Shopify DNS Setup Guide

How to Set Up DNS Records on Shopify

Shopify is the leading ecommerce platform, and connecting a custom domain requires proper DNS configuration. This guide covers how to set up DNS records for your Shopify store, whether your domain is registered through Shopify or an external registrar.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Access Shopify Domain Settings Navigate to domain management in your Shopify admin.
   • Log into your Shopify admin at admin.shopify.com
   • Click 'Settings' in the bottom left corner
   • Select 'Domains' from the settings menu
   • Click 'Connect existing domain' or manage your Shopify-registered domain
2. Configure DNS at Your Registrar Add Shopify's required DNS records at your domain registrar.
   • Shopify requires an A record pointing @ to 23.227.38.65
   • Add a CNAME record for www pointing to shops.myshopify.com
   • If your domain is registered with Shopify, DNS is managed directly in Shopify admin
   • For third-party domains, add records at your registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
3. Verify Domain Connection Confirm your domain is properly connected to Shopify.
   • Return to Shopify admin > Settings > Domains
   • Click 'Verify connection' to check DNS records
   • Shopify verifies A record and CNAME are correctly configured
   • SSL certificate is automatically provisioned after verification succeeds
4. Verify DNS Propagation Ensure DNS has propagated globally.
   • Shopify domain verification can take 24-48 hours
   • SSL certificate provisioning adds another 24 hours after DNS propagates
   • Use ReviewMyDNS to check DNS propagation status worldwide
   • Flush your local DNS cache to test changes immediately

Common DNS Record Types on Shopify

• A Record: Points your root domain to Shopify's servers. The IP address 23.227.38.65 is Shopify's standard A record value for all stores. Type: A, Host: @, Value: 23.227.38.65, TTL: 3600
• CNAME Record: Points the www subdomain to your Shopify store. This CNAME is required for Shopify to serve your store on the www subdomain. Type: CNAME, Host: www, Value: shops.myshopify.com, TTL: 3600
• MX Record: Routes email for your domain. Shopify doesn't provide email hosting - use Google Workspace, Zoho Mail, or another email provider. Type: MX, Host: @, Value: mx.google.com, Priority: 1, TTL: 3600
• TXT Record: Used for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and domain verification for third-party services. Type: TXT, Host: @, Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all, TTL: 3600

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Shopify says domain is not connected: Verify A record @ points to 23.227.38.65 and CNAME www points to shops.myshopify.com at your domain registrar. DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours. Use ReviewMyDNS to check if records have propagated. Click 'Verify connection' again after propagation.
• SSL certificate not provisioning: Shopify SSL certificates require DNS to be fully propagated first. Ensure A record and CNAME are correct. Wait up to 48 hours after DNS propagation. If SSL still fails, remove and re-add the domain in Shopify admin. Contact Shopify support if issues persist.
• Email not working with Shopify domain: Shopify does not provide email hosting. Set up a third-party email provider (Google Workspace, Zoho, ProtonMail). Add the provider's MX records at your domain registrar or Shopify DNS. Add SPF and DKIM TXT records for email authentication.
• Redirect between www and non-www not working: In Shopify admin > Settings > Domains, set your primary domain (www or root). Shopify automatically redirects the non-primary version. Both A record and CNAME must be correctly configured for redirects to work. Allow 24 hours for changes to take effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What DNS records does Shopify need? Shopify requires two DNS records: an A record for @ (root domain) pointing to 23.227.38.65, and a CNAME record for www pointing to shops.myshopify.com. These are the same for all Shopify stores regardless of your plan.
• How long does Shopify domain connection take? DNS propagation for Shopify typically takes 24-48 hours. After DNS propagates, SSL certificate provisioning adds another 24 hours. Total time from DNS change to fully working HTTPS site is usually 24-72 hours. Monitor with ReviewMyDNS.
• Can I use Shopify with a subdomain only? Yes, you can connect a subdomain (like shop.example.com) to Shopify using a CNAME record pointing to shops.myshopify.com. The root domain stays on your existing website. Configure this in Shopify admin > Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain.
• Does Shopify manage DNS automatically? If your domain is registered through Shopify, DNS is managed automatically and records are pre-configured. For third-party domains, you must manually add Shopify's A record and CNAME at your domain registrar. Shopify provides step-by-step instructions for popular registrars.