a domain registrar like SiteGround) to your Shopify store. This allows customers to access your store using your branded domain name instead of the default Shopify URL.

Why is it Important?

Connecting your domain is crucial for several reasons:

1. Brand consistency
2. Improved customer trust
3. Better search engine optimization (SEO)

Common Challenges

Many users encounter obstacles when trying to connect their SiteGround domain to Shopify. These can include:

• Confusion about DNS settings
• Difficulty finding the correct options in SiteGround’s control panel
• Uncertainty about which records to modify

The Manual Connection Method

While Shopify offers automatic domain connection for some providers, SiteGround requires a manual approach. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Access Your SiteGround Account

Log in to your SiteGround account and navigate to the domain management area. This is where you’ll make the necessary changes to point your domain to Shopify.

Step 2: Locate DNS Settings

Find the DNS settings for your domain. In some cases, you may need to purchase a hosting plan to access advanced DNS settings if they’re not immediately available.

Step 3: Modify DNS Records

This is the most critical step in the process. You’ll need to make the following changes:

1. Create or modify the A record:

   • Point it to Shopify’s IP address: 23.227.38.65
   • Set the host name to ’@’ if required
   • Remove any other existing A records

2. Set up the CNAME record:

   • Create a CNAME record with the name ‘www’
   • Point it to ‘shops.myshopify.com’

Step 4: Save Changes and Wait

After making these modifications, save your changes. It’s important to note that DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, so be patient if your domain doesn’t connect immediately.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with clear instructions, you might encounter some hurdles. Let’s address some common problems and their solutions.

Unable to Find DNS Settings

If you can’t locate the DNS settings in your SiteGround account, you may only see an option to “Manage Nameservers.” In this case:

1. Consider purchasing a hosting plan to access advanced DNS settings
2. Contact SiteGround support for assistance in accessing these settings

Domain Not Verifying in Shopify

If Shopify isn’t recognizing your domain connection:

1. Double-check that you’ve entered the correct IP address and CNAME record
2. Ensure you’ve removed any conflicting DNS records
3. Wait at least 48 hours for DNS propagation before contacting support

EPP Code and Registrar Lock

Some users have reported needing to unlock the registrar lock and obtain an EPP code. While this is typically part of the domain transfer process, it’s not usually necessary for simply connecting your domain. If you’ve done this and are still facing issues:

1. Verify that you’ve correctly set up the A and CNAME records
2. Contact Shopify support for further assistance

Alternative Solutions

If you’re still struggling to connect your SiteGround domain to Shopify, consider these alternatives:

Transfer Your Domain to Shopify

While this requires an upfront payment for a year of domain registration, it can simplify the process:

1. Initiate a domain transfer in your Shopify admin
2. Pay for one year of registration (often cheaper than other providers)
3. Your existing registration time with SiteGround will be added to this new year

Temporary Hosting Plan

If you’re not ready to transfer your domain:

1. Purchase a short-term hosting plan with SiteGround
2. Use this to access advanced DNS settings
3. Set up your domain connection as described earlier

Maintaining Your Domain Connection

Once you’ve successfully connected your domain, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Regular Checks

Periodically verify that your domain is still correctly pointing to your Shopify store. This can prevent unexpected downtime.

Renewal Considerations

If you’ve purchased a hosting plan solely for DNS management:

1. Be aware of when it expires
2. Decide whether to renew or transfer your domain before expiration

Keeping Records

Maintain a record of your DNS settings in case you need to reference or modify them in the future.

By following this guide, you should be able to successfully connect your SiteGround domain to your Shopify store. Remember, while the process may seem daunting at first, taking it step-by-step will lead you to success. If you encounter persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to both SiteGround and Shopify support for additional assistance.

For more information on managing domains in Shopify, visit https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/domains.