Choosing a name for your shop can be fun but it is also a very important aspect of running your own business. Over the years your business will change & hopefully grow but the name will always be a constant factor. When picking your moniker it is always wise to pick something that is relevent, memorable, & most importantly, available!
Relevence
You have to remember your business name helps shape your brand. For example, if you make handmade soaps and your biz name is "Sew Little Time" you are going to leave your customers a wee bit confused. First impressions are everything. On the flip side you don't want to limit the future potential growth of your business. "Button Up" may be a clever name for your wooden button supply shop but what if later down the road you'd like to offer baker's twine & beads?
Pick a name that is reflective of the type of services, products, or values you would like to provide.
Memorable
It's great to stand out from the crowd but don't go all coo-coo creative & pick a name that is difficult for your customers to spell or pronounce. People will remember you more & have an easier time finding you if they understand the name! It is kind of like when you try to recall a celebrity's baby's name......."you know they named it something weird like Inspector Houndstooth or something".
Availability
Before you settle on a monikor make sure to check for any legalities such as trademarked words or stores with similar shop names. You can research trademarked words & phrases by visiting the United States Patent and Trademark Office website.
The last thing you want is to pick a simliar company name and drive business else where!
Most importantly have fun picking your name! If you are having a hard time deciding I suggest recruiting friends and family to brainstorm some ideas for you.
As always if you have additional tips or advice to add please feel free to do so in the comment section !
Great article! Sigghhh.... alas, I was one of those who changed their business name. I started out as Vivat Regina, latin for "Long live the Queen!" but after a while I realized that most people thought it was Viva T Regina, and I realized my business name didn't have the meaning behind it that I wanted. I had already started a second blog with the site name "Live Delightfully" so I decided to run full force with that as my new name. I'm sure I lost business, but oh well. My new name is growing up in it's own way, but I'm sure I could have saved myself a lot of time and headaches if I had read an article like yours 3 years ago! ;)
ReplyDeleteAhh such useful info! This could also apply to a blog! Back when I was actually going to open up an Etsy shop coming up with the name was seriously the hardest part--plus %90 of them were already taken
ReplyDeletegreat tips jen! it so inspiring to see you with your shop. i hope you get to the point where you can do it full-time because you have some of the cutest items!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if the name of my shop is okay or attractive but it is appropriate to me.
ReplyDeleteI actually chose this name before I had a shop. I still have the option of changing it if I want to.
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Sue
I've been debating opening an Etsy shop for a while and have read a lot of articles on the importance of the shop name you choose. It often gets overlooked but it's the first impression people have!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I do have to add picking a great name is important but keep in mind any name can work if it has the right branding and marketing behind it!
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ReplyDeleteUseful info, Jennifer. Starting up a business can be easier than picking a name. As long as it's catchy and attractive, it's good. But we should not forget that a business name is different from the product name. You can be creative with the latter, but not with the first. The reason is that a business name is part of a legal entity. Therefore, it should be something serious.
ReplyDeleteClint @Franchisematch.com