You get a free SSL certificate (the little padlock icon) right out of the box, which is essential for customer trust [3, 4].

Shopify’s domain prices are fair, but third-party registrars often have lower introductory rates or bulk discounts if you plan on owning 20 variations of your brand name [1, 6]. The Verdict

If you ever decide to move your store to a different platform (like WooCommerce or Magento), having your domain at a neutral registrar makes the transition much smoother [4, 6].

You are tech-savvy, want the lowest possible long-term price, or want the freedom to switch platforms easily in the future [4, 6].

The Case for Third-Party (Namecheap, Google, etc.): The Exit Strategy

You are a first-time founder who wants to focus on selling products, not troubleshooting technical settings [2, 3].