When most people think about creating a website, the usual .com or .net domain extensions come to mind. However, a .store extension might be the better choice if you want to create an online shop. But what is a .store domain? When should you choose it over the other options? And is this just a passing trend?
If any of these questions have crossed your mind, you’re asking all the right questions, and below, we’ll help answer them for you.
Whether you’re a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just looking for new ecommerce opportunities, this article is for you.
What is a .store domain name?
Every website has a domain name. This is the address online users use to access a specific site.
For us, that’s domainwheel.com.
In addition, each website also has a domain extension. There are so many to choose from. Some of the most popular ones include .com, .net, and .org.
Each extension carries its own meaning and association.
Among these popular options, .com has become the go-to choice for many businesses and organizations worldwide, with 47.5% of websites choosing this route [1].
It has a broad and versatile appeal and makes it ideal for many different types of online businesses.
👉 However, there are a few challenges in choosing a .com extension. These include:
- The increasing competition for desirable .com names.
- The challenge to build a brand and differentiate it from the rest when most websites use .com.
These challenges are some of the reasons why alternative extensions have emerged. One of them being .store.
A .store extension is specifically designed for businesses, entrepreneurs, and people who want to establish an online presence related to selling products or services.
When online users come across this extension, they won’t wonder: “Is this a blog? Could it be an entertainment site?”
No. They may not know too much about the website, but they’ll be clear on one thing – this is an online store.
Benefits of using .store domains
Now that you have an overview of .store, you might be wondering if it’s a good domain extension? Why should you choose it over other options? Let’s talk about it.
1. .store extensions are often available ✅
Traditional domain extensions are often saturated and have limited availability because most people want them. This often leads to people compromising on the name they want or choosing complex variations.
But that’s not the case with .store extensions. Since most people aren’t readily choosing them, the domain name you want has a much higher chance of being available compared to its .com counterpart. This is beneficial to businesses that are looking to secure a specific web address for their online store.
2. Google won’t penalize you 🚦
Another question you may ask yourself is, “Does Google prefer certain domain extensions over others?”
The answer is No. Google confirms that “overall, our systems treat new gTLDs (generic top-level domains) like other gTLDs (like .com and .org).”
This means having a specific domain extension doesn’t negatively affect how Google sees your website. So, you can confidently choose whichever domain extension you prefer – including .store. In fact, not only will Google not penalize you, but .store extensions are actually…
3. Good for SEO 🚩
There are many ways that using a .store domain name can help with your SEO:
- It gives clarity on the purpose of your website. So, when search engines crawl and index your site, the .store tells them that your website focuses on selling things. This can help your site rank higher for relevant search queries.
- Users who are looking to buy what you sell are more likely to click on your site because the .store tells them that this is a shop. As a result, you can get more relevant website traffic. This can also help reduce bounce rates, which can potentially send a positive signal to search engines (though there is some debate in SEO circles about this) [2]. Either way, a lower bounce rate can only help your business efforts because if people are bouncing, then they aren’t buying.
4. They’re flexible 💪
When a website has a .org extension, this tells users that this is an organization (usually a nonprofit).
When a website has a .blog extension, this tells users that this is a blog.
Having a .store domain extension tells users you have an online shop. However, it doesn’t limit you to any specific industry or product category.
Whether you’re selling fashion apparel, home decor, handmade crafts, pet supplies, gourmet food, or anything else, a .store domain accommodates them all.
This can be very helpful, especially if you plan to explore different avenues in the retail space. Or, when market trends change, and you have to adapt, having a versatile extension can help to accommodate this.
Now that you understand the .store domain meaning and some of the incredible advantages of choosing it, let’s get into how to select the right one for you.
How to choose the right .store domain name for your business in 4 steps
- Step 1: Lead with your niche
- Step 2: The simpler, the better
- Step 3: Make it brandable
- Step 4: Avoid similar .store domain names
Step 1: Lead with your niche 🧑💻
When choosing domain names, your niche should always be at the top of your mind. By aligning your domain with your niche, you can create a name that resonates with your audience.
For this first step, you can use our DomainWheel Name Generator.
To get started, type in a keyword or phrase related to your business or brand and click “Search Domain.”
For this example, let’s say you plan on opening a vegan food store.
This will give you instant suggestions for domain names.
The great thing about this tool is that you can personalize the results. To do this, just click “Search Filter.”
Under “domain extensions,” as a default, the “com,” “net,” “info,” “blog,” and “org” will be ticked. You can go ahead and untick them. Then, scroll down to select “store,” and click “Apply.”
This will reveal domain names that you can use with a .store extension. If you like any ideas, you can click “View Details” next to the domain name to register and buy it through Bluehost.
From the search results, there’s also a creative feature that will suggest names that sound like and rhyme with your search query, as well as a random suggestions column for more creative options.
The tool is free, so you can use it as many times as you like or until you find the right domain name for you.
Step 2: The simpler, the better 🖱️
A straightforward, simple, and easy-to-remember domain name is always better than a complicated name that’s difficult to spell and may lead potential customers to error pages or the wrong website.
👉 But how can you ensure you’re on the right track? You’ll need to:
- Keep the domain name short and easy to spell.
- Use common, everyday words that are familiar to your target audience.
- Avoid spelling variations that can confuse customers.
Step 3: Make it brandable 💼
Choosing a brandable name helps you create a memorable brand identity for your online store. A brandable name is unique, memorable, and helps you stand out from the competition.
👉 To select a brandable name, you can:
- Start by reflecting on your industry. Try to think of phrases or words that are common in that space. This can help potential customers know what your website is all about.
- Think about the message you want to convey. What are your brand values? What image do you want to portray? What do you want your customers to think of when they see your name?
- Avoid names that are too similar to existing brands or websites. You want your customers to see your name and only think of you and your brand, no one else.
- Make it easy to pronounce. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools. Having a name that’s easy to pronounce can make it easier for your customers to spread the word about your online store.
In addition to the above points, it’s important to also consider your future goals when choosing a domain name. You want a name that will remain relevant as you expand your brand in the future.
For example, let’s say you choose “babyclothing.store” for your domain name. If all you want to ever sell is baby clothes, that’s fine. However, if you plan to start with baby clothing now and then expand to adult clothes, sportswear, and other types of clothing in the future, it’s not ideal.
Step 4: Avoid similar .store domain names 💡
This may be the last point on our list, but it’s definitely not the least important.
Avoiding similar domain names is important because it helps prevent customer confusion.
If there are multiple websites with similar .store domain names, it can lead to mix-ups, customers landing on the wrong websites, or even associating your brand with some other one.
For example, if there’s a website named bestdeals.store, and you buy the domain thebestdeals.store, customers may mistakenly land on the wrong site, which can impact both business’ reputation and sales.
Being unique also helps to strengthen your brand identity.
A similar name can dilute your brand and make it difficult for customers to differentiate your store from others on the market. On the other hand, having a unique name that sounds and looks nothing like any of the others on the market can help you stand out from the competition.
It’s time to create your shop 🛒
From the above, we hope you can see that the .store domain name can be a game-changer for online shops.
It lets you communicate your niche, build a strong brand, and enhance your SEO efforts.
By choosing a simple and brandable .store domain name, you can effectively engage with customers, stand out from the competition, and establish a credible online presence.
So, whether you’re selling fashion, electronics, apps, pet food, or accessories, don’t miss the opportunity to secure a .store domain extension.
Now that you have an answer to “what is a .store domain?”, you might be interested in actually launching your store. For that, you should check out our guides on starting your own business, how to create an online store, and how to launch a new website.
