Does an online store need to have its own domain?

Your own domain is the foundation and digital identity of your online store. It acts as your online store's address, distinguishing it from all other online stores. When an entrepreneur has their own domain, it communicates professionalism and commitment to the business.

Your domain name is the first thing customers see before they even visit your online store. If you use a lower-level domain (like minunkauppa.marketplacen.fi), customers may doubt whether your business is trustworthy or taken seriously. Your own domain (like minunkauppa.fi) immediately gives the impression of an independent, established company.

An online store's own domain also builds customer trust. Studies show that consumers trust online stores more with clear and professional domain names. This trust is especially important in an online store where the customer cannot physically see the products or the company.

What are the benefits of using your own domain for an online store?

Using your own domain brings several significant benefits to your online store. First, it strengthens your brand and makes it easier to remember. Your own domain is like a digital business card that will stay in your customers' minds and help them find your online store again.

Your search engine visibility will improve significantly with your own domain. Search engines like Google value clear and brand-appropriate domain names, which can increase your online store's ranking in search results. This is especially important when you want to stand out from your competitors and reach more potential customers.

Marketing becomes easier when your online store has its own domain. A domain name is easy to add to marketing materials, share on social media, and use in advertising. Think about how much clearer it is to advertise "visit mootikauppa.fi" than "find us at marketplacen.fi/kaupat/muotikauppa".

Your own domain also gives you full control over the look and functionality of your online store. You can build the shopping experience exactly how you want it without the limitations of a third-party platform. This flexibility is especially important as your online store grows and needs new features.

How do you choose the right domain for your online store?

Choosing the right domain is a strategic decision that will affect the success of your online store. A good domain is short, concise, and easy to remember . The ideal domain reflects your brand or products and is easy to spell correctly.

The choice of domain extension is also important. For a Finnish online store, the .fi extension is often the best option, as it immediately tells customers that the company is Finnish. If you are targeting international markets, you should also consider the .com extension. You can register multiple extensions and point them all to the same online store if you want.

Avoid these common mistakes when choosing a domain name:

• Overly long or complicated names
• Using special characters or numbers
• Names that are difficult to pronounce or spell
• Names that resemble another brand's trademark

Domain name registration and management on the Shopify platform is made easy. You can both check the availability of a domain name and register it directly through Shopify. Shopify also handles domain name renewal for you, so you don't have to worry about it expiring.

What should every e-commerce entrepreneur know about domain names?

A domain name is a critical part of your overall e-commerce strategy , not just a technical detail. It affects your brand image, search engine visibility, and marketing effectiveness. That's why every e-commerce entrepreneur should invest in choosing a good domain name.

Remember that a domain name is a long-term investment. While changing your domain name is technically possible, it can cause problems with search engine visibility and confuse customers. That's why it's important to choose a domain from the start that will work well in the future.

It's a good idea to renew your domain name automatically. Domain name registrations are valid for a set period of time (usually 1-5 years), after which they must be renewed. If you forget to renew your domain name, someone else can register it for themselves, and you'll lose your entire web address. Most providers, like Shopify, offer automatic renewal, which is definitely worth using.

Finally, a domain name is only one part of the success of an online store. While your own domain is important, remember to also invest in the user experience of your online store, product quality, and customer service. Together, these factors build a successful online store that attracts and engages customers in the long term.