Finding a virtual store domain can be more challenging than it seems. In addition to the task of selecting a unique name, you may be questioning whether a paid domain is necessary, how the registration process functions, and whether opting for a “.com.br” domain is the best choice or if there are other options available.
Before seeking answers, consider this reflection: If you were searching for a new pair of walking shoes on Google, would you enter “shoe store” or “walk tennis”?
Is there any other method to choose the appropriate domain for your online store, aside from understanding how customers search for products or services on the internet?
I will provide advice on selecting a domain for an online store and clarify the registration process in this article. Keep reading!
What is the optimal domain for an online store?
When selecting a domain for your online store, there are two key factors to keep in mind. The first is the domain name, which should reflect your brand, product, or service. The second factor is the extension, indicating the domain’s category (e.g., “.com” for commercial websites).
These key factors, along with additional ones discussed in the article, are crucial for finding the optimal domain for your online shop. My objective is to offer the necessary information to help you make the most appropriate choice, as the answer varies based on individual business requirements and attributes.
We will start by talking about selecting the domain name, which is the most crucial aspect of your online store’s address. Here are some guidelines to help you find the perfect name:
Prioritize your brand name, product, or service.
To discover the ideal domain for an online store, consider using the name of your brand, product, or service, as is commonly done with other e-commerce businesses.
If your brand is already recognized locally, the internet can enhance your reputation and reach by blurring the lines between physical and online channels for consumers who seek accessibility to your brand.
Just as a customer is accustomed to visiting a physical Magazine Luiza store, they may naturally want to also find the store online to make purchases or check product prices, shipping costs, and delivery times.
If your store specializes in a particular product or service, known as a niche, it might be beneficial to select a domain name that is linked to your specific market. For instance, an e-commerce website selling used products could choose a domain like “mechaniclodge.com.br” to advertise automotive mechanic products.
Choose a straightforward and memorable name.
The domain functions as a bridge leading customers directly to your online store, making it easier for them to find the product they are looking for and navigate through your website.
To select a domain for an online store, it is helpful to know how people search for products online. Tools like Google Trends can provide insights into popular search terms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that being well ranked on Google does not solely depend on using a specific keyword in your domain. The algorithm takes into account various factors like the quality of site content, loading speed, and user experience.
It is important to take into account additional factors when selecting a domain for an online store. Review the checklist below outlining certain guidelines and best practices.
- Choose brief names that are easy to recall. Typically, a domain name should range between 2 and 26 characters, with international extensions generally permitting between 3 and 64 characters.
- Avoid including numbers unless they are associated with your brand, as they may make the address difficult to read and confuse users.
- Avoid using sharp and hyphen characters to prevent potential issues with email and hosting configuration.
- Employ relevant keywords without overdoing it.
- Conduct a brief search with the competitors.
- Select a category that aligns with your online retail store’s domain (.com.br, .store, etc.).
The final aspect, concerning category, leads us to the second consideration when setting up an address for your online store: the domain extension.
Virtual Store Domain Extensions
There are numerous domain extensions available for online stores, each indicating the category to which the domain belongs.
What are the best domain extension choices for e-commerce?
The .com and .com.br extensions are the most recommended due to their popularity and compatibility. Refer to this article for a detailed comparison of the two.
.com.br is recommended for businesses targeting only the Brazilian market, as the .br extension signals that the website is focused on the country. On the other hand, .com is a universal extension suitable for businesses aiming for global reach. Additionally, domain privacy is not offered for .br domains.
It is advisable to register several domains for the same store to safeguard your third-party domain and enhance its accessibility, particularly for users who directly type the store’s address in their browser. To consolidate everything in one location, you can simply redirect the additional domain to the primary address, like “yourstore.com,” for instance.
It is beneficial to consider other options besides these extensions, such as .store and .shop, specifically designed for e-commerce websites.
These two extensions have the benefit of being easily linked to the goal of purchasing goods or services online, like in the example of the Emirate Miles Shop. However, a drawback is their higher cost due to being international extensions influenced by fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, which are not as common in Brazil.
Other innovative expansions for online shops
New domain extensions are available to match specific business categories, such as .yoga for a Yoga product store and .games for a games e-commerce. Other options include .pet, .art, .audio, .auto, .lgbt, .eco, .rio, .surf, .moda, .online, .fashion, .tattoo, .cafe, .bar, and .vip.
Here are some domain extension choices for online stores. There are numerous possibilities to consider! It’s recommended to explore the options available on domain registration websites or check the categories provided by the Registry.br for more ideas.
Blog for e-commerce: Is it beneficial to have one?
Purchasing a domain for an online shop
To own a domain, you need to manage it through a company. The best location for this depends on factors such as the selected domain extension, as not all extensions provide the same range of options.
There are four potential methods to purchase a domain for an online shop.
- Use the Registry site.br to handle domains that end in .br, as it is the organization in Brazil responsible for managing them.
- Use a global domain registration service such as GoDaddy.
- Select a web hosting provider that offers both national and international domain registration services, along with additional features.
- Register the domain with the company where you have the virtual store if they provide this service.
In the first two choices, the service is limited to the domain, but in other options, additional services are available. This is a benefit of registering a domain with a web hosting company, as they typically provide tools for creating online stores, such as website builders or free installation of WordPress. Managing everything in one place is more convenient, including e-commerce platforms that include domain registration.
chsyys/StockVault
I suggest reading an article that explains the detailed differences between registering a domain directly with the Registry or using a web hosting company’s website.
How expensive is a domain?
The cost of a domain for an online store or any website can vary significantly depending on the extension chosen. Some domains may be as low as R $ 5, while others could be as high as R $ 500. Additionally, domain registration typically lasts for one year and needs to be renewed annually to stay active.
Here is a brief comparison of national and international domain prices using the domain registration companies’ rankings.
| Extension | Registration. Br. | GoDaddy | HostGator | Hostinger | Google Domains |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| . with.br | $40 Renewal: $ 40/year |
$1,99 Renewal: R$ 64,99/year |
$ 26,99 Renewal: $ 59,99/year |
$ 36,99 Renewal: R$ 42,99/year |
No commercial . Br. |
| .com | No commercial |
$ 23,99 Renewal: R$ 64,99/year |
$ 26,99 Renewal: $ 59,99/year |
$40 Renewal: R$ 43/year |
R$50 Renewal: R$ 50/year |
| .store | No commercial |
$ 15,97 Renewal: R$ 427,30/year |
$ 31,99 Renewal: $ 329,99/year |
R$ 5 Renewal: R$ 304/year |
R$ 180 Renewal: R$ 180/year |
| . shop | No commercial |
$ 10,63 Renewal: R$ 240,33/year |
No offers the .shop |
R$ 13 Renewal: R$ 119/year |
No offers the .shop |
| Visit website | Visit website | Visit website | Visit website | Visit website |
An advantage of renting a domain through Registry.br or Google Domains is the ability to pay the same amount for both the initial purchase and the renewal.
In the Registry.br, you can only register national domains like .com.br, while Google Domains permits registration of international domains such as .com and .store.
When registering a domain through a hosting company, you can also get a hosting plan and tools for creating a virtual store. Additionally, you have the option to direct the domain to an external platform or transfer it to another company later on.
Most providers give you a free domain for a year if you sign up for a longer hosting subscription, like an annual plan. Some companies even offer domain registration for multiple years.
In a hosting company, you will pay two separate prices: a promotional rate for the initial term and a higher renewal rate thereafter. It’s essential to be aware of this difference to avoid unexpected costs.
How does the process of buying and registering work?
It is important to secure a domain for your virtual store quickly due to high competition in the online market.
Below is a basic overview of how the domain registration process functions. Additional information can be found in the article titled: A Step-by-Step Guide to Registering a Domain.
- Ensure that the domain for your online store is accessible.
- Register at the company for registration.
- Submit payment for registration
- Wait for authorization
- Set up your store or direct the domain to the platform you are using.
While you wait for the domain registration approval, remember to monitor your email, including the Spam folder, as some registrars may email instructions for verifying your information and confirming the domain approval.
In certain situations, like with Registry.br, you can receive email notifications to monitor the progress of a process. Alternatively, you can track the advancement of direct registration in your hosting provider’s customer dashboard.
How long does the registration last?
Domain registration typically lasts for one year, although some companies provide the choice to register for a maximum of ten years. Check out the comparison below:
| Registration. Br. | GoDaddy | HostGator | Hostinger | Google Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration duration | 1 year up to 10 years (discount) progressive) |
1 year 2 years 3 years 5 years 10 years |
1 year | 1 year (2 and 3 years available to .com.br and .com) |
1 year |
| Visit website | Visit website | Visit website | Visit website | Visit website |
Registering your online store domain for an extended period helps prevent losing it due to reasons like expired credit cards or missed invoice payments during renewal. Some companies offer extra protection, such as GoDaddy, to safeguard against these situations.
In conclusion
Determining the ideal domain for an online store requires two key steps: selecting the name and choosing the domain extension, as outlined in the article.
The domain name should be brief and uncomplicated, ideally reflecting your brand, product, or service. The extension can range from commonly used ones like .com and .com.br to newer options like .shop and .store, with registration costs and providers varying based on the chosen extension.
When selecting your e-commerce virtual address, it is important to consider the specific uses and advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Explore our list of the top websites for registering domains to find a unique name for your online store and begin selling today after selecting a domain for your virtual store.
Publication date: September 14, 2020 (revised on December 5, 2023)
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