Have a .pk domain and want to use it with your Shopify store? Connecting a .pk domain requires an extra step because PKNIC does not provide DNS services to domain applicants.
You can manage your .pk domain's DNS through Cloudflare and then point the required DNS records to Shopify. This guide explains the process step by step, including how to set up Cloudflare, update your DNS records, and connect the domain from your Shopify admin.
Why Do .pk Domains Need Cloudflare for Shopify?
When you connect a third-party domain to Shopify, you need access to its DNS records so you can point the domain to Shopify.
PKNIC manages the .pk domain namespace and its registry, but it does not provide web hosting, email, or DNS services to domain applicants.
Cloudflare can provide the DNS management layer you need. Once your domain is active on Cloudflare, you can add and manage the records required by Shopify from the Cloudflare dashboard.
What You'll Need Before Starting
Before you begin, make sure you have:
An active .pk domain
A Shopify store with admin access
Access to your domain account
A Cloudflare account
Shopify currently uses the following DNS records for a manually connected third-party domain:
Record | Name | Value |
A | @ | 23.227.38.65 |
AAAA | @ | 2620:0127:f00f:5:: |
CNAME | www |
23.227.38.65 is Shopify's default IPv4 address. Shopify may provide another supported IP address for your region, so if Shopify shows a different value in your domain settings, use the value Shopify provides.
Step 1: Create a Cloudflare Account and Add Your .pk Domain
First, create a Cloudflare account and add your domain.
If you already have a Cloudflare account with the domain added, you can move to the next step.
Log in to Cloudflare.
Select Add a site or Add a domain.
Enter your .pk domain, such as yourstore.pk or yourstore.com.pk.
Select the Free plan.
Let Cloudflare scan your existing DNS records.
Review the records and add any missing ones.
Cloudflare will provide nameservers for your domain.
You then need to update your domain's nameservers to the ones provided by Cloudflare. The exact process depends on how your .pk domain is managed.
After changing the nameservers, allow some time for the update to take effect.
Step 2: Point Your .pk Domain to Shopify Through Cloudflare
Once Cloudflare is active for your domain, you can add the Shopify DNS records.
Log in to your Cloudflare account.
Select your .pk domain.
Go to DNS → Records.
Review your existing A, AAAA, and CNAME records.
Update or remove conflicting records as required.
Add the Shopify records shown below.
Update the A record
Find the A record for your root domain.
For example:
Set it to:
Type: A
Name: @
IPv4 address: 23.227.38.65
Shopify recommends having only one A record pointing to its supported IPv4 address.
Update the AAAA Record
Shopify also currently uses an IPv6 address for third-party domains.
Set the AAAA record to:
Type: AAAA
Name: @
IPv6 address: 2620:0127:f00f:5::
If your DNS provider does not accept the shortened IPv6 format, Shopify provides this expanded version:
2620:0127:f00f:0005:0000:0000:0000:0000
If there are other AAAA records pointing somewhere else, remove them to avoid conflicts.
Update the www CNAME Record
Now find the CNAME record for www.
Set it to:
Type: CNAME
Name: www
Target: shops.myshopify.com
Shopify's documentation currently specifies shops.myshopify.com. as the CNAME target.
Set Cloudflare to DNS Only
For the Shopify records, make sure Cloudflare's proxy is turned off.
In Cloudflare, the record should show DNS Only with the grey cloud instead of Proxied with the orange cloud.
Shopify's current troubleshooting guidance specifically recommends checking that no Cloudflare proxy is present when resolving domain connection issues.
Your DNS records should now look similar to this:
Type | Name | Value |
A | @ | 23.227.38.65 |
AAAA | @ | 2620:0127:f00f:5:: |
CNAME | www |
Read also: How to Point a Domain to Shopify on Cloudflare?
Step 3: Connect Your .pk Domain in Shopify
Once your DNS records are updated, go to your Shopify admin.
Open Settings.
Select Domains.
Click Connect existing domain.
Enter your .pk domain, such as yourstore.pk.
Click Next.
Select Connect domain.
Enter the root domain without www, as Shopify's manual connection process instructs.
Shopify will check your DNS configuration and show the connection status.
How Long Does It Take to Connect a .pk Domain to Shopify?
DNS changes may take some time to appear across the internet. Shopify states that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, and the domain may show a pending or incomplete status during this period.
If your domain does not connect immediately, avoid repeatedly changing the DNS records. First, confirm that the records are correct and then allow time for propagation.
Common .pk Domain and Shopify Connection Issues
Shopify Says the Domain is Not Connected
Check that:
Your A record points to 23.227.38.65 or the IP address Shopify provided.
Your AAAA record points to 2620:0127:f00f:5::.
Your www CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com.
You have only one A record and one AAAA record for the root domain.
Shopify-related records are set to DNS Only in Cloudflare.
Your Cloudflare nameservers are active.
You have allowed up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.
Shopify recommends checking these records when troubleshooting a third-party domain connection.
Your Old Website is Still Showing
If your previous website is still loading, check your Cloudflare DNS records for old A, AAAA, or CNAME records that point to the previous hosting provider.
A conflicting DNS record can send visitors somewhere other than your Shopify store.
Shopify Shows an SSL or HTTPS Error
If your domain is connected but SSL is still pending, first check your A, AAAA, and CNAME records. Shopify notes that SSL provisioning can depend on correct DNS configuration and may take up to 48 hours.
If you use CAA records, they also need to allow Shopify's certificate authorities. Shopify currently lists Let's Encrypt, Google Trust Services, and SSL.com for this purpose.
How to Connect Your .pk Domain Directly to Shopify
If your .pk domain provider gives you access to DNS management, you can point your domain directly to Shopify without adding another DNS service.
Log in to your domain provider and open the DNS Management section. Update the required records with Shopify's current values:
A: @ → 23.227.38.65
AAAA: @ → 2620:0127:f00f:5::
CNAME: www → shops.myshopify.com
Once you've saved the changes, go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains → Connect existing domain and enter your .pk domain. Shopify will check the DNS configuration and display the connection status.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video
Prefer following the process visually? Watch our video guide for connecting a domain to Shopify through Cloudflare:
Watch the Websouls Shopify Domain Connection Guide
Connect Your .pk Domain to Shopify
The process for connecting a .pk domain to Shopify has an extra DNS step because PKNIC does not provide DNS services. Once your domain is managed through Cloudflare, the rest of the setup is simple: point the A and AAAA records to Shopify, point www to shops.myshopify.com, turn off Cloudflare's proxy, and connect the domain from your Shopify admin.
If the domain does not connect immediately, check the DNS records first and allow up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate.
FAQs on How to Connect Your .pk Domain with Shopify
Will switching my .pk domain's nameservers to Cloudflare affect my existing email?
It can, if your email is tied to your previous DNS provider. Once nameservers move to Cloudflare, you'll need to recreate your MX records there too; otherwise, incoming mail may stop working. Our email hosting guide explains how MX records fit into this.
Do I still need web hosting once my .pk domain is connected to Shopify?
No. Shopify hosts your store's files, handles uptime, and manages performance on its own servers once the domain is connected, so a separate hosting plan isn't required for the store itself.
Where can I buy a .pk domain if I don't already have one?
You can register a new .pk domain through an accredited registrar. Websouls' .pk domain page lists available extensions and pricing if you're starting from scratch before connecting to Shopify.
Can I transfer my .pk domain to a different registrar before connecting it to Shopify?
Yes, transferring registrars is possible and doesn't require connecting through Shopify first. If you're considering a switch, our domain transfer guide covers eligibility requirements and the general process.
Does connecting to Shopify affect my .pk domain's SSL certificate?
Shopify automatically issues and manages SSL for connected domains, so a separate certificate purchase generally isn't needed for the storefront.
What happens to my old website if I move it to Shopify using the same .pk domain?
Your previous site's content stays on its original hosting unless removed separately. Once DNS records point to Shopify, visitors will reach your new store instead.
