For awhile, all sorts of internet influencers & gurus were saying that .store domains were the path to ecommerce profits & financial freedom. With a lot of introductory offers of only about a dollar for the first year, I decided to give it a try. However, I am sad to announce that the necrolicious.store website will be going down next month. But my meme merchandise will remain available on Printify Popup for everyone outside of Japan. The .store domain was a failed experiment & the renewal cost of nearly $60–far from the $1 introductory offer–is simply not justifiable, in my experience. In this article, we’ll explore my personal experiment with a .store domain, why it fell flat, & what alternatives might offer better value for aspiring online sellers. If you’re considering domain options for your e-commerce venture, read on to learn from my mistakes & optimise your strategy.
The Initial Appeal & My Dive into .store
Like many, I was swayed by the hype surrounding .store domains. Promoted heavily by influencers – likely earning commissions from referrals – these domains seemed like a budget-friendly entry point into e-commerce. With introductory offers as low as 99 cents from various domain registries, the barrier to entry was minimal. Intrigued, I decided to test the waters by registering building necrolicious.store, keeping it entirely separate from my established necrolicious.com site.
I invested significant effort into this project: days perfecting the design, integrating e-commerce platforms to handle sales seamlessly, & launching targeted marketing campaigns. Despite garnering over a million views on my ads via X (formerly Twitter), the results were starkly disappointing. In the year since launch, not a single sale materialised. As renewal approaches, the cost jumps from that enticing 99 cents to nearly $60 – a fee that’s hard to justify without any revenue.
This is not unusual. Registrars commonly offer first-year registrations for $0.98 to $5.88, but renewals typically range from $40 to $70 annually, reflecting wholesale registry fees around $40. In contrast, .com domains generally renew at $13 to $20 per year, resulting in a potential additional cost of $200 to $350 over five years for .store, excluding any price increases. This model functions as a loss-leader strategy, attracting users with low entry barriers but imposing higher ongoing costs. For high-revenue operations generating substantial sales, the incremental expense may be negligible. However, for smaller businesses or those with modest transaction volumes, it can erode profitability without commensurate benefits.
To illustrate:
| Domain Type | First-Year Cost | Renewal Cost | 5-Year Total (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| .store | $1–$6 | $40–$70 | $161–$346 |
| .com | $6–$15 | $13–$20 | $58–$95 |
Why .store Domains May Erode Customer Trust
Determined to understand this failure, I conducted further research into consumer perceptions of alternative domains. It turns out that .store extensions often inspire less trust, much like cryptocurrencies do compared to traditional fiat currencies. To those in the know, alternatives to the mainstream can offer numerous advantages, such as niche branding or lower initial costs. However, norms — in this case .com domains — persist because they’re readily understood & reliable.
In my view, a .store domain can confuse potential customers to the point of outright distrust. This hesitation translates into reluctance when it comes to entering credit card details or completing a purchase. Shoppers appear far more comfortable with familiar .com domains, which signal legitimacy & security. If trust is the cornerstone of e-commerce, opting for a less conventional extension might be sabotaging your sales before they even begin as seemed to be the case with me.
Cutting Losses: When to Abandon a Failing Experiment
Faced with zero sales & an impending renewal fee, I’ve chosen to cut my losses rather than persist with this .store experiment. It’s a tough pill to swallow after the time & resources invested, but continuing would only compound the disappointment. Had the site generated even a few hundred dollars in revenue, the $60 renewal would feel justifiable but, as it stands, there’s little appeal in pouring more into a venture that’s yielded nothing.
This experience underscores a key lesson: introductory deals are tempting, but long-term viability hinges on customer engagement & trust. If your domain choice alienates your audience, no amount of marketing can bridge that gap.
Exploring Smarter (& FREE) Alternatives to .store Domains for E-commerce
So, what’s next? I’m pivoting towards more streamlined, third-party solutions that minimise upfront risks since they are FREE. The Printify Pop-Up store stands out as a promising option, requiring no domain fees while offering a straightforward way to sell custom merchandise. Though it provides fat fewer site customisation options, it’s ideal for testing ideas without being financially cost prohibitive.
For my fans in Japan, Suzuri presents similar appeal with its localised focus.
Both platforms operate on a commission-based model, meaning I don’t need to purchase inventory upfront – a stark contrast to managing my own .store site. Additionally, they handle customer support, freeing me from those operational headaches.
While much remains undecided, I may eventually integrate a storefront directly into necrolicious.com. In the interim, these third-party services will serve as reliable bridges, allowing me to focus on creation rather than logistics.
The Enduring Value of Owning Your Online Space
Though my .store domain proved a waste of time & I’d advise others to steer clear, building & maintaining your own website remains invaluable. In an era dominated by third-party social media platforms, relying solely on them leaves you vulnerable to algorithm changes or account issues. Branching out into site building has never been easier, empowering you to control your narrative & audience.
If you’re inspired to create your own website, start with reliable hosting. I recommend taking advantage of my affiliate link for Hostinger to get started swiftly & affordably. It’s a step towards independence that can pay dividends in the long run.
In summary, while innovative domains like .store may seem appealing, they often fall short in building the trust essential for e-commerce success. By learning from experiments like mine, you can make informed choices that align with your goals & audience preferences. What do you think about .store domains? Have you ever made one or bought something from one? How did it go?
Unless otherwise noted, image assets above are NOT original content & are shared under fair use doctrine with NO claims to authorship or ownership.
Contact necrolicious@necrolicious.com for credit or removal.
This post was sponsored by…ME! If you’d like to support, please buy my original meme merchandise or check out my affiliate links to get yourself some other cool things. Additional affiliate links may be contained in the above article. If you click on an affiliate link & sign up/make a purchase, I may earn a commission. This does not increase the price you pay for the product or service, so it helps support this website at no cost to you.