Creating an online store name can be a lot of work. Not only must you think of something completely unique and memorable, but you have to make sure that you stand out from your competition. It can be helpful to follow a few simple tips to create a memorable store name.
Consider Your Audience
Thinking about audience is probably the most important step that you will take when you are choosing a memorable name for your online business. Here is where you examine:
- Who will your store be selling to?
- How will your product affect your name?
- What do your competitors' names look like?
Answering these questions is vital to ensure your name is unique and catchy. To answer these questions, it is helpful to remember the three Rs - research, research, research.
Research Your Competition
Make sure that your name is original and will stand out in the online world by researching the names your competition is using. For example, if you have an online clothing store, make your name distinctive. If all the stores use clothing in the name, grab a thesaurus and look for some synonyms like attire or apparel. That way your customers know what you sell but you will still stand out because your name is different.
Research Your Target Market
Examine the target market that you are hoping to sell too. Ask yourself:
- What do they like?
- What will stand out to them?
- What name will make them choose your store?
For example, the name you choose for a trendy retro store will be much different from the name that you choose that sells essential oils for older generations. A name like Raven's Retro Attire doesn't really scream business attire, however, it could be the best name for an online consignment shop.
Research Top Online Companies
Look at other top business models and names. Examine what they did to help make them stand out in their market.
- Break down their name
- Look at their corporate identity
- Examine how the two (name and logo) work together
When considering a name for your online store, it can be helpful to think of your name and your logo as one entity. Examine how the two will work together. This can really make your online store truly stand out when you choose your name. It is also the first way to promote your online store.
Examine Where You Will Be Selling
It might not seem like it, but your name will vary depending on where you are selling. For example, the name you might choose for an Etsy or eBay store might be different from one you would choose for your own e-commerce website. This is because the discoverability of your store and branding will ultimately be different.
Stand Out in Your Environment
If you are starting an Etsy store, you'll want to think about names that will make you unique and stand out in the Etsy world. For example, if you want to personalize your store, you can use your own name in it, like Kat's Kitten Closet. The use of your name adds a personalized touch while the repeated play on words makes it memorable. Additionally, the words can easily be molded into a kitten for your logo.
Get Creative
If you are creating your own website, you'll want to think about rankings in Google or other search engines. This is where you can get really creative. For example, don't discount made up words like combining the word Pajamas and Animals to create Pajanimals for a store that sells animal pajamas. Sometimes creating made up names that still clue in to your product can make customers click just because it's interesting.
Tips for Using Business Name Generators
Sometimes you might be stuck even when using good strategies and tips. There are a number of different online business name generators available today, and many of them are free to use. These might help you if you are looking for creative ideas or need suggestions. Typically you'll enter a keyword or keyphrase relevant to your business, and receive suggestions. Some have different options such as entering your industry or 'fun' choices. To make the most of a generator tool to get a memorable name:
- Have a variety of different keywords on hand to try out and see what different results come up.
- Keep an open mind. There may be a suggestion among the results you never thought of that could be perfect.
- Try some name generators that also show whether or not the domain is available for business names. That way you know if you see one you love that you can get the domain name too.
- Play with a variety of different generators. They can have different algorithms and tools , so you could get very a wide range of results using multiple ones.
Choose a Name
This might sound like a simple step given all the research that you've completed, but it is equally, if not, more difficult. Since only you can choose your business name, here are a few last tips to remember:
Short Names
Short names that are easy to remember work better. Customers will remember something short like Kat's Closet over Kat's Kitten Clothing Palace.
Descriptive Language
Be descriptive. Your name and logo should leave no clues about what your stores sells. Therefore, think about names that provoke imagery of clothing, flowers, calculators, electronics, toys - or whatever product you sell.
Use Easy Spellings
Make it easy to spell. Remember your business name will be your URL. Making the spelling too complicated can be a surefire way to get lost in the crowd.
Avoid Names That Are Too Trendy
Stay away from current trends. You want to ensure your store name lasts a long time. A store name with Kardashian or Reptar might not be relevant to anyone 10 years down the road.
A Thoughtful Process
Creating a memorable online store name can be challenging. Not only do you want to create something that is unique and tailored to your business, but you have to make sure that it won't be so long or difficult that it is too hard for people to remember. Use the tips above and find the name that really fits you.
