How to find the perfect name for your online store in 2023

They say a name isn't everything, but when it comes to your online store, choosing the right name can mean the difference between meteoric success and digital oblivion.

Seriously, who would want to buy products from a store whose name evokes the sadness of a gray, rainy Monday morning?

Come on, let's help you choose a name that shines brighter than the summer sun.

1. Think about your brand

Before you embark on the quest for the perfect name for your online store, take a moment to think about your brand as a whole. This involves clearly defining what you sell, who you sell it to, and how you want to be perceived by your customers. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What products or services do you sell? You need to understand what you're offering your customers. You can sell physical products, services, digital products, and more. This could help determine the types of names that would be suitable for your store.
  For example, if you sell handmade furniture, a name that evokes craftsmanship might be appropriate. If you only use our print-on-demand service, keep in mind the different products we offer.
• Who is your target audience? Knowing your target audience is crucial when choosing your online store name. For example, if you're targeting young adults who are passionate about technology, you might want a modern, geeky name.
  On the other hand, if your target audience is older and appreciates luxury, a sleek and sophisticated name will be more appropriate.
• What are your corporate values? Your company's values are an essential part of your brand. For example, if sustainability is a key value for your business (hopefully), you might want to consider a name that evokes nature or sustainability.
• What image do you want to convey? Think about how you want people to perceive your online store. Do you want to be perceived as serious and professional, creative or innovative, or perhaps a combination of these? Your store's name should help convey that image.

Take the time to write down your answers to these questions and think about what they mean for your brand. This will help you identify the types of names that would be appropriate for your online store, and provide you with a clear direction when you begin the brainstorming process.

Remember, choosing a name for your online store is a long-term investment. It must not only attract the attention of your potential customers, but also remain relevant and meaningful as your business grows and evolves.

As a reminder, a great article is available here: Choosing the right brand name.

2. Be original, but clear

Once you have a clear idea of what your brand stands for, it's time to start thinking about names. And here, the challenge is to find the right balance between originality and clarity. Here's why both are important:

Originality: The world of e-commerce is vast and competitive. It's essential that your online store stands out. That's why originality is important. A unique name can grab attention, spark curiosity, and help your store stand out from the competition. Don't be afraid to play with words, invent new terms, or use unexpected combinations.
Well, on the other hand, avoid super complicated names or ones based on a play on words, you risk losing part of your audience in the long run.

Clarity: However, it's essential that your name clearly communicates what your online store sells. If potential customers can't guess what kind of products or services you offer, they may miss out.
Remember, your name is often the first thing a customer sees about your store. It should give an idea of what they can expect from you.

So how do you strike the right balance between originality and clarity?

Here are a few tips:

Brainstorm: Take a piece of paper and write down all the ideas that come to mind. Don't limit yourself, the goal is to have as many ideas as possible from which you can then choose.

Manipulate words: Use synonyms, foreign words, metaphors, rhymes, alliterations...
Anything that can make your name more interesting and memorable.

Test your ideas: Talk to your friends, family, colleagues. Ask them what they think of your name, what it means to them, if they find it easy to pronounce and remember.

Keep it simple: A name that's too complicated or difficult to pronounce is likely to put customers off. Even if you want to be original, it's important to keep your name accessible.

Ultimately, the ideal name for your online store is one that reflects your brand, appeals to your target audience and stands out from the competition, while remaining clear and easy to understand.

It's not an easy task, but with a little creativity and thought, you can find the perfect name for your store.

3. Think SEO

In 2023, online visibility is more crucial than ever, and that's where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. A good online store name isn't just attractive and relevant, it also needs to be optimized for SEO. Here's how you can integrate SEO thinking into your naming process:

Use relevant keywords: If possible, try to incorporate relevant keywords into your online store name.
For example, if you sell handmade clothing, using the word "handmade," "artisanal," or "clothing" in your store name can help improve your ranking in search results. Still, be careful not to cram keywords at the expense of clarity or originality in your name.

Be specific: A specific name can help target customers who are looking for precisely what you offer. For example, if you sell vintage wedding dresses, a name like "Vintage Bride" could help you attract customers who are specifically looking for that type of product.

Consider the competition: Doing a little research on your competitors can give you an idea of the keywords they use in their names and help you determine which keywords might be effective for your own store. However, avoid directly copying your competitors' names. The goal is to get ideas and see what works in your industry, not plagiarizing.

Test your name: Once you've chosen a name, test it by doing a few searches on Google or another search engine. See what types of results appear when you search for your store name. This can give you an idea of how your store might rank in search results.

By keeping these SEO considerations in mind, you can choose a name that will not only help you attract customers, but also improve your online visibility. That said, SEO isn't the only consideration when choosing a name. Don't forget that your store name should also be memorable, meaningful and reflect the essence of your brand.

4. Check name availability

It's crucial to check the availability of your chosen name before committing to it. Here are three essential steps to follow:

• Check domain name availability: A domain name is the URL that customers will use to access your online store. Ideally, your domain name should be the same or very similar to your store name to avoid confusion. There are many domain name search tools available online that can help you check the availability of your desired domain name.
• Check social media availability: Even if you don't intend to launch a social media campaign right away, it's a good idea to check the availability of your store name on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Pinterest. This way, you can ensure that you can use the same name (or a very similar name) across all of your platforms for optimal brand consistency.
• Check trademarks: This is an essential step to avoid legal issues in the future. You can perform a trademark search in the database of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) or the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in France for example. If the name you have chosen is already a registered trademark in your industry, it would be best to choose a different name.

Checking availability may seem like a tedious process, but it's essential to avoid future problems. It's better to find out now that your name is unavailable or protected by trademark rights, rather than face legal problems or customer confusion later.

So, once you've chosen a name that matches your brand, is clear and original, and is optimized for SEO, make sure you spend some time checking its availability. This is the last crucial step in defining the perfect name for your online store.

5. Ask around for advice

After reviewing the previous steps, you probably have one or two ideas for names for your online store. Before making a final choice, however, it's beneficial to get some feedback. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:

• Target your audience: Ask a cross-section of your target audience what they think of the name you're considering. After all, they are the ones who will interact with your brand the most. You can conduct a poll, host a focus group, or simply ask a few people who fit your target audience. Ask questions about what the name means to them, whether they find it appealing, and whether they think it's a good fit for your product or service.
• Consult with experts: If you know experts in marketing, branding, or e-commerce, their insights can be valuable. They might offer you a different perspective or shed light on aspects you haven't considered.
• Don't forget those around you: Your colleagues, friends, family, can also offer valuable perspective. As people involved in your business, they have a good understanding of your brand and can give constructive feedback.
• Be open to criticism: When asking for feedback, be prepared to receive criticism. Not all reactions will be positive, and that's a good thing. Constructive feedback can help you narrow down your name or identify potential issues you may not have anticipated.

Keep in mind that, while feedback is valuable, the final decision is yours. It's your brand, and you should be happy and confident with the name you choose.

To sum up

Choosing the ideal name for your online store is a crucial decision that deserves serious and thorough consideration. The name you select goes far beyond a simple label; it is the representation of your brand in the minds of consumers and the first point of contact for your potential customers. It has the power to evoke an image, create an emotional Login and set expectations.

From understanding your brand to analyzing the preferences of your target audience, from balancing originality and clarity to integrating SEO thinking, every step of the process is important. You need to consider both the commercial and creative aspects of your business, ensuring that your name is unique but also easily identifiable in an ever-changing digital world.

And even once you've found that seemingly perfect name, the work isn't over. You need to check its availability on various platforms, whether in terms of domain names, social networks or trademarks. This is a necessary step to avoid legal problems in the future, and to ensure that your brand is consistent across all platforms.

Finally, seeking feedback can be a valuable step in avoiding unexpected pitfalls. Feedback from your target audience, your team and industry experts can provide vital information and help you fine-tune your name before its official launch.

In short, the name of your online store is the essence of your brand identity. It requires careful thought and attention. But with these steps and tips in mind, you're well equipped to create a name that will not only be attractive and memorable to your target audience, but will also carry the potential of your business and grow with it over the long term.

So take the time, enjoy the creative process and watch your brand come to life.