All posts
How to connect Namecheap domain to Shopify is a common question for store owners who already have a domain registered with Namecheap. You can connect your existing domain to Shopify without transferring the domain registration, but you need to configure the correct DNS records first.
For most stores, the setup takes only a few minutes. However, existing DNS records, email settings, nameservers, or domain verification can cause problems if they are not configured correctly.
This guide walks you through the complete process, including the DNS records you need, how to verify your domain, what happens to your email, and what to do if your Namecheap domain is not connecting to Shopify.
Boost Your Conversion Instantly with Nudgify: Turn your website visitors into customers with real-time Social Proof and FOMO Nudges. Get Started Now →
Can You Connect a Namecheap Domain to Shopify?
Yes. You can connect a domain registered with Namecheap to Shopify without transferring the domain registration to Shopify.
Your domain can remain registered and renewed through Namecheap while your Shopify store uses that domain as its customer-facing website address. You simply point the necessary DNS records from Namecheap to Shopify.
Connecting a domain is different from transferring it. If you only want your Namecheap domain to work with your Shopify store, you generally do not need to transfer the domain.
Connect or Transfer Your Namecheap Domain to Shopify?
Before changing your DNS settings, decide whether you want to connect the domain or transfer its registration.
Increase Trust & Sales with Social Proof
Boost trust, engagement, and conversions with Social Proof — tailored for any industry and easy to integrate. Seamlessly manage client access with our team portal.
| Option | Where the domain stays registered | DNS management | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect | Namecheap | Namecheap | Store owners who want to keep their domain at Namecheap |
| Transfer | Shopify | Shopify | Store owners who want domain management through Shopify |
For most people searching for how to connect Namecheap to Shopify, connecting the domain is the simpler option. You can keep managing your registration and renewal through Namecheap while using Shopify to host your online store.
What You Need Before Connecting Namecheap to Shopify
Before you begin, make sure you have access to both your Namecheap account and Shopify admin.
- Your Namecheap account login
- The domain you want to connect
- Access to Namecheap Advanced DNS
- Access to your Shopify admin
- A record of any existing DNS settings you need to keep
If your domain is already being used for email, carefully review your existing DNS records before changing them. Removing an email-related record can affect your ability to send or receive messages.
What DNS Records Does Shopify Need?
For a standard root domain such as example.com, Shopify’s current Namecheap setup uses an A record for the root domain and a CNAME record for www.
| DNS record | Host | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 23.227.38.65 |
| CNAME | www | shops.myshopify.com |
Shopify’s current manual third-party domain instructions also include an IPv6 AAAA record. However, the Namecheap-specific Shopify setup provides the A and CNAME configuration above, so always follow the records Shopify displays for your particular domain connection.
How to Connect a Namecheap Domain to Shopify
Step 1: Add Your Namecheap Domain in Shopify
Start in your Shopify admin and open:
Settings → Domains
Select Connect existing domain and enter your Namecheap domain.
Enter the root domain, such as example.com, rather than adding www at the beginning. Shopify will then show the connection status and the information needed to connect the domain.
Step 2: Open Your Namecheap DNS Settings
Log in to Namecheap and open your domain list.
Find the domain you want to use with Shopify, select Manage, and open Advanced DNS.
This is where you can manage the host records that determine where your domain points.
Step 3: Use Namecheap’s Shopify DNS Template
Namecheap provides a Shopify DNS template that can simplify the setup for supported domains.
In Namecheap, open the DNS Template section under Advanced DNS and select Shopify. Review the changes before saving them, particularly if your domain already has DNS records that you need for email or another service.
If you have important existing DNS records, save a copy before applying the template. This gives you a reference if you need to restore a record later.
Step 4: Manually Configure the DNS Records
If you prefer to configure the records yourself, locate the Host Records section in Namecheap Advanced DNS.
For the root domain, the A record should point to Shopify’s current IPv4 address:
A record: @ → 23.227.38.65
For the www version of the domain, configure the CNAME record as:
CNAME: www → shops.myshopify.com
Use the default TTL unless Shopify or Namecheap specifically instructs you to change it.
Step 5: Check for Conflicting DNS Records
This is one of the most important steps when connecting a Namecheap domain to Shopify.
If another A record is pointing your root domain somewhere else, Shopify may not be able to verify the connection. Likewise, another www CNAME can conflict with Shopify’s required CNAME.
Check your DNS records for duplicate or conflicting entries before attempting verification again.
Do not automatically delete every existing DNS record. MX records, TXT records, and other DNS entries may be required for email or third-party services.
Step 6: Return to Shopify and Connect the Domain
Go back to your Shopify admin and open:
Settings → Domains
Select your domain and follow the prompts to connect it.
Shopify will check the DNS configuration and display the connection status. If the records are correct, the domain will move through the connection process.
Step 7: Complete Domain Verification if Required
Shopify may ask you to verify ownership of the domain by adding a TXT record.
If Shopify requests this verification, copy the TXT value provided in your Shopify admin. Then return to Namecheap’s Advanced DNS settings and add a new TXT record using the host and value Shopify provides.
Save the record and return to Shopify to confirm that you updated your DNS records.
Do not create a random TXT value. Use the exact verification value generated by Shopify for your domain.
How Long Does It Take for Namecheap to Connect to Shopify?
DNS changes are not always visible immediately. Namecheap notes that its Shopify DNS template changes can take some time to take effect, while Shopify states that a connected third-party domain can take up to 48 hours to become fully live.
If the domain does not connect immediately, avoid repeatedly changing the DNS records. First confirm that the records are correct, then allow time for the changes to propagate.
How to Set Your Namecheap Domain as the Primary Shopify Domain
Once your Namecheap domain is successfully connected, you can make it your primary domain in Shopify.
Go to:
Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains
Select the connected domain and choose the option to make it your primary domain.
Your primary domain is the address customers will see when they visit your Shopify store.
Will Connecting Namecheap to Shopify Affect Your Email?
Connecting a domain to Shopify does not automatically mean you have to stop using your existing email service.
However, changing DNS records can affect email if you remove or modify the records used by your email provider. This is why it is important to review your existing MX records before changing DNS settings.
If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Namecheap Private Email, or another email service, keep the required email DNS records unless your provider tells you otherwise.
Namecheap Domain Not Connecting to Shopify? Try These Fixes
1. Check the A Record
Make sure the root domain’s A record points to the Shopify IP address required for your connection.
If another A record is also present, it can create a conflict. Shopify’s current manual connection instructions require the domain to have the appropriate Shopify A record rather than multiple competing A records.
2. Check the www CNAME Record
Make sure the www CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com.
If another CNAME uses the www host, remove or replace the conflicting record as appropriate.
3. Check Your Nameservers
Your domain’s nameservers determine where its DNS records are managed.
If your Namecheap domain uses custom nameservers connected to another DNS provider, changing records in Namecheap may not affect the live DNS configuration. Make sure you are editing DNS records at the provider that actually manages your domain’s nameservers.
4. Look for Conflicting DNS Records
Duplicate A records, incorrect CNAME records, or other conflicting DNS settings can prevent Shopify from verifying your domain.
Compare your current DNS configuration with the records Shopify requests for your domain.
5. Check for Shopify TXT Verification
If Shopify asks you to verify domain ownership, add the TXT record provided in your Shopify admin.
Make sure the host and value are entered exactly as Shopify provides them.
6. Wait for DNS Propagation
If your records are correct but Shopify still shows the domain as pending, the changes may simply need more time to propagate.
Shopify states that a domain can take up to 48 hours to become fully live after connection.
7. Check the Domain’s Connection Status in Shopify
Return to Settings → Domains in Shopify and select your domain to review its current connection details.
If Shopify identifies a specific DNS problem, fix that issue rather than changing unrelated records.
Shopify SSL Not Working After Connecting Namecheap
Shopify provides SSL/TLS protection for connected domains, but the certificate cannot be properly provisioned until the domain’s DNS configuration is correct.
If your domain is connected but HTTPS is not working yet, first confirm that the DNS records are correct and that there are no conflicting records or DNS redirects interfering with the setup.
Give the domain time to finish connecting before making additional changes.
How to Connect a Namecheap Subdomain to Shopify
You can also connect a subdomain such as shop.example.com to Shopify.
For a subdomain, the DNS setup is different from connecting the root domain. Shopify’s Namecheap instructions specify that a root-domain A record is not required when connecting a subdomain. Instead, the relevant subdomain should use a CNAME pointing to Shopify.
For example:
store.example.com → shops.myshopify.com
The exact host name depends on the subdomain you want to use.
What If You Want to Transfer Your Namecheap Domain to Shopify?
Connecting and transferring are two different processes.
When you connect the domain, Namecheap remains your registrar and you continue managing the domain registration through Namecheap.
When you transfer the domain, the domain registration moves to Shopify. Transfer eligibility depends on the domain extension and other requirements.
If your only goal is to use your Namecheap domain for your Shopify store, transferring it is not necessary.
How to Disconnect a Namecheap Domain From Shopify
If you no longer want to use the Namecheap domain with your Shopify store, you can manage the connected domain from Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains.
Before disconnecting or changing the domain, consider whether the domain is still being used for email, redirects, marketing materials, or links to your store.
If you plan to connect the domain to another website, update the DNS records only after confirming where the domain should point next.
Key Takeaways
- You can connect a Namecheap domain to Shopify without transferring it.
- The main setup requires configuring the appropriate A and CNAME records in Namecheap.
- The current standard Shopify values include 23.227.38.65 for the IPv4 A record and shops.myshopify.com for the www CNAME.
- Shopify may request a TXT record to verify domain ownership.
- Check for conflicting DNS records before attempting to connect the domain.
- Do not remove important MX records if your domain is being used for email.
- Make sure your DNS records are managed by the provider associated with your active nameservers.
- DNS changes can take time to propagate, and Shopify says a connected domain can take up to 48 hours to become fully live.
- Once connected, you can make your Namecheap domain the primary domain for your Shopify store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Namecheap domain with Shopify?
Yes. You can connect a domain registered with Namecheap to Shopify without transferring the domain registration. You only need to configure the required DNS records and connect the domain through Shopify.
Do I need to transfer my Namecheap domain to Shopify?
No. You can keep your domain registered with Namecheap and use it with Shopify. Transferring the domain is optional and is separate from connecting it to your Shopify store.
What DNS records does Shopify need from Namecheap?
For a standard root domain, Shopify’s Namecheap setup uses an A record pointing to Shopify’s required IPv4 address and a www CNAME pointing to shops.myshopify.com. Shopify may also require an AAAA record or TXT verification depending on the connection setup.
How long does it take to connect Namecheap to Shopify?
DNS changes may take time to propagate. Shopify states that a connected third-party domain can take up to 48 hours to become fully live.
Why is my Namecheap domain not connecting to Shopify?
Common causes include incorrect A or CNAME records, conflicting DNS records, custom nameservers, incomplete TXT verification, or DNS propagation that has not finished.
Will connecting Namecheap to Shopify affect my email?
It can if you change or remove the DNS records used by your email provider. Review your MX and other email-related DNS records before changing your Namecheap DNS settings.
Can I keep my domain registered with Namecheap?
Yes. Connecting a Namecheap domain to Shopify does not require transferring the domain registration. You can continue managing your domain registration and renewal through Namecheap.
Can I connect a Namecheap subdomain to Shopify?
Yes. A subdomain such as shop.example.com can be connected to Shopify using a CNAME record pointing to Shopify. The DNS setup for a subdomain differs from the setup for a root domain.
Related Articles
