Choosing a domain name for your Shopify store is an important step, and it's not straightforward.
The name of your Shopify store will tell the world what your business is about. If it looks professional and is easy to remember, you are halfway there. You want people to find you easily, and the first step toward that goal is the right name for your store.
Your store name represents your brand and is important for the store's ranking on Google and other search engines.
Why you should not host your store on the Shopify domain
If you choose to host your shop on Shopify’s domain, your store's URL will look something like this: MYSTORENAME.shopify.com.
It doesn't look as professional as the URL of an independent store. Register your domain with another host and then transfer it to Shopify.
Choosing a name for your Shopify store
Choose the .Com Domain Extension for Your Shopify Store
It's recommended for Shopify shop owners to opt for the .Com Domain Extension rather than .net or .org. It is the most used extension, so if a person is looking for a store like yours online, they'll most like type .com in the URL.
Make Your Shop Name Simple and Short
Keep your domain name as short as possible, so it's easy to remember. Try not to use more than 16 characters. Think of the ones you know by heart – they are probably short and simple.
Choose a Unique Name That Is Easy To Spell and Say
Choose a name that is easy on the tongue. You can even choose something with your name on it, which will help you build your brand. The point is, your name should help you stand out from the crowd.
Include a Keyword in Your Domain Name
Adding a keyword to your Shopify shop name is a great marketing ploy to let people know what your business is about. It is also great for SEO.
For example, if you want to sell keto recipes, you can name your store something like ketorecipies.com, which makes the purpose of your business clear.
Don’t Modify Words, So the Domain Becomes Registerable
It is notoriously difficult to find a domain name that is good and has not already been taken, so many people resort to adding a letter to a word to make the name unique.
For instance, ddenverquilts.com may be a unique name, but it will confuse people.
Don't Use Numbers and Hyphens
Don't use numbers or hyphens in your domain name. They are difficult to remember, and spammers tend to use them.
Since there are already 370 million domain names registered, you are in for an almost impossible task. Make use of a domain name generator to generate a domain name for you. Shopify also has one.
Once you have come up with a name, check if it's not already registered. If it isn't, register it as soon as possible before someone else takes it.
Reasons for changing your Shopify store name
Changing your store's name is not a decision that you should take lightly. The step can cost you in Google ranking, customers, and sales.
However, sometimes there are legitimate reasons for changing a Shopify store name. Let's look at some of them.
You Need To Rebrand Your Store
This is a valid reason for changing a business name. Rebranding may be necessary when:
- The store name is no longer a true reflection of the goals and objectives of the business. For instance, you are no longer selling backpacks; you are selling car seats.
- The business has changed and is now doing more and different things.
Your Business Is Expanding
Store owners may need to rename their business when their offering has changed and grown.
For instance, if the store's name is Amanda's Socks, but you now also sell slippers and sleepwear, you might need to change the name, so it is a true representation of what you offer.
Buying a Store from Someone Else
It's understandable that you might want to change a store's name when you become the owner since you probably want to put your own stamp on it.
Updating a Confusing Name
If your shop has a similar name to another online store, it can cause endless problems for store owners and customers. In this case, it might be wise to change your store's name.
How do I edit my Shopify store name?
- Log into Shopify admin.
- Locate Settings in the bottom left corner of the page, and click it.
- Go to Store Details and click Edit.
- Under Store Details, locate Basic information and enter your new store name, your company’s legal name, and your industry.
- When you have updated everything, click Save.
Rename your Shopify URL
- Go to your Shopify dashboard.
- Locate Settings and click on it.
- Click Domains.
- Under Domains, click Change to a new myshopify.com domain.
- Replace your current myshopify URL with a new one.
- Click Add domain
Keep in mind that you can only change your myshopify URL once. Also, make a note of your original myshopify.com URL, as you will still need it to log into your store. You will also need it when you need to work with the Shopify support team.
Conclusion
You can rename your Shopify store and change a myshopify.com store URL.
It is wise to choose your store name at the outset carefully, but if you find that you have to change it, the process is not complicated.
Are you planning to migrate your store? If you are planning a migration, consider the Cart2Cart Shopping Cart Migration tool for this purpose. Cart2Cart is an advanced automated migration tool that transfers all your data to another platform quickly, and securely.
April 25, 2024 
