How to Change My Website Name on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide for E-Commerce Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Difference Between Store Name and Domain Name
3. Common Reasons for Changing Your Store Name
4. How to Change Your Store Name on Shopify
5. How to Change Your Domain Name on Shopify
6. The Impact on SEO After Changing Your Store Name and Domain
7. FAQs
8. Conclusion

Changing a website name is not just about a fresh coat of paint; it's about realigning your e-commerce brand to better reflect its identity, mission, or expanded offerings. For Shopify merchants, altering your online store name, which customers see, might become necessary as your business grows or shifts focus. Whether you’ve decided to embark on a rebranding journey, have developed a richer catalogue, or simply feel that your existing name is no longer representative of your business, understanding how to navigate this change is crucial.

Are you unsure about where to begin or what the process looks like? This guide aims to simplify that journey. We'll cover the necessary steps to change your Shopify store name and the intricacies involved in changing URLs or domain names associated with your g-commerce business.

Introduction

Did you know that a well-chosen brand name can enhance customer recognition and loyalty? In fact, a research study found that customers are most likely to remember brands that have a clear and relevant name. However, there comes a time when even the most fitting names may lose their relevance. Perhaps you've expanded from selling just shoes to a wide array of apparel and accessories, necessitating a better representation of your diverse offerings.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about changing your Shopify store name, the differences between your store name and domain name, common reasons for making such changes, and their implications, particularly around search engine optimization (SEO). By the end of this post, you’ll have all the tools you need to not just change your Shopify store name but to do it in a way that ensures customer satisfaction and maintains your online reputation.

We'll break this down into several sections:

• Understanding the Difference Between Store Name and Domain Name
• Common Reasons for Changing Your Store Name
• How to Change Your Store Name on Shopify
• How to Change Your Domain Name on Shopify
• The Impact on SEO After Changing Your Store Name and Domain
• FAQs

Now, let’s delve into the core of the topic.

Understanding the Difference Between Store Name and Domain Name

As we embark on this journey, it's vital to clarify the distinction between your Shopify store name and its domain name. Together, they form your brand’s online identity.

Store Name

Your store name is the title your customers see when they visit your site. It represents your brand and serves as the first point of contact customers have with your business. It appears across various touchpoints, including your storefront, email communications, and website notifications. For instance, if your store is named "Eagle Wear," that name becomes central to your branding and marketing efforts.

Domain Name

The domain name, usually structured as yourstorename.myshopify.com or a custom URL like yourstorename.com, serves as your store's web address. This URL is essential for customers to access your store online. It’s important to know that while the store name can be changed more freely, the myshopify.com URL can only be modified once, conveying the restriction that Shopify places on this aspect.

Understanding this distinction is imperative as you consider changing your store name—particularly as it influences how customers perceive your business.

Common Reasons for Changing Your Store Name

Changing your store name can feel like a monumental decision, but here are some common and valid reasons that could necessitate this change:

1. Rebranding or Brand Overhaul
   • As companies grow, they often find that their original branding no longer aligns with their vision or target market. A rebrand might mean a complete overhaul of your store name, logo, and marketing materials.
2. Expansion of Product Offerings
   • If your store initially catered to a specific niche but has expanded into broader categories, a name change can better encapsulate your new offerings. For instance, "Kicks Only" may evolve to "Kicks & Gear" if you start selling sports equipment alongside footwear.
3. Acquisition of Existing Brands
   • If you acquire or merge with another brand, you might want to consolidate under a new name that represents the combined businesses.
4. Elimination of Misleading Names
   • If your store name implies a narrow focus that no longer reflects the breadth of your product selection, you may want to change it to reduce customer confusion.

Understanding these scenarios helps create clarity around why you may want to change your Shopify store name.

How to Change Your Store Name on Shopify

Changing your Shopify store name is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to complete the task:

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Admin Dashboard

Begin by logging into your Shopify admin account. Once logged in, navigate to the bottom left side of the screen and click on Settings.

Step 2: Go to General Settings

Once you're in the settings options, click on General. This section contains the basic details about your store.

Step 3: Edit Your Store Name

Within the Store details section, you will see Store name. Click on the Edit icon (the pencil) located next to the store name. Input your new store name here.

Step 4: Save Changes

After entering your new name, ensure you click Save at the bottom of the page. Your new store name will now reflect across your website in real-time.

Changing your store name is that simple! But it doesn't stop there—if you wish to ensure that your domain matches your new store name, follow the next section.

How to Change Your Domain Name on Shopify

Changing your domain name requires more steps and is generally more restrictive than a simple store name change. Here’s how to manage this process:

Understand the Types of Domains

1. MyShopify Domain: The default domain you get when signing up has the format yourstorename.myshopify.com. This can only be changed once.
2. Custom Domain: This is the customer-facing domain (like yourstorename.com) that you might purchase from Shopify or another provider.

Step 1: Change Your MyShopify Domain (If Applicable)

If you need to change your myshopify.com domain, follow these steps:

1. Access Settings: From your Shopify admin dashboard, click on Settings.
2. Domains: Choose Domains from the options.
3. Change MyShopify Domain: Click on Change to a new myshopify.com domain.
4. Enter New Domain: Type in your desired new myshopify.com URL and click Add domain.
5. Save: Your previous myshopify.com domain will automatically redirect to the new one. Remember to keep a note of the old URL for administrative purposes.

Step 2: Change Your Custom Domain (If Needed)

If you have a custom domain that needs to reflect your new store name:

1. Buy a New Domain: Visit your Domains settings to either buy a new domain from Shopify, transfer a domain from another provider, or connect an existing custom domain.
2. Follow the Prompts: Depending on your choice, follow the prompts provided by Shopify.

Step 3: Set the Primary Domain

After you’ve added a new domain, remember to set it as the primary domain for your store. Navigate back to the Domains section, select your new domain, and click Save.

The domain-changing process may seem slightly intricate, but ensuring that your web address reflects your new brand name is well worth the effort.

The Impact on SEO After Changing Your Store Name and Domain

For many merchants, a primary concern when changing a store name or domain revolves around SEO and visibility on search engines. Let's explore how to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Understanding SEO Implications

1. Setting Up 301 Redirects: This is crucial when you change your domain. A 301 redirect informs search engines that your page has permanently moved, transferring the SEO strength of your old URL to the new one. This lessens the negative impact on your search ranking.
2. Updating Backlinks: Be proactive about reaching out to sites that link to your old domain. This will help ensure they point to your new URL for continued traffic.
3. Maintaining Title Tags and Metadata: Make sure to update your title tags and meta descriptions to accurately reflect your new store name. This will assist search engines in effectively indexing your new information and improve your click-through rates from search results.
4. Active Monitoring: Post-change, keep a watchful eye on metrics like organic traffic and bounce rates. Adjust your SEO strategy as needed to ensure that the change is cohesive and effective.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll minimize SEO risks, allowing your new brand identity to flourish without losing the visibility you’ve worked hard to achieve.

FAQs

Can I Change My Shopify Store Name?

Absolutely! Changing your Shopify store name is a straightforward process that only takes a few moments. However, before doing so, consider how it might affect your brand and marketing efforts.

Can I Change My MyShopify.com Domain?

Yes, you can change your myshopify.com URL, but remember that this can only be done once. If you decide you need to change it more than once, you would need to create a new Shopify store.

Do I Need to Change My Domain Name When I Change My Store Name?

While it’s best practice for the store name and domain to match, it’s not strictly necessary. If you already have a custom domain, that is what customers will primarily see. However, for brand consistency, aligning them is advisable.

How Do I Maintain My SEO After Changing Names?

By implementing 301 redirects from your old URLs to the new ones, updating backlinks, and monitoring your website’s performance after the transition, you can adequately manage your SEO.

What is the Best Approach for Rebranding?

When rebranding, it is essential to communicate the change to your existing customers effectively. Utilize your email marketing, social media platforms, and website to share news of your new name, offering an explanation as to why this change is taking place.

Conclusion

Adjusting your Shopify store name is a significant step towards aligning your brand with its evolving identity and product offerings. While the process is straightforward, actionable knowledge about domain changes and their SEO implications is equally important to ensure your business maintains its digital integrity and visibility.

By following the steps outlined in this blog, engaging transparently with your customers, and implementing smart SEO strategies, you can facilitate a seamless transition. So, are you ready to redefine your brand's identity for continued growth and success?

Let's take a bold step forward in this journey together!