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What Should I Name My Online Store?
Last modified: October 19, 2023
One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business is what to name your venture. After all, the brand name is how you’re going to be known for the rest of the business life. It’s the name customers will think of when they want your services or products and it’s how they’re going to refer to you with their peers that can act as a marketing option.
Why You Need To Carefully Think About ‘What Should I Name My Online Store?’
There are many reasons why you should carefully consider your brand name. Firstly, the right brand name can be instantly recognizable and act as a marketing tool. Think of companies like Pepsi, Starbucks, and The Dollar Shave Club.
There are many thoughts on how you can develop your brand name. So, if you’re asking “What should I name my online store?”, then follow these strategies and give your brand a cool name.
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1. Think about what your brand does
The first thing you should do is think about what your brand does or represents. For instance, most professional services (marketing, accounting, legal firms) have their area of specialty within their name.
The same with some eCommerce stores. For instance, TeeSpring is a site that sells custom t-shirts and other clothes. The name is simple and the Tee inside the name represents the main product. Another core example is Coca-Cola, their name includes cola which is the type of drink that they’re associated with the most.
An example from the UK would be The Book People. This is an eCommerce site that specializes in selling books, not surprisingly. Sometimes the simplest approach is the best.
A final example would be the Dollar Shave Club, that send shavers to subscribers for as little as a dollar. A simple name that describes exactly what they’re about.
So, think about what your business is associated with and then add a little variance to it. This could be something that differentiates you from competitors or something related to you as a person.
2. Be Different
Don’t be like everyone else. You need to distinguish yourself by having something that is unique, but meaningful. For instance, Amazon was completely different. The company started as a book selling website. They wanted a name that wasn’t going to get lost in a sea of similarly named businesses.
Amazon was the perfect name for two reasons:
- The Amazon is a powerful river that has one of the largest collections of life around it. The founders wanted the company to sell all items eventually.
- Amazon.com would appear on the first page of the website directory, because there were a limited number of websites at the time.
It also contained the letters A and Z which could be incorporated into a logo to show that the site contained everything you could possibly buy (i.e. stocks everything from A to Z).
3. Choose A Name That Can’t Be Misread/Spelled/Heard
Sticking with Amazon, the original name for the site was going to be Cadabra, as in Abracababra. However, when the founders mentioned the name to the lawyers, they misheard it as Cadaver. Immediately they knew that the website name had to change.
Be sure that your name can’t be mistaken for something that is completely different. A perfect name for your brand might still be associated with some illicit or unwanted associations.
You might also want to check against typos. Google was a typo. However, that name stuck. But you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a bad typo. Remember that a typo might also mean that loyal customers don’t go to your website but to a rivals, or a malicious site. This might make customers think that you’ve gone out of business.
4. Check Potential Names Online
When you’ve got a few names written down, always ensure that they’re not taken by popular sites. Having a name similar (or the same) as another can be disastrous for your online branding. Customers can mix the two of you up and then you can get complaints that aren’t yours to deal with.
A classic example of this is two companies who operate in Cambridge, England. One of them is Marshall and the other Marshalls. The former is predominately a car sales network. The latter is a building merchants. Yet both of them operate in the same city. Often the two would get calls that are related to the other business when there is no connection between them.
While this is a local problem, the same can happen online. This can also occur if two businesses share a name but one has a .com address and the other has another domain extension.
Always do extensive research and ensure that there are no other businesses with similar names.
5. Get Creative With Your Domain Extensions
One of the biggest hurdles that new business owners have is getting past the .com problem. Many business owners won’t use a business name if they can’t have the .com option. However, the number of available .com options is dwindling fast.
This is a problem that Tattly found. So instead they opted to go for the tatt.ly domain name. As they grew they were able to buy the .com extension. Be creative and don’t get too stuck on one name if it doesn’t work out. You can use domain extensions as a way to become more unique and memorable in the long run.
6. Use A Name Generator
Sometimes you can use a store name generator (full disclosure – the previous link is from our sister site) in order to find the perfect name for your business. This one is a great option. All you have to do is to add one word into the entry box that you want associated with your brand and then generate names.
From that list you can choose the one that inspires you the most. You can event click on the name to start your Shopify store within minutes. A great option for people who want to get on with their new business and are just stuck on the name.
7. Be Inspired By Customers
Don’t forget your customers. If you’ve been unofficially trading for awhile, then your customers might have some great names they already use to reference you. This might be fun to ask them what they think your name should be. You might get something sensible, but at the same time you might get something that is unique, fun and engaging.
Plus, if your customers have given you a name, it is going to be more memorable to those already using your products/services.
Finding the Perfect Name for Your Online Store
Key Strategies for Name Selection
A concise and memorable name aids in brand recognition and niche establishment. To stand out, avoid common terms used by competitors and consider the online presence and domain availability.
Creativity is essential, and exploring themes, trends, or words from other languages can yield unique and captivating names.
Finalizing Your Store’s Name
After brainstorming and shortlisting names, testing them with focus groups or surveys can provide insights into public reception. Balancing creativity, relevance, and memorability while ensuring legal and online availability is the key to landing the perfect name for your online store.
Things to Consider When Naming Your Online Store
Reflecting the Brand Identity
The name of an online store should be a mirror reflecting the essence of the brand. It should encapsulate the core values, ethos, and unique selling propositions that set the store apart from competitors.
A well-chosen name can communicate the nature of the products, the target audience, or the experience customers can expect, making it a powerful tool for establishing brand identity.
Memorability and Simplicity
A name that sticks in the mind is a valuable asset. It should be easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. Complexity can lead to forgetfulness or errors in spelling when potential customers search for the store online.
Short, catchy, and straightforward names can enhance brand recall, facilitating word-of-mouth referrals and repeat visits.
Legal Considerations
Ensuring that the chosen name does not infringe on existing trademarks or business names is essential to avoid legal complications. A thorough search of trademark databases and a general online search can help identify potential conflicts.
It’s also advisable to consider the implications of naming regulations in the regions where the store operates.
Flexibility for Future Growth
While a name might be fitting for the current scope and scale of the store, considering future expansion and diversification is wise. A name that is too niche or specific can become limiting if the store expands its product range or ventures into new markets.
Flexibility in the name can accommodate growth and evolution, ensuring its relevance over time.
How Naming Your Online Store Effectively Can Lead To Success
Creating a First Impression
The name of an online store is often the first element that potential customers interact with. A well-crafted name can create a positive first impression, instilling a sense of professionalism and credibility.
It can also communicate the store’s niche or specialty, attracting the target audience and setting the stage for a positive shopping experience.
Enhancing Brand Recall
A memorable name becomes ingrained in the minds of customers, leading to increased brand recall. This can result in higher return customer rates and word-of-mouth referrals.
A name that resonates with the audience can become a powerful marketing tool, amplifying the reach and visibility of the store without additional advertising costs.
Building a Brand Identity
The name is a foundational element of the store’s brand identity. It can convey the brand’s values, ethos, and character, helping to differentiate it in a crowded marketplace.
A distinctive name can carve out a unique space in the industry, fostering a strong brand identity that resonates with the target audience and builds loyalty.
SEO Advantages
A strategically chosen name can also offer SEO benefits. Incorporating keywords related to the store’s niche can improve search engine rankings, driving organic traffic to the store.
A name that aligns with common search terms can enhance online visibility, attracting a steady stream of potential customers and boosting sales.
Global Appeal
In the era of global e-commerce, a name with universal appeal can facilitate international expansion. A name that is easy to pronounce and understand across different languages and cultures can attract a diverse customer base.
It can also ease the entry into new markets, positioning the store as a global brand with a wide reach.
Conclusion: What Should I Name My Online Store?
When you’re creating a new online store, you want to ensure that it has the best name. That is why you’ve got to sit down and think about it. This name is going to be with you for a long time. So ensure that you’ve got a name that is memorable, unique, and identifies you as a brand.
Keep on reading about Dropshipping on Shopify. For example 10 Ways To Improve Your Product Descriptions and How To Create An Online Store. Both part of our Shopify Dropshipping Apps and Shopify Dropshipping Themes lists. You can read more about Dropshipping on Shopify with our ultimate Dropshipping on Shopify guide.
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How long should my online store’s name be?
An optimal online store name is concise and memorable, typically around 2-3 words long. It should be easily searchable and pronounceable to aid in brand recall and customer engagement.
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Can I change my online store’s name in the future?
Changing your online store’s name is possible but can impact brand recognition and SEO. It requires careful planning, customer notification, and updates to marketing materials and legal documents.
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How can I test the effectiveness of my online store’s name?
Gather feedback by conducting surveys or polls among potential customers. Utilize social media or online forums to gauge public opinion. Consider the ease of pronunciation, spelling, and the emotional response elicited to evaluate the name’s effectiveness.
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