What is the best domain for your Online Store?

Choosing the right domain for your online store is one of the most important steps when you decide to start your e-commerce business. First of all, the domain is the digital address of the business and influences the way your customers find and perceive it. Among the most popular options are .com and .pt. But which one is best for your business? Next, we will analyze the 7 biggest differences and try to help you in this decision process.

1. Difference by Country Code

.pt is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Portugal and the most used by companies and institutions that focus on the Portuguese market or that wish to strengthen their connection to the country. On the other hand, .com is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) and the most popular globally. It was originally created for commercial companies, but today it is used by any type of organization that wants international reach.

2. Registration Requirements

For many years, there were more restrictions on registering a .pt domain, requiring the domain name to match the name of the company or registered trademark. Nowadays, anyone can register a .pt domain, but certain subdomains like .com.pt may still have specific requirements. Generally, there are no specific requirements for registering a .com domain.

3. Name Availability and Choice

It’s harder to find available domain names with .com as it’s the most popular, which can limit your choices, especially for shorter, more generic names. On the other hand, .br, being more specific, can offer more name options for your store. Therefore, if the ideal name for your business is already in use on .com, .pt may be a good alternative.

4. Online Store Domain Costs

In terms of costs, we would like to point out that .pt is usually a little more expensive than a .com domain, especially if it is registered directly with DNS.pt, regulatory body in Portugal. .com is generally more affordable and available through a wide variety of registrars globally, which can result in competitive pricing.

5. Global Reach vs. Local Reach

If you want to reach international customers with your online store, the .com domain is the best choice. Being the most widely used worldwide, .com conveys a professional image with global reach. But, on the other hand, if the focus of your business is the Portuguese market, the .pt domain is the most suitable, as it signals that your platform is aimed at Portugal. In this sense, .pt offers a local identity, which can be an advantage in gaining the trust of Portuguese customers.

6. Trust and Credibility

Both the .com and .pt domains are considered trustworthy, but for customers in Portugal, .pt may convey an image of greater proximity. and credibility. Portuguese consumers tend to prefer websites with the .pt domain, as they identify them as local, safe and trustworthy. Mainly for those looking for specific services or products in the Portuguese market. Additionally, .pt is associated with businesses established in Portugal, which can help with sales conversion rates.

7. SEO and Search Engine Visibility

Finally, we highlight that the domain can influence the SEO of your online store since .com performs well in terms of global positioning, while .pt may have an advantage in searches made by users in Portugal. If your target audience is primarily in Portugal, the .pt domain can help improve your platform’s visibility in local searches. This is because Google prioritizes local domains for searches made within the country. On the other hand, if you want to sell to other countries, .com may be more advantageous as it is the preferred choice for those who want to optimize for a global audience as it is not associated with any specific country.

Conclusion

In short, if the focus of your online store is the Portuguese market, .pt offers benefits in terms of trust, proximity and local positioning in terms of search engines (SEO). However, if your goal is to reach a global audience, .com is the better choice. We recommend that you evaluate your desired reach, target audience, and name availability before making your decision.

If you need help: buzine!