How to Change Your Shopify Store Name and Domain: A Simple & SEO-Friendly Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Change Your Shopify Store Name and Domain?
  3. How to Change Your Shopify Store Name
  4. Changing Your Shopify Domain
  5. Mitigating SEO Impact
  6. FAQs
  7. Conclusion

Did you know that approximately 20% of small businesses rebrand each year? Whether it's due to a shift in market dynamics, a change in strategy, or simply the need for a fresh start, changing your Shopify store name and domain is a significant part of this process. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to change your store name and domain on Shopify without losing your SEO traction, and why it matters more than you might think.

Introduction

Imagine you established your Shopify store under the name "Evolve Cacao," reflecting your initial focus on chocolate products. As your business expands to include a broader range of wholefoods, the name "Prana Wholefoods" might better encapsulate your brand's essence and offerings. A scenario like this isn't merely hypothetical; it's the story of many growth-oriented entrepreneurs navigating the evolution of their brands. In such cases, changing your Shopify store name and domain becomes imperative to maintaining a cohesive brand identity. But how do you ensure a smooth transition, especially concerning SEO? Let's dive in.

Why Change Your Shopify Store Name and Domain?

The name and domain of your Shopify store are more than just identifiers; they are integral to your brand's online presence and search engine rankings. A name change might be motivated by various factors, including:

  1. Rebranding or brand overhaul: To better represent the growth, diversification, or new direction of your business.
  2. Business expansion: Moving beyond your initial product range or service offerings, necessitating a name that reflects this broader scope.
  3. Acquiring another store: Where integration under a single, cohesive brand name enhances synergy and market penetration.
  4. Clarification of business purpose: Aligning your business name more closely with your product offerings or target market to minimize confusion.

How to Change Your Shopify Store Name

Changing your Shopify store name requires careful consideration and a strategic approach, ensuring minimal disruption to your existing customer base and SEO efforts. Here's how to complete the process smoothly:

  1. From your Shopify Admin Dashboard, navigate to Settings ➜ Store details.
  2. Next to the Store name field, click Edit.
  3. Enter your new store name and click Save.

It's crucial to communicate this change effectively to your customers through newsletters, social media announcements, and on your website.

Changing Your Shopify Domain

Syncing your domain with your new store name is equally vital. While Shopify automatically assigns a ".myshopify.com" domain, most businesses opt for a custom domain for branding continuity.

  1. Purchase a new domain (if you haven't already) through Shopify or another domain registrar.
  2. In Shopify Admin, go to Online Store ➜ Domains and select 'Connect existing domain' or 'Buy new domain.'
  3. Follow the prompts to add your new domain and set it as the primary domain.

Encompass the SEO aspect by setting up 301 redirects from your old URLs to the new ones to avoid broken links and preserve your search engine rankings.

Mitigating SEO Impact

Changing your domain has significant implications for SEO. To mitigate negative impacts:

  • Implement 301 redirects immediately to guide visitors and search engines to your new URLs.
  • Update all external links: Reach out to platforms linking to your site, requesting them to update the URLs.
  • Announce the change widely: Use social media, your newsletter, and press releases to inform your audience about the change.
  • Monitor your site's performance: Keep an eye on your website traffic, search engine rankings, and any crawl errors reported by Google Search Console.

FAQs

Q. Can I change my Shopify store name without changing the domain?

Yes, you can change your store's name from the Shopify Admin without altering the domain. However, changing the store name without updating the domain might lead to brand inconsistency.

Q. How often can I change my Shopify store name?

While Shopify doesn't limit how often you can change your store name, frequent changes can confuse customers and weaken your brand identity.

Q. Will changing my Shopify domain affect my search engine ranking?

Yes, changing your domain can temporarily affect your rankings. However, proper implementation of 301 redirects and updating backlinks can minimize this impact.

Conclusion

Changing your Shopify store name and domain is a strategic step that can significantly benefit your brand if done correctly. By following the outlined process and focusing on SEO best practices, you can ensure a seamless transition that supports your growth and market positioning goals. Whether you're rebranding or expanding, your Shopify store's name and domain are foundational to your online identity—make them count.

Adapting to change is the hallmark of a successful business. As you evolve, ensure your Shopify store reflects who you are today—and where you’re headed tomorrow.