Your Shopify store is designed, your products are loaded, and everything looks ready. Now it's time for the final launch steps: connecting your domain, adding business details, setting up payments, and removing the storefront password.

Step 1: Add Your Custom Domain

A custom domain makes your store look professional and trustworthy. Shopify gives every store a default myshopify.com URL, but customers should usually see your branded domain instead. Shopify lets you buy a new domain, connect a domain you already own, or transfer a domain into Shopify.

To add a domain:

  1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
  2. Go to Settings > Domains.
  3. Choose one of these options:
    • Buy new domain if you do not already own one.
    • Connect existing domain if you bought your domain through GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains/Squarespace, Bluehost, or another provider.
    • Transfer domain if you want Shopify to manage the domain going forward.
  4. Follow Shopify's instructions to verify the domain.
  5. Once connected, set it as your primary domain so customers see your branded web address.

If you buy the domain directly through Shopify, setup is usually simpler because Shopify automatically configures the domain settings for you.

Step 2: Add Your Business Details

Before launching, make sure your store's business information is accurate.

Go to Settings > General and review:

  • Store name
  • Legal business name
  • Business address
  • Customer-facing email address
  • Store currency
  • Time zone
  • Phone number, if applicable

These details may appear on invoices, customer emails, checkout pages, and payment records, so they should match your actual business information.

Step 3: Set Up Payment Processing

Next, make sure customers can actually pay you.

Go to Settings > Payments.

For many merchants, Shopify Payments is the easiest option because it allows your store to accept major payment methods without setting up a separate merchant account.

To activate Shopify Payments:

  1. Go to Settings > Payments.
  2. Find Shopify Payments.
  3. Click Activate or Complete account setup.
  4. Enter your business type, tax details, personal verification information, and bank account for payouts.
  5. Choose the payment methods you want to accept.
  6. Save your settings.

You can also add other payment methods from Settings > Payments > Additional payment methods, where Shopify lets you search for and activate additional providers.

Before launching, confirm that:

  • Your bank account is correct.
  • Your payout settings are complete.
  • Credit card payments are enabled.
  • PayPal or other express checkout options are connected, if desired.
  • Test mode is turned off before real customers start ordering.
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Step 4: Review Checkout, Shipping, and Taxes

Before removing the password, place yourself in the customer's shoes.

Check:

  • Shipping rates
  • Delivery zones
  • Tax settings
  • Return policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact page
  • Product photos
  • Product descriptions
  • Checkout flow
  • Mobile layout

Even if your store looks finished, one missing shipping rate or incorrect tax setting can stop customers from completing checkout.

Step 5: Remove the Storefront Password

Shopify stores often have a password page while they are under construction. When you are ready to launch, remove it.

To remove the password:

  1. From Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Preferences.
  2. Scroll to the Password protection section.
  3. Uncheck the option that restricts access to visitors with a password.
  4. Click Save.

Once this is removed, your store is publicly accessible.

Step 6: Do One Final Live Test

After the password is removed, visit your store from a browser where you are not logged into Shopify.

Check that:

  • Your custom domain loads correctly.
  • Products can be added to cart.
  • Checkout opens properly.
  • Payment methods appear.
  • Shipping rates display.
  • Confirmation emails look professional.
  • The mobile version looks clean.

Final Launch Checklist

Before announcing your store, confirm:

  • Custom domain is connected.
  • Primary domain is set.
  • Business details are accurate.
  • Payments are active.
  • Shipping and taxes are configured.
  • Store policies are published.
  • Password protection is removed.
  • A full test order has been completed.

Once those steps are complete, your Shopify store is officially live and ready for customers.

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