How To Choose the Best Domain Name for Your eCommerce Business

Key takeaways:

• Choosing the right domain name can impact your brand’s credibility, making it essential for gaining customers.
• A concise and easy-to-remember domain name increases the likelihood of repeat visits and word-of-mouth marketing.
• While .com is the most trusted, .store, .shop, and niche-specific top-level domains (TLDs) can effectively communicate your business and reach the desired audience.

First impressions matter. When picking a name for your online store, the right domain name can be the difference between gaining and losing a customer.

In fact, 75% of consumers say a brand’s domain name plays a role in whether or not they trust the business. Your domain name is a fundamental aspect of your brand identity, not just a web address.

In this article, we’ve put together some practical tips and strategies to help you choose the perfect domain name for your eCommerce business. We’ll cover why it’s important, how to pick the best one, and explore domain extension options that work well for your brand.

Why choosing the best domain name for eCommerce matters

Your domain name does more than tell people where to find your site. It shapes how people perceive your brand, how easily they remember you, and how well you perform in search results.

Here’s why choosing the right domain name is worth your attention:

• It can boost your click-through rate (CTR). Customers often decide which websites to visit based on the link’s trustworthiness. In one study, .com domains earned 23% more clicks than .io, even though the page content was the same. It demonstrates that users will likely click your link if the domain feels right.
• It indirectly affects your SEO performance. While domain extensions don’t affect rankings, Google does look at user behavior. Higher CTRs, longer dwell time, and lower bounce rates tell Google your site is relevant.
• It supports your local SEO strategy. If you plan to focus on a specific country, using a country-specific top-level domain (ccTLD) like .ca or .co.uk helps your site rank better in local search results. Search engines associate these extensions with geographic locations, giving you an edge on local searches.
• It strengthens your brand identity. A unique and brandable domain helps you stand out. If your name is distinctive, easy to pronounce, and emotionally resonant, you will likely stick in your customers’ minds.

How to choose the best domain name for your eCommerce website

Picking the right domain name is one of the most important decisions for your eCommerce business. It’s your online identity and is important in how your site is remembered—or forgotten.

Here are some practical tips to ensure you pick a memorable name that aligns with your brand’s goals.

• Make it concise and memorable. Long and complicated domain names are difficult to recall and prone to typos. If possible, keep it under three words and within 7-15 characters. The simpler it is, the more likely people are to remember it.
• Avoid numbers, hyphens, and tricky spellings. These elements make your domain harder to say out loud and easier to remember inaccurately. Stick with words that are easy to pronounce and type. If you have to explain how to spell it, it’s probably not the best choice.
• Use keywords that reflect your niche. If you can naturally include a keyword related to your products or services, that’s a plus. Keywords can help communicate what your business does and may offer a small boost in search visibility. However, don’t force them if they break the readability or make your domain sound clunky—branding matters more.
• Pick a domain extension that matches your brand’s audience. Stick with .com if you can. It’s the most recognized and trusted TLD. But if it’s unavailable, alternatives like .store, .shop, or your country’s ccTLD can still work well. Just ensure it aligns naturally with your business and brand.
• Check domain name availability. Getting attached to a name is easy until you find out it’s already taken. You can use Network Solutions’ Domain Search Tool to check if your preferred name is available. If not, try slight variations or different extensions that still feel on-brand. You can also buy the already taken domain if you want to build your brand around that specific name.
• Keep branding consistent across all platforms. Before locking in a domain name, check if the matching handle is available on social media. You want your brand to look cohesive everywhere your customers might find you—Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Tools such as Namecheck.com or BrandSnag can help you check a domain name’s availability across all social media platforms.
• Verify if there are trademark conflicts. Before you finalize your domain name, ensure another business hasn’t already trademarked it. Even if the domain is available, using a trademarked name can lead to legal issues, forcing you to rebrand later. If you’re in the U.S., you can go through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database or check the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Brand Database for international trademarks.
• Consider domain hacking. Domain hacking involves clever combinations of words or domain extensions to create a unique, brandable name. For example, you can use .me extension to form a catchy name like “shop.me” or the .store TLD for “dressup.store.“

Best domain extensions for eCommerce

Though .com remains the most popular and trusted extension, there are other viable options available based on your business, audience, and branding goals. Here’s a rundown of the best domain extensions for eCommerce: 

• .com
• .store
• .shop
• .boutique
• .fashion, .jewelry, and other niche-specific TLDs

.com

The .com TLD is by far the most popular domain extension, and for good reason. It’s universally recognized, easy to remember, and most trusted by users. If you can acquire a good .com domain, it’s often one of the best choices for an eCommerce business. Many associate .com with credibility and professionalism.

.store

The .store extension is an excellent option for eCommerce businesses because it immediately signals a store website. In a 2021 marketing study, it even outperformed .com in web traffic and visibility. A .store domain extension is the best choice if you want to make your eCommerce store’s domain name as straightforward as possible.

.shop

Similar to .store, .shop is a popular choice for eCommerce websites. It communicates your business’s core focus, which is selling products.

.boutique

For eCommerce stores focused on high-end products or unique offerings, the .boutique extension conveys this sense of exclusivity and sophistication. This is ideal for businesses aiming to position themselves as premium brands.

.fashion, .jewelry, and other niche-specific TLDs

If your business is in a particular niche, consider using a niche-specific extension to further communicate your brand’s focus. For example, .fashion is perfect for online clothing stores, while .jewelry works well for jewelry businesses.

What makes a great domain name

A great domain name supports the success of your eCommerce business, in addition to sounding good and being easy to remember. Here are the key elements that make a great domain name:

• Simple and clear. The easier your domain is to remember, the more likely visitors will return and share it with others.
• Concise. Short domains are quicker to type and are more likely to be shared by word of mouth, increasing your chances of organic traffic.
• Brandable. A brandable domain helps customers connect emotionally with your business, improving trust and brand loyalty.
• Easy to spell and pronounce. A name that’s easy to spell and pronounce reduces the chances of potential customers misremembering it or mistakenly entering the wrong one into search engines.
• Relevant. A relevant domain name helps improve your chances of ranking for related search terms.
• Unique and original. A unique domain protects your brand identity and prevents costly legal challenges from trademark conflicts.

How to protect your domain name

Protecting your domain name is an important step to safeguarding your online business. With the right precautions, you can ensure your domain and personal information remain secure. Here are some key steps to take to protect your domain name:

• Enable domain privacy protection. Registering a domain makes your registered contact information publicly accessible via the WHOIS database. This makes you vulnerable to spam and other fraudulent activities. Enabling domain privacy protection keeps your personal information hidden from public view, making it more difficult for hackers to target you.
• Monitor domain expiration dates. You could lose your domain if you fail to renew it before the expiration date. To avoid this, set up reminders to keep track of your domain’s expiration date and ensure you maintain ownership. Some registrars, like Network Solutions, offer domain expiration protection, allowing you to retain domain ownership for up to a year after the missed renewal payment.
• Lock your domain. A domain lock safeguards against unauthorized transfer requests. Many registrars, including Network Solutions, offer this feature, which makes it harder for someone to transfer your domain to another registrar without your consent.
• Keep your registrar account information updated. Ensure the contact information associated with your domain is always accurate and up to date. This includes your email address, phone number, and physical address. This way, if any issues arise or if your domain is at risk, you will receive notifications from your registrar.
• Trademark your domain name. If your domain name is your brand name, it might be worth trademarking. A trademark gives you legal protection over using your domain name, preventing others from using a name that’s too similar to yours. You can file with the USPTO or the relevant trademark office in your country.

How to secure ownership of your domain name

Acquiring the right domain name is the first step in establishing your online presence. Secure its ownership with the following steps:

1. Choose a reliable domain registrar. Select a reputable domain registrar with reliable customer support, transparent pricing, and secure domain management tools. Look for one that offers domain privacy protection, domain lock, and secure payment options. A trustworthy registrar ensures a smooth registration process and long-term security for your domain.
2. Search for your desired domain name. Use the registrar’s domain name search tool to check the availability of your desired domain name. Enter your preferred name, and the tool will let you know whether it’s available or already in use. You can use our AI Domain Name Generator to check for alternatives if your desired domain is unavailable.
3. Complete the registration process. Once you’ve selected your domain name, complete the registration process. The registrar requires you to provide your contact information, create an account, and pay for your domain. After payment, the domain is officially yours, and you can move forward with building your online presence.

Secure your domain for long-term success

With the right approach to selecting your domain name, you can create a strong foundation for your eCommerce business. The tips in this article will help you choose a domain that aligns with your business goals and resonates with your audience.

Once you’ve acquired your domain, protect and manage it properly. Network Solutions offers a range of tools to help you with that, including Domain Privacy + Protection, Domain Expiration Protection, a domain lock, and automatic renewal reminders.

Secure your domain and your business with Network Solutions. Explore our services and get started!

Frequently asked questions