I’m sure you have seen the Myshopify domain amount right?
Or, if you’re about to sign up for Shopify you are about to see it.
Regardless:
A ton of people search to understand exactly what it is.
So, I thought we might as well review it to help you understand it better.
Let’s go ahead and dive in:
What is MyShopify?
MyShopify is a free URL that is provided by Shopify when you first create your which is also known as a subdomain.
So, when you sign up you will see something similar to this
yourstorename.myshopify.com
This is a normal standard by any website builder in general because there has to be some type of domain for your website before you actually buy your own domain.
Pros and cons of MyShopify
Let’s check out some key pros and cons you should consider when deciding to use a MyShopify domain and the added benefits of using it.
Or:
The benefits of investing in buying a domain:
Pros:
- Free with every Shopify plan
- Works immediately without setup
- Good for testing your store
- Serves as a permanent backup URL
Cons:
- Looks unprofessional to customers
- Can’t be changed once created
- Doesn’t support custom email addresses
- It may hurt brand recognition and trust
So, is MyShopify a scam?
In short, no it’s totally not a scam at all and is just the standard when you sign up.
It’s perfect for many things such as testing, artists, bands, or any creative person since it’s free and they don’t have to sell anything.
Well, at least at first.
The key regardless is to verify regardless the eCommerce website is legit and not running a scam.
So, what are some key reasons you are seeing a MyShopify subdomain?
- Not maintained
- A developer is using it for a demo
- The site is abandoned
- A dropshipping company using MyShopify.com
- Testing, artists, bands, or any creative person (like I mentioned earlier)
So, is MyShopify suitable for your business needs?
In my opinion, if your website is live and you are viewable to anybody I would not depend on the MyShopify subdomain.
Yes, in theory, it’s going to be suitable and be free but I feel as you grow your business it doesn’t provide the peace of mind or look of a legit business.
I mean, think about it do you want yourbusinessname.com or yourbusinessname.myshopify.com
I look at it since you can purchase a domain for about $15 annually why wouldn’t you?
We will check out how to do that a bit later also.
Let’s look at the main reasons you shouldn’t use it:
- Subdomains just don’t look right: Think about all the websites you go to. Very rarely we run across subdomains and usually, we have an awareness of basic domain structures.
- Losing brand identity: All the traffic coming to your site is seeing MyShopify in your domain. Do you want them to confuse that with who you are? After all, Shopify is larger so most likely that will stick to them more.
- Domains are cheap: I’m sorry but for $15 annually you can brand your domain. I can’t figure out why you wouldn’t want to do that.
- SEO value: The structure of your domain name can play a key role in SEO. (will break this down more)
So, overall yes a MyShopify domain is suitable for a business but it doesn’t mean you should take this direction at all.
How can you find your MyShopify domain (and make changes)
Seeing how yours is set up is quite easy.
To find you’re you just need to log in and then get to your main dashboard
From here just look up at the URL bar and you will see yours
Here is mine.
Now, you can also find the domain options under settings.
The settings button is on the left side near the bottom.
Then if you look for the menu button titled domains click on that.
From here you will see a screen showing the ability to purchase a custom domain as well see your current MyShopify domain.
If you notice you can also change your MyShopify domain right here too which is handy.
My final thoughts on MyShopify
As someone landing on a MyShopify website you know it’s not a scam and an actual subdomain offered free by Shopify.
However, as a visitor, you need to do your research to understand the website you’re on better too.
Take the time and ask yourself does it seem real and get a better feel for it.
A few other key things to verify the MyShopify site could be seeing if they have policies in place, shipping guidelines, reviews on reputable 3rd party sites such as Trustpilot, and active social media accounts.
As a Shopify user, your MyShopify website will be perfect for testing while you are setting it up to take it live.
I don’t recommend it at all for an actual store and would like to see you purchase your own custom domain.
Frequently Asked Questions About MyShopify
What is MyShopify and how does it work?
MyShopify is the free domain name that comes with every Shopify store when you sign up. It looks like yourstore.myshopify.com and serves as your default web address. This subdomain works instantly and doesn’t require any setup from you.
Why does my Shopify store have a myshopify.com URL?
Every new Shopify store gets a myshopify.com URL automatically when you create your account. It’s included free with all Shopify plans and acts as your store’s temporary address while you set up your brand.
Can I change my MyShopify domain name after creating my store?
Unfortunately, you can’t change your MyShopify domain once it’s created. If you want a different MyShopify URL, you’ll need to create a new Shopify account. However, you can connect a custom domain to replace it.
Is having a myshopify.com domain bad for business?
A myshopify.com domain isn’t professional for long-term business. It doesn’t build brand trust and looks temporary to customers. Most successful stores switch to custom domains like yourstore.com for better credibility and marketing.
How do I hide my MyShopify URL from customers?
You can hide your MyShopify URL by connecting a custom domain to your store. Once connected, customers will see your branded domain instead. The MyShopify URL will still work but won’t be visible to visitors.
What’s the difference between MyShopify domains and custom domains?
MyShopify domains are the free myshopify.com URLs given to every store, while custom domains are purchased separately and look like yourstore.com. Custom domains offer better branding and professional appearance than MyShopify URLs.
Can I use my MyShopify domain for marketing and SEO?
You can use your MyShopify domain for marketing, but it’s not recommended for SEO. Search engines and customers prefer branded domains. Using a custom domain helps with search rankings and brand recognition.
Do I need to keep my MyShopify domain forever?
No, you don’t need to keep using your MyShopify domain forever. Most store owners switch to custom domains within their first few months. The MyShopify domain stays active as a backup but isn’t necessary for operations.
How do I find my MyShopify URL if I forgot it?
You can find your MyShopify URL in your Shopify admin dashboard under domains settings. It’s also shown in your store settings and appears in your browser when you’re logged into your admin panel.
Does MyShopify cost extra money to use?
MyShopify domains are completely free and included with every Shopify plan. There are no extra charges for using your myshopify.com URL. You only pay for custom domains if you choose to purchase them separately.
Can multiple stores share the same MyShopify domain?
No, each MyShopify domain is unique to one store only. When you create your account, Shopify checks if your chosen name is available. If taken, you’ll need to pick a different name for your store.
What happens to my MyShopify URL when I add a custom domain?
Your MyShopify URL stays active even after adding a custom domain. It redirects visitors to your new custom domain automatically. You can still access your store through the MyShopify URL if needed.
Are there any limitations with MyShopify domains?
MyShopify domains work fine for store functionality but have branding limitations. They don’t support email addresses, look less professional, and can’t be customized beyond the store name you choose during signup.
The post What Is MyShopify (Understand This Domain Better) appeared first on Create A Website Today.
