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How to transfer domain from Wix to Shopify is a common question for store owners moving from Wix to Shopify. The process involves checking your domain’s eligibility, unlocking the domain, obtaining your authorization code, and completing the transfer through Shopify.
You need to check whether your domain is eligible, unlock it at Wix, obtain the authorization code, and make sure your email and DNS settings are documented.
It is also important to understand that transferring your domain is not the same as migrating your Wix website. Your domain registration can move to Shopify while your website content, products, customers, and SEO settings require a separate migration process.
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Can You Transfer a Wix Domain to Shopify?
Yes. If you own a domain registered through Wix, you can transfer the domain to Shopify as long as it meets Shopify’s transfer requirements.
When you transfer the domain, Shopify becomes the domain provider. You can then manage the domain’s settings, billing, renewal, and DNS configuration from your Shopify admin instead of managing the domain through Wix.
However, some domains cannot be transferred directly to Shopify. If your domain is not eligible, you can usually connect the Wix domain to Shopify instead while keeping the domain registered with Wix.
Transfer vs. Connect: What’s the Difference?
| Transfer Your Domain | Connect Your Domain |
|---|---|
| Shopify becomes the domain provider. | Wix remains the domain provider. |
| You manage domain settings in Shopify. | You manage DNS and domain settings through Wix. |
| Shopify handles domain renewal and billing. | Wix continues handling renewal and billing. |
| The transfer can take longer to complete. | Connecting can be faster. |
| Useful if you want domain management in one place. | Useful if you want to keep your existing domain provider. |
If you are not ready to transfer the domain, connecting it to Shopify is an alternative. You can transfer it later when it becomes eligible or when you decide that you want Shopify to manage the domain.
What to Check Before Transferring Your Wix Domain
Before starting the transfer, prepare your domain first. Doing this can prevent problems with your website, email, or DNS configuration.
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Check Your Domain’s Transfer Eligibility
Shopify requires domains to meet certain transfer conditions. For example, you generally need to wait 60 days after registering a domain, transferring it to another provider, or making certain changes to registrar information before transferring it again.
Some domain extensions also cannot be transferred directly to Shopify. If your domain extension is not eligible, you can connect the domain to Shopify instead.
Make Sure You Can Access Your Wix Account
You need access to the Wix account where your domain is managed. You should also have access to the email address associated with the domain transfer because you may need to approve the transfer.
Use an Email Address That Is Not Based on the Domain
Before transferring the domain, check the email address associated with your domain account. Avoid relying on an email address that uses the domain you are transferring, such as info@example.com.
During the transfer, you may need to receive and respond to transfer confirmation messages. Using an independent email address helps prevent you from losing access to those messages.
Save Your Existing DNS Records
Make a copy of your current DNS records before transferring the domain. Pay particular attention to MX, TXT, CNAME, and other custom DNS records.
This is especially important if you use your domain for business email, verification services, marketing tools, or other third-party applications.
What Happens to Your Wix Website When You Transfer the Domain?
Transferring a domain does not automatically move your Wix website to Shopify.
Your domain registration and your website content are separate things. Moving the domain only changes where the domain is managed and how it is configured.
If you are moving your entire website from Wix to Shopify, you will need to separately migrate the content and store data you want to keep, such as products, customers, orders, reviews, pages, images, and other content.
Does Transferring the Domain Delete Your Wix Website?
Transferring the domain does not mean that all of your Wix website content is automatically transferred to Shopify. Once the domain is no longer managed by Wix, it will no longer remain connected to your Wix website in the same way.
If you are replacing your Wix website with a Shopify store, build and test your Shopify website before making the final domain switch.
Should You Build Your Shopify Store Before Transferring the Domain?
In most cases, it makes sense to prepare your Shopify store first. Add your products, configure payments and shipping, customize your theme, test checkout, and make sure your important pages are ready before making the domain transition.
This approach gives you more control over the launch and reduces the risk of sending visitors to an unfinished store.
How to Prepare Your Wix Domain for Transfer
Once you have confirmed that your domain is eligible, prepare it for transfer through Wix.
1. Log In to Your Wix Account
Sign in to the Wix account that manages your domain and open your domain management settings.
2. Find Your Domain Transfer Settings
Locate the option for transferring the domain away from Wix. The exact wording and location of settings can change as Wix updates its interface.
3. Unlock Your Domain
A domain that is locked cannot normally be transferred to another domain provider. Unlock the domain before starting the transfer.
Keep the domain unlocked until the transfer is completely finished. Locking it again too early can interfere with the transfer process.
4. Get Your Domain Authorization Code
Request the domain authorization code, also known as an EPP code, from Wix.
This code confirms that you are authorized to transfer the domain. Keep it available because Shopify will ask for it during the transfer process.
5. Save Your DNS and Email Settings
Before moving forward, save a copy of your current DNS records. If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email provider, make sure you know which DNS records are required to keep your email working.
How to Transfer Domain From Wix to Shopify
After preparing your domain, you can start the transfer from Shopify. The process is completed through your Shopify admin.
Step 1: Open Shopify Domain Settings
Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Settings > Domains.
If you have not connected another domain, select the option to connect an existing domain and then choose the option to transfer it to Shopify. If you already have domains connected, select Transfer domain.
Step 2: Enter Your Wix Domain
Enter your domain name in Shopify without www. For example, enter example.com rather than www.example.com.
Select Next and Shopify will check whether the domain can be transferred.
Step 3: Enter Your Authorization Code
Enter the authorization or EPP code you received from Wix.
Shopify will verify the code and continue the transfer process if the domain meets the requirements.
Step 4: Review Your Domain and Contact Information
Review the domain registration details and make sure your contact information is accurate.
Also review the domain renewal option and any applicable charges before approving the transfer.
Step 5: Approve the Domain Transfer
Check the email account associated with your domain transfer. If you receive a transfer approval message, follow the instructions to authorize the transfer.
Do not ignore these emails. Failing to approve a required transfer request can prevent the transfer from being completed.
Step 6: Wait for the Transfer to Complete
Domain transfers do not always happen immediately. Shopify states that a transfer can take up to 20 days, depending on the domain extension and transfer process.
Your domain may continue working during the transfer. Once the transfer is completed, Shopify will provide confirmation and your domain will appear in your Shopify domain settings.
How Long Does It Take to Transfer a Wix Domain to Shopify?
A Wix to Shopify domain transfer can take several days, and Shopify states that some transfers can take up to 20 days.
Do not confuse the transfer period with DNS propagation. After a domain is transferred, DNS changes can take additional time to become fully active across the internet.
If your domain has been pending for longer than expected, check your email and spam folder for messages requesting approval or additional action.
Will Your Email Stop Working After Transferring the Domain?
Your website domain and email service are related through DNS, but they are not the same service.
Shopify does not provide traditional email hosting for your custom domain. If you use a third-party email provider, you may need to restore or recreate the required DNS records after the domain transfer.
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