Why A .STORE Is The Perfect Domain Name For Selling Online

A .STORE – the perfect domain name for selling online, the gTLD extension for any startup or side hustle ready to start their online selling business. Whatever you are baking, making or creating on the side, level up with an online store because ecommerce is set for tremendous growth in the coming years.

Currently, 56% of South African internet users are shopping online every week (Source).

And according to Statista’s Digital Marketing Outlook, the local pool of 11.7 million online shoppers will nearly double by 2029, reaching 21.52 million (Source).

A relevant, on-brand domain name extension can help you make your online store more visible and memorable.

In this article, we share how a . STORE can give you the edge online and help identify you online, if your hobby or side hustle is ready to start selling.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A .store domain immediately communicates that your website is a place to shop.
• Rather than settling for an awkward or unavailable .com, a .store gives you a relevant, creative, and memorable domain name that matches your business.
• A .store boosts visibility and SEO by helpingsearch engines understand your content better, improving your chances of being found online.
• With over 1.6 million registrations and used by trusted global brands, the .store extension signals professionalism and legitimacy to your customers.
• A .store can become the branded online selling home of your business.
• Registering a .store is easy and affordable via Domains.co.za currently on promotion for R80.00.

About the .STORE Domain Name Extension

A .STORE is a generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) extension launched in 2016 and managed by Radix Registry. According to Radix, 1.6 million .store domain names have been registered to date with 140 000 active . store websites (Source). Naturally, this domain extension is ideal for online stores and ecommerce startups but it is also suitable for:

• Local businesses or influencers with a store element.
• Retail brands that are expanding online.
• Multi-vendor platforms.

While the . store domain extension is open to anyone in the world and for any industry, it is particularly appealing to online stores for fashion products and accessories, beauty and cosmetics, food, packaging, sport and fitness, home decor, artists and creatives. For this reason, it is a highly sought-after domain extension for creative side hustles and hobbyists with items to sell.

7 Benefits of Registering a .STORE gTLD

Since ICANN launched the New gTLD Program in 2012, which saw the launch of over 1 200 new gTLDs, the role of the humble domain name has changed dramatically (Source).

New startups don’t have to settle for long, clumsy-sounding domain names just because there’s no availability but can locate shorter domain options on other gTLDs. New extensions like .tech, .online and .store also allow startups to register highly relevant and on-brand domains that immediately tell search engines and consumers in which industry the business operates, making it more memorable and unique.

Why a .STORE domain name is a great choice for your online store:

1. Save time and marketing budget

A .STORE domain name immediately tells people what your business does. No extra explanation needed. No ambiguity. That means you don’t have to over-invest in educating your audience or clarifying your offer in ads or social media bios. Your domain becomes your elevator pitch. When your web address is clear and concise, it also means you’re not wasting budget trying to explain what you sell.

2. Attract online shoppers

Consumers are constantly scanning and scrolling. A domain like “yourbrand.store” grabs attention faster than a generic one. It speaks directly to your target audience: people ready to browse and buy. Because the domain instantly signals that your website is an online shop, users are more likely to click through and convert.

3. Break away from the “same old” and stand out

When everyone else is on a .com or a .co.za, a .STORE gives you a chance to stand out with a fresh, modern, and creative web address. If your brand is bold or niche, a .store lets you own that uniqueness and differentiate yourself from competitors. Plus, you’re more likely to get the exact domain name you want, instead of a long, hyphenated compromise.

4. Boost online visibility

Search engines love clarity. A domain name like “coffeebeans.store or fitnessgear.store” clearly tells Google what your site is about, improving your chances of ranking in relevant searches. When your domain reflects your product offering, your SEO gets a head start, especially when paired with strong product listings and optimised content.

5. Enhance your chances in a voice search

As voice searches become more popular, short and descriptive domain names are easier for AI assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to pick up and recommend. A .store domain can help your website show in voice search results, because it naturally aligns with search intent. Especially when users are looking to “buy” something specific.

6. Build trust

The .store extension is gaining traction and trust. Currently, there are more than 1.6 million registrations with credible brands like Emirates and Christiano Renaldo choosing this extension. Seeing a “brandname.store” tells potential customers that you’re a dedicated ecommerce business.

7. Futureproof your brand

Whether you’re just starting out or up-scaling your side hustle, a .store domain sets you up for long-term growth. It’s flexible enough to accommodate new product lines, markets, or platforms. Even if you’re selling at markets or on social media now, owning a .store domain gives you your very own  branded space online. As ecommerce evolves, it is important to have a clear, dedicated selling domain because it will give you an edge.

5 Examples of Companies Using .STORE & Why it Works

The following businesses have registered a .store and are using it very successfully:

1. Emirates.store

As a globally recognised airline, Emirates uses the .store extension to clearly separate its retail offerings from its main website. While emirates.com focuses on bookings and travel services, emirates.store is dedicated to selling branded merchandise such as model aircrafts, travel accessories, and apparel. The domain immediately signals to customers that they are in the airline’s official shopping environment, reinforcing trust and boosting conversions.

2. Dudeperfect. store

Dude Perfect is a sports and entertainment brand known for trick shots and stunts, with a massive fan following. By choosing dudeperfect.store, they create a dedicated space for fans to buy branded gear, clothing, and merchandise. The extension enhances brand identity and makes it crystal clear that this is the official store, which helps prevent confusion or counterfeits.

3. Peanuts. store

For a legacy brand like Peanuts, the home of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, a .store domain makes it easy for nostalgic fans and new generations to find official merchandise. It simplifies search and recall, telling visitors exactly what to expect. Peanuts.store is short, memorable, and reinforces that this is the one-stop-shop for authentic Peanuts-themed products.

4. Magazine. store

This domain cleverly redirects to magazines.com, which sells magazine subscriptions. Owning magazine.store adds an extra layer of credibility, SEO value, and keyword relevance. Even as a redirect, the domain helps the brand appear more authoritative in search results and advertising, especially for users looking to “buy magazines online.”

5. CR7Fragrances. store

Cristiano Ronaldo’s fragrance brand uses cr7fragrances.store to clearly communicate that this is the official online shop for his fragrance line. The domain helps separate the retail arm from his other ventures while keeping everything under a unified brand experience.

10 Signs Your Hobby or Side Hustle is Ready to be an Online Store

A hobby can quickly turn in to a side hustle and grow into something bigger from there. It all depends on your product and the demand for that product. Maybe you’ve been using social media and word of mouth marketing to sell until now. Or maybe you’ve been selling at markets or in someone else’s shop. Either way, with online shopping in South Africa becoming all the more popular, now could be an excellent time to take your products online with a .store domain name.

RELATED: From side hustle to successful business in 10 steps

Here are the top signs you are ready to take the plunge:

1. You can’t keep up with demand

Stock sells out faster than you can make or restock it. It’s a good sign your product is a hit, and that your own online store is the next logical step.

2. You are earning well and income is growing every month

You’ve gone from pocket money to profit. Consistent income is proof that there’s a market for what you’re selling.

3. You adore what you do

You look forward to every order, every customer comment, and every new creation. Passion is a powerful foundation for business success.

4. You have a growing social media following

People are liking, sharing, tagging friends, and asking for prices in your DMs. That’s an audience waiting to convert into loyal customers.

 5. Your customers rave about you and your products

Glowing reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and repeat shoutouts tell you that your product is worth talking about, and worth buying again.

6. Your customers come back for more

Repeat business is the biggest vote of confidence. If customers are coming back, it’s time to make it even easier for them to shop with you.

7. You get new customers regularly

Whether it’s through markets, referrals, or socials, your reach is expanding. An online store can help you make the most of that momentum.

8. It’s not just a hobby anymore, it’s a daily habit

You spend a lot of time on it without anyone needing to tell you to because you enjoy it. If it’s already part of your daily routine, it’s ready to become a real revenue stream.

9. You’ve picked up good business lessons so far

From pricing and packaging to dealing with customers, you’re learning fast. That experience gives you a head start online.

10. You don’t wait for direction, you take lead

You’ve got drive, ideas, and a can-do attitude. That entrepreneurial spirit is exactly what it takes to build a successful online store.

RELATED: How To Create A Website To Sell Products Online

How to Register a .STORE with Domains.co.za

Ready to launch with a .STORE domain?

Here’s a quick and easy guide to help you register your new domain name and start selling online.

STEP 1: Search for your ideal .store domain

Use our AI Domain Name Generator or type directly into the search bar to explore available .store options. Once you find the perfect name for your online shop, click “Add to Cart” to reserve it.

Tip: Secure your brand by registering multiple TLDs (like .com, .store, etc.). You can park them or redirect them to your main website to protect your online identity.

STEP 2: Customise your order

Click the blue “Configure” button to confirm your domain.
You can also:

• Add WHOIS Privacy Protection
• Choose Web Hosting if you want to launch your store right away

Once ready, click “Proceed to Cart”, review your selections, and click “Check Out.”

STEP 3: Sign in or create your account

Already a customer? Simply login.
New here? Then complete the quick sign-up form to create your account.

STEP 4: Make payment

Complete your purchase using our secure payment gateway.

That’s it! Your .store domain is registered and ready for action.

Find your perfect .store domain name today!

RELATED: 3 Proactive Strategies to Maximise Your New eCommerce Website

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• How To Attract Repeat Customers To Your eCommerce Store
• 7 eCommerce Trends To Keep In Mind During The Year Ahead
• The .Online Domain Name: Why Choose It For Your Startup?
• Tips to Getting Started with a Side Hustle

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