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.net vs .com

by mw13
9 replies
  • ECOMMERCE
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Hi All,

Doing my legwork on an ecommerce site I want to launch. I have searched the forums but can't find any info on these topics so apologies if this is a retread. So the domain I want in the .com space is owned by a domain squatter (of course) and not entirely sure I want to drop $1700 on it. The domain is a strong domain with the keywords for exactly what the site is. I can grab the .net for nothing or throw something in front of the .com I wanted like great*******.com. What's everyone's thoughts on .com vs .net?

Thanks.
#net
  • Profile picture of the author justray
    I ran into the same dilemma a couple of years ago when creating my e-store. The .com was taken, and they were squatters refusing to sell. (I think they want to see how high they could get me to go.) So, instead, I used the primary domain name with the ".co" and I marketed it as such. When people look at my site, most read it as "company." I think, at the time, I paid $9.99 for the "co" the .com was going to cost me over $2k from those who owned it. It's all in the marketing of the name. Sure, .com is the granddaddy of them all, since it was one of the first. Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author mw13
      Thanks Justray. That's helpful....
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  • Profile picture of the author arjch
    .net is mainly for online network sites. .com is prime catch as its for corporation, but as you listed its going to cost you so better go for .net.

    Top TLD list
    .com, .net, .org
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  • Profile picture of the author yoangov
    .com anyday.

    If you don't feel like throwing $1.7k, then go for a different .com domain that will cost you $12/y
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  • Profile picture of the author shoppinglotus
    Hi
    Simply go for a different .com
    Its about branding it right and not actually in the name
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    • Profile picture of the author timeworks
      I have a different take on this as the owner of several online sites and a history of buying, selling, and flipping domains over many years.

      .Com will always be king and most people you ask for what extension would they initially search for, they always say .com.

      We started several online stores in the past where we did not own the .com and started with a .net or .co. I can say that as our store got popular, other people bought the .com and .orgs and started competing stores.

      Our policy is to only start an online store only if you can get the .com. It is also a good idea to get the .net and .org if you can for a cheap price. This is more defensive to stop squatters from grabbing those domain names and starting competing stores. This happens more than you think.

      As to the name for your store, like some in the thread said earlier it is about branding. We personally like using exact match domains that state exactly what the store is.

      For example, two of our stores - PLRArticles.com and PLRProducts.com are the exact keywords people generally type in to find the stores. Our stores are focused on plr products and private label rights articles.

      In your case, it will cost you $1,700 and it sounds like you can also get the .net cheap. It really depends on what you niche is and how people will find your products.

      Another way to find a good online store name is to find the top keywords that people search for in the niche and just add the word "Store" or "Shop" on to the end of the main keywords. This allows you to get the name you want but generally much cheaper since you added store or shop to the end.

      For example, if you were selling website templates. You would like websitetemplates.com but that domain will cost you tons of money. So you can try to get websitetemplatesstore.com or websitetemplatesshop.com.

      You still get the strong and clear domain recognition but sometimes for only $12 or more.

      Good luck and post more questions if needed.
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  • Profile picture of the author mw13
    Thanks all! Timeworks I like your thinking.
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  • Profile picture of the author jumbo1
    What about SEO-wise? Do search engines give preference to .com over all other tlds?
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  • Profile picture of the author amcg
    For ecommerce, the most important domain name for me is your country's TLD. Usually most of your customers will be in the country you are based in so the domestic TLD is a must. If you're looking to sell internationally, I'd naturally choose the .com over .net.

    That said, there's plenty of businesses that run with .net and are making it work. You have to remember however that the overwhelming majority of marketing dollars are behind .com.
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