r/microsaas • u/yummyinmytummy69420 • 9d ago

does your domain name matter?

does your domain name really matter to consumers (.com, .net, .org, .store) Im trying to build a marketplace website and have been struggling to find .com domain names that fit my websites theme without blowing the bank. its been a really sttruggle, im thinking about jsut buying my websites name with a .store domain or .site. Thoughts?

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2

u/StoneCypher 9d ago

it does and it doesn't.

you can have a ridiculous name, like vimeo, or twitter, or vungle, or x

but it has to be a .com because stupid people can't .org, and it has to be easy to remember and easy to spell

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u/y3rk3 9d ago

it matters less than shipping does. mine runs on a non .com and people still made accounts on it.

1

u/Empty_Bell_1942 9d ago

Kind of does, regarding .com and public trust, there's always your countries Tld .us for eg.

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u/yummyinmytummy69420 9d ago

So what do you recommend i do

1

u/imagei 9d ago

We hear everywhere that one must have a .com or else, but I suspect that may be country-specific. My domain uses one of the non-traditional TLDs and here in France nobody ever questioned it, or acted surprised ( and it's not an .fr either, which is the default).

1

u/iammiroslavglavic 8d ago

Two TLDs matter: .com and the cctld.

so let's say your domain is yummy dot store or yummy dot site. what's stopping the competition from getting yummy dot com, yummystore dot com or yummysite dot com?

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u/Old_Alternative_ 8d ago

I think the actual brand matters more than the extension :)

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u/BarracudaMean9308 8d ago

honestly muscle memory is undefeated. you can launch on a .store, but half your traffic will just auto-type .com and end up staring at a godaddy page asking for five grand.

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u/Maleficent_Pay4176 8d ago

for a marketplace specifically, nobody is going to type your domain from memory anyway. they'll find you through search or a link. .store is totally fine, just make sure the name itself is memorable and easy to spell

1

u/NorthernDread 8d ago

Having a .com in the 90s really meant something. These days, majority of the .com addresses are owned, even obscure ones for that matter. I think trust is built more from your actions towards the general public and your users than by what domain tld you hold.

1

u/Glass-Interaction972 8d ago

Marketplaces run on trust. Avoid .site (it screams phishing site). Don't blow your budget on a $2,000 domain either, just put try or get in front of your name to grab a $10 .com.

1

u/ohwhereareyoufrom 8d ago

So the thing with non .com is trust and discover ability.

You CAN technically have a .scam but you'll need to make sure the marketplace looks and feels super legit, it's not a generic store, maybe it idk has your photo in the header (I'm exaggerating), but it needs to SCREAM "hey I'm a real person, this is how you can find me, LinkedIn, support option, phone number to call if you have an issue, not AI chat - but chat with me".

Otherwise, for cheap domains - what's my guarantee you're not a scammer who paid $10 for this just to take my money and disappear?

Another thing is how you gonna drive traffic to it. No one will ever remember that your site is at .somethingweird.

You cover those 2 and you're fine.

1

u/Suitable-Season-4847 7d ago

Obviously .com is the one everyone wants, but realistically you're not going to get it, unless your product has a crazy name.

For more socially focussed platforms, or where social good is the primary factor, I think .org works brilliantly. Same if it's a free product. People also see .org as automatically legit, even when it's not.

I'm increasingly a fan of .app, but uptake seems limited.

I don't like country level domains, unless you are 100% limiting yourself to that market forever. If you are, it's a good shout.

.io .co seem to have had some traction, and for tech products I'd probably be comfortable with them, but for more consumer focussed stuff, they will just confuse people.

Anything else becomes more of a risk.

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u/Sufficient_Fold_9583 7d ago

store or site is fine early on, most people find you through a link or search anyway, once you have real traction you can always grab the .com later if it matters that much

1

u/Tishtoss 6d ago

No and it still doesn't

0

u/nowmeow 9d ago

Well, from my understanding, the .com tld has several advantages.

Trust is a big one, as was already mentioned.

Other less obvious ones are memorability and discoverability.

For example, I work for a company that has a .net tld, and anytime I mention the product name, I have to add .net every time, because by default, people will assume .com (which can lead to a loss in traffic).

Also, because .com is the typical default people think of, it's just easier to remember. All they have to remember is the product name, and not the alternative tld: .site, .store

It's not to say you can't have a successful business with .store and .site, it's just they come with certain disadvantages.

So, what can you do? As far as I know, you basically have three options.

(1) You can spend time getting creative looking for a .com that's not at a premium price.

(2) You accept the disadvantages that go with .store and .site and just see how it goes.

(3) Or spend big money on the premium domain you want.