Which is preferred, retail store to setup on own domain or in shopify platform?
Both options have pros and cons, which I’ll outline below:
*Retail Store on Own Domain:*
Pros:
1. Full control: You have complete control over design, functionality, and user experience.
2. Customization: You can customize every aspect of your store to fit your brand.
3. No transaction fees: You don’t have to pay transaction fees to a third-party platform.
4. SEO benefits: You can optimize your store for search engines more effectively.
Cons:
1. Higher upfront costs: You need to invest in website development, hosting, and maintenance.
2. Technical expertise: You need technical knowledge to manage and update your store.
3. Security and updates: You’re responsible for ensuring security and updating software.
Shopify Platform:
Pros:
1. Easy setup: Setting up a store on Shopify is quick and easy.
2. Low upfront costs: You don’t need to invest in website development or hosting.
3. Scalability: Shopify handles scalability and performance for you.
4. Security and updates: Shopify handles security and updates, so you don’t have to worry.
Cons:
1. Limited control: You have limited control over design and functionality.
2. Transaction fees: You pay transaction fees to Shopify.
3. Customization limitations: You’re limited to Shopify’s customization options.
Consider the following questions to help you decide:
1. Do you want full control over your store’s design and functionality?
2. Are you comfortable with technical aspects of managing a website?
3. Do you prioritize scalability and ease of use?
4. Are you willing to pay transaction fees?
If you want full control and customization, setting up a retail store on your own domain might be the better choice. However, if you prioritize ease of use, scalability, and don’t mind some limitations, Shopify could be the way to go.
Question: Is it possible to link own domain with shopify platform?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to link your own domain with the Shopify platform. This is called a “custom domain” or “third-party domain” in Shopify. Here’s how:
1. Purchase a domain: Buy a domain name from a registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
2. Set up DNS records: Update your domain’s DNS records to point to Shopify’s servers.
3. Add domain to Shopify: In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains and add your custom domain.
4. Verify domain ownership: Verify your domain ownership through Shopify’s verification process.
5. Update domain settings: Update your domain settings to use Shopify’s servers.
Benefits of linking your own domain to Shopify:
– Professional branding: Use your own domain name, enhancing your brand’s professionalism.
– SEO benefits: Improve your search engine rankings with a custom domain.
– Flexibility: Keep your domain if you decide to leave Shopify in the future.
Shopify offers two options:
1. Connect existing domain_: Link your existing domain to Shopify.
2. Register a new domain: Buy a new domain directly through Shopify.
Follow Shopify’s documentation for step-by-step instructions on linking your own domain. If you need help, Shopify support is available to assist you.
