How to Change Your Website Name on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Change Your Shopify Store Name?
  3. How to Change Your Shopify Store Name
  4. Protecting Your SEO When Changing Your Store Name
  5. FAQs on Changing Your Shopify Store Name
  6. Conclusion

Changing your website name on Shopify might not be something you plan on doing often, but when the need arises, it’s crucial to handle the transition smoothly to minimize any potential impacts on your business. Whether rebranding or just correcting a name, this guide will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you maintain your SEO standings and keep your customers informed.

Introduction

Have you ever felt that moment of epiphany where you realize the name of your online store doesn’t quite match up with your brand’s vision or offerings anymore? Or perhaps, you're expanding, and your current name just doesn't cover the breadth of your product lines. It’s a pivotal moment, signaling growth, change, or a renewed direction for your ecommerce venture on Shopify.

This post is crafted to navigate you through the process of changing your Shopify store name and domain, illustrating not just the hows but also the whys and the additional considerations—specifically SEO—that are crucial for maintaining your brand's online presence and ensuring a seamless transition for your customers.

Why Change Your Shopify Store Name?

Rebranding Efforts

As businesses evolve, so do their branding needs. A name change might be necessary to better reflect the new direction or values of the company.

Business Expansion

If you originally started with a niche product but now plan to diversify your offerings, your current name might restrict you or mislead potential customers.

Avoiding Confusion

Sometimes, you need to change your store's name to avoid confusion with competitors or to make your brand more distinguishable and memorable.

Domain Name Availability

Finding the perfect domain that matches your business name can be tough. You might need to tweak your business name slightly to acquire a more suitable or professional-sounding domain.

How to Change Your Shopify Store Name

Changing the Display Name

  1. Navigate to Settings: In your Shopify admin dashboard, look for the "Settings" option, typically found at the bottom left corner.
  2. Edit Store Details: Within Settings, locate the "Store Details" section and click on the "Edit" option next to the Basic information block.
  3. Update and Save: Here, you can enter your new store name and, if necessary, update your industry or legal company name. Make sure to save your changes.

Changing the Shopify Domain Name

Besides changing what's displayed to your visitors, you might also want to update your domain name. This can be more complicated, especially if seeking to adjust your ".myshopify.com" URL. Essentially, you have three paths: purchasing a new domain through Shopify, connecting an existing domain, or transferring a domain into Shopify’s management.

To purchase or connect a new domain:

  1. Access Domain Settings: From your Shopify admin, navigate to "Settings" and then "Domains."
  2. Choose Your Option: Select to either buy a new domain or connect an existing one. Follow the prompts to finalize your domain's setup.

Remember, your Shopify store can only have one primary domain at a time, so any changes here will affect what your customers see and use to reach your store.

Protecting Your SEO When Changing Your Store Name

SEO might be the biggest concern when changing your Shopify store name and domain. Here’s how to mitigate any negative impacts:

  • 301 Redirects: Ensure any old URLs are redirected to your new domain to prevent dead links and maintain search engine rankings.
  • Update All References: This includes your social media profiles, any external sites that link back to you, and your Google My Business listing if you have one.
  • Notify Your Customers: Use your website, email newsletters, and social media to inform your customers about the change ahead of time.
  • Monitor Your SEO: Keep an eye on your search engine rankings and site traffic. You may see some fluctuation at first, but this should stabilize over time.

FAQs on Changing Your Shopify Store Name

Will changing my store name affect my Shopify SEO?
Yes, any change to your store’s name or domain can affect your SEO. Properly managing the transition, such as implementing 301 redirects and updating all links, can mitigate these effects.

What happens to my existing domain when I change my Shopify store name?
Your existing custom domain will continue to function as before. However, if you are changing your domain, then you’ll need to either purchase a new one, transfer an existing domain, or set a new primary domain from your Shopify settings.

Can I change my Shopify store name more than once?
Yes, you can change your Shopify store name multiple times through your Shopify admin settings. However, frequent changes are not recommended as it can confuse customers and affect your brand recognition.

How do I ensure my store's new name doesn't negatively impact my business?
Plan your transition carefully. Make sure to communicate the change to your customers, update all your marketing materials and social media profiles, and closely monitor your website's SEO performance after the change.

Conclusion

Changing your Shopify store name or domain isn’t something to take lightly. It requires careful planning and execution, especially regarding maintaining your SEO rankings and ensuring a smooth transition for your customers. However, with thoughtful preparation and by following the steps outlined above, you can successfully navigate this change, opening up new opportunities for your brand to grow and evolve.

Remember, change is often a sign of progress. Embrace it with the right strategies in place, and continue building your path to ecommerce success on Shopify.

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