.com vs .store: A Guide to Choosing the Best Domain for Your Online Store
When it comes to setting up an online store, choosing the right domain name can make a whole lot of difference. It’s the first thing your customers see and can make a lasting impression. But with so many options available, it can be a daunting task to choose the perfect domain name. Two popular options are .com and .store, but which one is the better choice for your shop?
The .com domain name extension is undoubtedly the most recognisable and commonly used. In fact, it has become synonymous with the internet itself. Since its inception in 1985, .com has been the go-to choice for businesses looking to establish an online presence. The top-level domain (TLD) has achieved global recognition and is viewed as the gold standard in online branding.
On the other hand, .store is a newer domain extension, launched in 2016. It was specifically designed for e-commerce businesses and aims to help them create a unique online identity. The .store domain extension has seen a significant increase in adoption since its launch, with many e-commerce sites opting for this extension over the traditional .com domain.
So, Which One Is the Better Choice for an Online Store?
Well, it’s not so straightforward, as both domain extensions have their advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s start with .com. As we mentioned, .com has been the most popular domain extension for over three decades. Everyone knows it, and it is the default choice for many entrepreneurs and online businesses. This makes .com a safe and reliable option for businesses looking to establish their online presence. A .com domain is also more likely to be remembered by customers, as it is the default extension that people think of when they’re looking for a website.
But (and you knew there was a but coming) the popularity of .com also means that it is harder and harder to find a memorable domain name. Most of the good .com domain names have already been taken, and businesses may have to settle for a less-than-ideal domain.
On the other hand, .store is a relatively new domain extension that offers businesses the opportunity to stand out in a crowded online marketplace. The domain ending is specifically designed for e-commerce stores and is an excellent way to convey the purpose of the website to customers. The .store domain extension is also more likely to have available domain names, which means that businesses have a higher chance of securing their brand name or business name.
Furthermore, .store domain names are affordable, making them an excellent choice for startups, small businesses, and beginners with a limited budget. The domain extension is also memorable, brandable, and easy to remember, which can help businesses establish a unique online identity.
This means that choosing between .com and .store for an online store depends on the specific needs and goals of your business. If it’s established and has a well-known brand, a .com domain name may be the best option. However, if it is new and looking to establish a unique online identity and storefront, a .store domain name may be a better choice.
Why .store May Be a Better Choice for Online Store Owners
The .store domain extension offers several benefits to online store owners over the traditional .com domain extension. Here are some of the key advantages of using .store:
- Branding and Visibility: The .store domain extension is highly relevant to e-commerce websites and can help with your marketing strategy. It is a clear indicator to customers that the website is an online store, making it easier for them to find what they’re looking for. This can help increase visibility and brand recognition, ultimately driving more traffic and sales.
- Availability: With the rise in popularity of e-commerce, finding an available .com domain name can be a challenge. The .store domain extension offers a wider range of available domain names, making it easier for businesses to find a domain name that suits their brand and is relevant to their industry.
- Short and Memorable: .store is a short and memorable domain extension that is easy to remember. It can be used as a call-to-action to encourage customers to visit the online store, making it easier to drive traffic and increase sales.
- Trust and Credibility: The .store domain extension is highly relevant to the e-commerce industry and can help establish trust and credibility with customers. It shows that the website is dedicated to e-commerce and has a focus on selling products, helping to build a stronger connection with customers.
- SEO and SEM: Using a .store domain extension can help improve search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) efforts. It can help increase visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and make it easier for businesses to rank for relevant keywords related to their industry.
See If Your .store Is Available
Choosing a Domain Extension Depends on Various Factors
It is also worth considering different domain extensions that may be more suitable for specific industries or niches. For example, a .design domain extension may be more appropriate for a graphic design business, while a .legal domain extension may be more suitable for a law firm.
Ultimately, we can only give you generic one-size-fits-all advice. So, what you choose for your domain extension should be based on the specific needs of your business and your target audience. Because it’s your success that’s on the line. Just remember, it is important to choose a domain extension that is relevant to your business and helps your customers or visitors believe in you.
One thing to keep in mind is that you can always purchase multiple domain names and redirect them to your primary website. For example, a business could purchase both a .com and a .store domain name and redirect the spare domain name to its primary website. This would allow them to take advantage of the benefits of both domain extensions and ensure that customers can find them regardless of which domain name they type in.
