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How To Choose The Best Business Name For Your Shopify Store?

January 02, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

This article navigates you through the process of choosing an optimal business name for your Shopify store, ensuring it mirrors your brand and captivates your desired audience.

How To Choose The Best Business Name For Your Shopify Store?

Key Takeaways

  • The name of your Shopify store holds immense importance as it’s the first interaction customers have with your brand.
  • A successful store name should be simple, memorable, easy to spell, and relevant to your brand. Consider domain availability, future expansion, cultural sensitivity, and legal aspects when choosing a name.
  • Changing your Shopify store name is possible, but it’s a decision that should be made after careful consideration as it can impact the brand image you’ve built.

The Importance Of A Good Shopify Store Name

Selecting a name for your store is crucial to your online presence. It’s the first impression potential customers will have of your business and it will leave a lasting impact. 

A well-crafted name can spark curiosity, reflect your brand’s personality, and attract your desired demographic. Therefore, it is imperative to invest time and effort into selecting an appropriate name that aligns with your business ethos and resonates with your target audience. Make sure you choose wisely.

What To Consider When Choosing The Name For Your Shopify Store?

Choosing the right name for your Shopify store is a critical decision that can significantly impact your brand’s success. Here are several important factors to consider when selecting a name for your online store:

.com Top-Level Domain Name

With over a thousand domain extensions available, choosing one that suits your business or goal can be tough. In such cases, opting for a .com domain is usually seen as the best option. Here’s why obtaining a .com domain name is often recommended:

  • Credibility and Trust: The .com extension is universally recognized and trusted by consumers, making it significantly easier for potential customers to locate and recall your online store’s name. Securing a .com domain gives your business the best chance to stand out in a crowded online marketplace and establish a robust and trustworthy brand identity.
  • Professionalism: Many individuals and businesses associate .com domains with professionalism and legitimacy. If you’re running an online store or business, having a .com domain can convey that you’re serious about your online presence.
  • Global Reach: .com is recognized internationally, making it suitable for businesses or individuals looking to reach a global audience. It doesn’t carry geographical restrictions, making it an ideal choice for expanding beyond your local market.
  • Compatible with Shopify: You can easily transfer a .com domain to Shopify. While non-.com domains can also be used with Shopify, some, like .ca domains, can’t be moved to Shopify. So, choosing a .com domain is a safer choice.

Simple, Memorable, Easy To Spell, And Pronunciation

When considering the name for your store, it’s important to choose a name that is easily remembered and simple to spell. Avoid overly complicated or clever names that may confuse your target audience. 

A straightforward and memorable name can increase the likelihood of customers recommending your store through word-of-mouth. For example, compared to a hard-to-read name like Sonste, Sunny will be more customer-friendly. Therefore, take the time to choose a name that rolls off the tongue and resonates with your target market.

Usually, your domain can be up to 63 characters, including anything. However, aim for brevity and simplicity. Short, clear names attract customers. Many top 100 global brands use one word with up to three syllables. Also, ensure the name is easily searchable and spelled correctly in American English when heard, not just seen.

Store names can be creative with wordplay for a standout name. Experiment with these methods:

  • Acronyms: Condense long terms to initials or combine name initials.
  • Rhymes: Combine rhyming words for flair, like FireWire or StubHub.
  • Typos: Experiment with misspellings, uncovering locked terms (Lyft, Kool-Aid).
  • Foreign words: Use non-native words for intrigue and memorability.
  • Mash-ups: Blend significant terms for unique names, like Evernote (forever + note) or Netflix (internet + flicks).

Expresses The Feel Of Your Brand

Expresses The Feel Of Your Brand

When choosing a name for your store, it’s important to consider how it reflects your business and what it offers. A name that conveys the types of products you sell, the kind of experience customers can expect, or the emotions you want to evoke can help attract the right audience. 

By selecting a name that aligns with your brand’s values and image, you can establish a deeper connection with customers and build a stronger presence in the market. So, take the time to consider the meaning behind your store’s name and make sure it accurately represents your business. Before finalizing a business name, establish your brand identity and then select a name that truly reflects that characteristic.

You should also consider the feelings linked to your business name choice. It’s better to have a name that evokes positive emotions in potential customers rather than the opposite.

Future Expansion

When choosing a name for your business, it’s important to consider the future possibilities for expansion.

It’s best to avoid beyond potential specific names that may limit your growth if you diversify your product range. Opt for a versatile and not overly specific name, as a too-narrow focus could limit your success. For example, instead of choosing Jammy’s Jackets Store, you can use Jammy’s Boutiques Store instead.

By doing so, you can ensure that your brand will be able to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs while still maintaining a strong and recognized identity.

Cultural Sensitivity

In the current age of globalization, businesses must be mindful of cultural differences when selecting a name for their store. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research to ensure that the chosen name is not offensive or alienating to any particular group of people. 

Expressly, we should limit unique or sensitive words related to culture, religion, and ethnicity. By doing so, businesses can create a universally acceptable name that promotes inclusivity and diversity, eventually fostering a positive brand image.

Steer clear of names resembling your competitors’. Watch for similar names used by rivals while searching for a unique name. Being confused with a competitor isn’t advantageous. Conduct market research to identify domain names used by your direct rivals. Strive for something entirely different that reflects your own identity or describes your brand.

Before finalizing a name, check for any trademarks or existing businesses with a similar name. You wouldn’t want to face legal battles or confusion down the line. Begin your research with a general online search for companies with similar names. Explore names registered as trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database. Also, consider checking for alternate spellings and abbreviations during your search.

Doing thorough research on the specific company name you wish to trademark can provide a clear trademark ownership indication and help avoid future legal battles, that may come in the form of cease and desist letters or infringement lawsuits.

Domain Availability

It is imperative that you choose a name that is available as a domain to avoid potential complexities and challenges down the road.

Once you settle on a domain name for your Shopify store, promptly register it. Over 100,000 domains are registered daily, and yours could be taken. If you delay, you might need to restart the registration process. 

It’s wise to register a domain when you have ideas, costing around $10–$14 per year. Remember, you can open an online store later on.

Include a relevant keyword in your domain to communicate your company’s focus or target audience. Keywords in the domain also improve SEO and click-through rates (CTR) in search results. Visitors tend to click on websites with relevant content. While choosing a name, consider SEO optimization difficulty. Utilize keyword tools (e.g., Keyword Tool, Google Keyword Planner) to research related product keywords. Seamlessly integrate them into your store name. A frequently searched name is advantageous, but a high search volume might mean tough competition. Google Traffic is challenging with tough keyword optimization and low traffic. So, consider tools to find suitable long-tail keywords.

Tips For Naming A Shopify Store

Here are some helpful tips for naming your Shopify store:

  1. Brainstorm a list of potential names that align with your brand’s identity.
  2. Test the names with friends, family, or focus groups to gather feedback.
  3. Consider using keywords related to your niche to improve search engine visibility.
  4. Avoid trendy names that might become outdated quickly.
  5. Check social media availability for the name to ensure consistency across platforms.

How To Change Shopify Store Name

How To Change Shopify Store Name

While choosing the right name is crucial, it’s not a permanent decision. If you find that your store’s focus or branding has evolved, you can change the name. However, this should be done strategically to avoid confusing existing customers.

Step 1: In your Shopify admin dashboard, go to the bottom of the menu and click “Settings.”

Step 2: Under the “Store details” section, type your desired store name in the “Store name” box.

Step 3: Click the “Save” button.

Step 4: Visit your website to see if the new name has been updated.

Notes:

  • If you don’t see the change, clear your cache.
  • Your domain name and store name don’t need to match; they are separate. Changing the store name only affects what appears on the website.
  • Your login URL (“yourstorename.myshopify.com”) will continue to use the store name you initially set up. Changing the store name won’t alter this URL since it’s fixed once generated.
  • If you’re not using the “yourstorename.myshopify.com” website address, you can connect your current domain name through Settings > Domain.

5 Inspirations For Shopify Store Name

Are you struggling to find the perfect name for your Shopify store? Check out these five inspiring ideas that might just spark your creativity.

Bee’s Wrap

Bee's Wrap

Bee’s Wrap is an eco-friendly brand that produces reusable beeswax food wraps as an alternative to single-use plastic wrap. The name perfectly encapsulates the product’s purpose and the natural materials used in its creation.

Pura Vida Bracelets

Pura Vida Bracelets

Pura Vida Bracelets offers a range of handcrafted bracelets and accessories. The name, which translates to “pure life” in Spanish, aligns with the brand’s ethos of celebrating a simple, joyful lifestyle.

Allbirds

Allbirds

Allbirds is a footwear company known for its sustainable and comfortable shoes made from merino wool. The name cleverly combines “all” (indicating inclusivity) and “birds” (hinting at the natural materials used).

Man Crates

Man Crates

Man Crates specializes in unique and curated gift crates for men, often containing tools, snacks, and gadgets. The name playfully suggests ruggedness and excitement, fitting its target audience.

Gymshark

Gymshark

Gymshark is a fitness apparel brand that started in the gym and has gained a massive online following. The name combines “gym” and “shark” to represent strength, determination, and performance.

Bottom Lines

Choosing the right business name for your Shopify store is pivotal in creating a strong online presence. By considering factors like domain availability, branding, cultural sensitivity, and legal considerations, you can ensure that your Shopify store’s name becomes an asset that drives your success in the dynamic world of e-commerce.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.