What Is a .Store Domain? 

Key takeaways: 

• A .store domain is built for selling and is made specifically for online retail, giving your brand instant clarity and stronger alignment with eCommerce intent. 

• It’s a modern alternative to .com. With more availability and clear branding advantages, a .store helps you stand out without compromising SEO or trust. 

• You can secure your .store domain easily. Network Solutions makes it simple to search, register, and manage your .store domain from launching a new shop or upgrading your current one. 

If you’re selling something online in 2025, a .store domain might be what your brand needs. It’s clean and tells your audience right away that you’re open for business.  

In this guide, we’ll break down what a .store domain is, who it’s best for, why it can boost your brand, and how to use it strategically. If you’re wondering whether .store is a smart choice for SEO, customer trust, or future growth, then you’re in the right place. 

What is a .store domain? 

A .store domain is a top-level domain (TLD) designed specifically for online retail. Instead of going with a generic option like .com or .net, .store tells people that your website is about selling products.  

Launched in 2016 and managed by Radix Registry, .store has seen steady growth with over 250,000 registrations worldwide. It’s been adopted by online retailers, creators, and brick-and-mortar shops moving into digital sales. 

Why choose a .store domain? 

If your website is focused on selling products, a .store domain just makes sense.  But beyond that, there are a few smart reasons to choose .store over more traditional options. 

• Clearly signals you’re in the business of selling 

• Makes your brand more memorable 

• Supports your visibility in search 

• Helps establish trust 

• Gives you flexibility to grow 

Clearly signals you’re in the business of selling 

A .store domain makes your website’s purpose obvious. From the moment someone sees your URL, they know they’re visiting a place to shop—not a blog, portfolio, or service site. That clarity helps attract the right kind of visitors. 

Makes your brand more memorable 

Because .store is a newer extension, you’re more likely to find the exact name you want that are short, clean, and on-brand. That’s a big win if your ideal .com domain is taken or feels too generic. 

Supports your visibility in search 

TLDs like .store don’t directly boost SEO, but they can still help with relevance. When your domain aligns with what users are searching for, especially product-related terms, it can improve click-through rates and send the right signals to both users and search engines. 

Helps establish trust 

Customers are getting more familiar with newer domain extensions, especially when they match the intent of the site. A .store domain shows you’re running a real business with a clear retail focus, which can help build credibility. 

Gives you flexibility to grow 

Whether you’re launching a new eCommerce site or spinning up a campaign-specific landing page, .store works across the board. You can use it as your main site or as a branded domain for product drops, seasonal sales, or influencer campaigns. 

Who should use a .store domain? 

A .store domain is a flexible and brand-friendly option for anyone selling products online. If your website exists to move inventory, showcase products, or grow an online brand, .store is worth considering. 

Here are a few groups who can really benefit: 

• eCommerce-only businesses. If your entire business lives online, .store helps reinforce that your site is built to sell and not just inform. 

• Brick-and-mortar stores going digital. Expanding your physical shop to the web? A .store domain bridges the gap and keeps your brand consistent. 

• Creators and personal brands. Selling your own products, merch, or digital goods? A .store domain makes your product line feel more official when paired with a custom brand name. 

• Niche stores and specialty shops. Whether you sell rare collectibles or eco-friendly beauty products, a .store domain makes your offering clear. 

If you want your domain to speak directly to buyers, not browsers, .store does the job without needing extra words or explanations. 

Real brands and franchises using .store domains 

Major brands and franchises actively use the .store extension to power their online shops. Here are a few notable examples that show how versatile and credible this domain can be: 

Emirates 

You might know Emirates for luxury flights, but they also sell branded gear—luggage tags, travel kits, model airplanes, and more. The emirates.store gives them a separate space to sell directly to fans of the brand, without crowding their main airline site. 

Lorde  

Singer-songwriter Lorde keeps it simple with lorde.store, her go-to spot for selling music merch. The domain is short, personal, and easy for fans to remember. It also gives her full control over the store experience without relying on third-party platforms. 

Back To The Future  

The iconic film franchise created backtothefuture.store as its official merchandising storefront. It’s theme-relevant and gives film lovers a single, branded place to browse memorabilia and nostalgia-packed items. 

Paramore  

Alt-rock favorites Paramore have snapped up paramore.store for their merch hub. The URL currently shows a “Coming soon” splash page, but locking down the domain ahead of their next release is a move towards a dedicated storefront. Fans can expect to head straight to a .store address as soon as new tees or vinyl drop. 

Traditional domain extensions vs .store domain 

Choosing the right domain extension affects how people perceive your business and whether they click at all. While .com and .net are familiar, they’re not always the best fit for stores.  

Here’s how .store stacks up when compared directly: 

Aspect	.store	.com	.net
Primary purpose	Built for eCommerce and product sales	General-purpose, can be any site type	Originally for network/infrastructure sites
First-impression clarity	Instantly says “this is a shop”	Vague (could be a blog, biz site, etc.)	Doesn’t hint at retail; often feels techy
Name availability	High – many short, brandable options still open	Low – most prime names taken	Moderate – more open than .com, less than .store
Brand differentiation	Modern, retail-focused; stands out in SERPs and ads	Familiar but commoditized; easy to blend in	Often a fallback, not strongly tied to a brand story
Audience expectation	Shoppers looking to buy	Depends on context/content	May confuse retail visitors expecting tech content
Perceived trust	Growing quickly as big brands adopt	Very high due to long history	Moderate – respected but less common for stores
SEO impact	Neutral (no direct boost) but can improve click-through by matching shopping intent	Neutral; performs well with strong content	Neutral; offers no commerce-specific relevance
Versatility & scalability	Great for product launches, microsites, or full stores	Extremely versatile but harder to secure exact name	Technically flexible, brand-limited for retail
Best-fit scenarios	Online shops, merch lines, campaign-specific landing pages	Broad businesses, established brands, content sites	Tech services, internal tools, secondary domains

Note: All TLDs are treated the same by search engines. The “SEO impact” refers to user-facing signals like click-through rates, not ranking boosts. 

How to choose the right .store domain name 

Your domain name is often the first thing customers notice, and with .store, you’ve already got a head start. Now the goal is to make sure the rest of your domain is just as clear, brandable, and easy to remember. Here’s how to do it: 

• Keep it short and easy to spell. Long or complicated names are harder to type and easier to forget. Stick to one or two words max, and avoid slang or odd spellings. 

• Avoid hyphens and numbers. They make your domain harder to say out loud, and customers often forget where the dash or number goes. Keep it clean. 

• Use your brand name if possible. If your business name is available as a .store domain, grab it. This keeps your branding consistent across your website, email, and social media. 

• Add a keyword if it fits. If your brand name is taken, consider adding a product or niche-related word (like “gear,” “wear,” or “books”) to make it unique and searchable. 

• Check for trademark conflicts. Before finalizing your domain, do a quick trademark check to avoid legal issues down the line especially if you plan to grow. 

• Think long-term. Choose a name that still makes sense if your business expands. A niche term may limit you later, so go with something flexible if you have bigger plans. 

When not to use a .store domain 

While .store is a great fit for eCommerce brands, it’s not ideal for every type of business. Here are a few cases where another extension might make more sense: 

• Your site isn’t focused on selling 

• Your audience expects a .com 

• You’re working with older platforms or tools 

Your site isn’t focused on selling 

If your business is more about services, content, or community like a blog, portfolio, or consultancy then a .store domain may send the wrong signal. Visitors might expect to shop, not read or book an appointment. 

Your audience expects a .com 

Some industries still lean heavily on .com for trust and familiarity. If your customers are used to .com and might find anything else confusing, it’s worth considering how that affects perception. 

You’re working with older platforms or tools 

While most platforms support .store without issue, some legacy systems like older ad platforms or third-party integrations, may not recognize newer domain extensions properly. It’s rare, but worth checking if you’re using older tech. 

In these cases, you might want to stick with a more traditional domain or use .store as a secondary domain for campaigns or product-specific pages. 

How to register a .store domain with Network Solutions 

Claiming your .store domain is quick and straightforward with Network Solutions. If you’re launching a new business or securing a name for future use, here’s how to get started: 

1. Go to Network Solutions and type your desired .store domain name into the domain search bar.  

2. If your preferred name is available, it will be automatically to add it to your cart. If it’s taken, try slight variations or use a keyword related to your product or niche. 

3. You can select between three different options: DOMAIN ONLY, DOMAIN & ESSENTIAL HOSTING, and DOMAIN & PREMIUM HOSTING. The domain with hosting options also includes a free domain name and SSL certificates upon purchase.  

4. Select any domain add-ons you’d like to include with your domain, then click CONTINUE TO CART. 

5. Review all your details, including the final domain price, tools and add-ons you’ve selected. If everything is correct, click CONTINUE TO CHECKOUT 

6. Enter your billing and contact information, and then click SUBMIT PAYMENT. 

How to use a .store domain strategically 

A .store domain isn’t just for your main website. You can also use it to support campaigns, product launches, and sales efforts. 

Redirects and campaign pages 

Use a .store domain to create focused landing pages for limited time offers, seasonal collections, or influencer campaigns. 

• Example: If your main site is brand.com, you could set up brand.store to redirect users straight to your shop or a specific collection. 

• This keeps marketing links short, memorable, and aligned with eCommerce intent. 

Integration with platforms 

A .store domain works with all major eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and others. You can connect it easily through your store settings and use it as your primary or secondary domain. 

• Works with custom store builders, print-on-demand services, and multichannel setups. 

• Ideal for drop-shipping or product-focused microsites that need a clean, product-driven domain name. 

Get the best .store domain for your brand 

If you’re building an online store, your domain should work just as hard as the rest of your business. A .store domain tells people exactly what you do, makes your brand easier to remember, and gives your site a modern, retail-first identity. 

With more names still available than .com or .net, now’s a great time to secure a domain that fits your brand perfectly. 

Ready to claim yours? Start exploring available .store domains today with Network Solutions. 

Frequently asked questions