A Records and CNAME: Connecting Your Domain to Shopify

What are A Records and CNAME Records?

A records and CNAME records are DNS entries that tell the internet where to find your website. Think of them as forwarding instructions for your mail—they ensure visitors who type your domain name reach your actual Shopify store.

A Record (Address Record)

Points your domain directly to an IP address (a numerical server address like 23.227.38.65). This is the most direct routing method.

CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

Points your domain to another domain name, which then resolves to an IP address. It’s like a redirect that says “go look over there instead.”

When to Use Each Type

Use an A Record for:

• Your root domain (e.g., yourstore.com)
• Situations where you need to point directly to Shopify’s servers

Use a CNAME Record for:

• Subdomains (e.g., www.yourstore.com, shop.yourstore.com)
• When the destination IP address might change

Important: Root domains typically can’t use CNAME records (this is a DNS limitation). That’s why you need an A record for yourstore.com and a CNAME for www.yourstore.com.

Shopify’s Recommended DNS Settings

For a standard Shopify store setup:

Root Domain (yourstore.com)

Type: A Record Host: @ (or blank) Points to: 23.227.38.65

WWW Subdomain (www.yourstore.com)

Type: CNAME Host: www Points to: shops.myshopify.com

Step-by-Step Configuration

At GoDaddy

1. Log into your account
2. Go to My Products > Domains > DNS
3. Add an A record: Host @, Points to 23.227.38.65
4. Add a CNAME: Host www, Points to shops.myshopify.com
5. Save changes

At Namecheap

1. Log into your account
2. Go to Domain List > Manage > Advanced DNS
3. Add A Record and CNAME as specified above
4. Save changes

At Cloudflare

1. Log into your dashboard
2. Select your domain > DNS
3. Add the A and CNAME records
4. Set proxy status to “DNS only” (gray cloud) for Shopify compatibility

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Using CNAME for Root Domain

CNAME records don’t work for root domains at most DNS providers. Use an A record instead, or use a provider that supports CNAME flattening (like Cloudflare).

Wrong IP Address

Shopify’s IP address is 23.227.38.65. Using an old or incorrect IP prevents your store from loading.

Conflicting Records

Having both an A record and CNAME for the same subdomain causes conflicts. Remove duplicates.

Forgetting the WWW

Many customers still type www.yourstore.com. Without the CNAME for www, these visitors get an error page.

Verifying Your Configuration

After making changes:

1. Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours, usually faster)
2. Visit your domain in a browser
3. Check Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains for connection status
4. Use a DNS lookup tool to verify records are correct

How Recon Helps

Recon monitors your DNS configuration by:

• Verifying A records and CNAME records are correctly set for Shopify
• Detecting misconfigurations that prevent your store from loading
• Alerting you if DNS records change unexpectedly
• Providing step-by-step guidance for DNS setup at major registrars

FAQ

Q: How long until DNS changes take effect?

A: Usually within a few hours, but can take up to 48 hours. Don’t make additional changes during this period—give the original changes time to propagate.

Q: Can I point multiple domains to my Shopify store?

A: Yes. Each additional domain needs its own A and CNAME records pointing to Shopify. Then add the domain in your Shopify admin.

Q: What if my domain works but www doesn’t (or vice versa)?

A: You’re missing either the A record (root) or the CNAME (www). Check that both are configured correctly. Also verify Shopify shows both as connected in your domain settings.