How to Change Your Shopify Store Name URL: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify Store Name vs. URL
3. Reasons for Changing Your Shopify Store Name or URL
4. Changing Your Shopify Store Name: Step-by-Step
5. Changing Your Shopify Store URL
6. Managing Your Custom Domain
7. SEO Considerations When Changing Your Store Name or URL
8. Case Study: The Impact of Changing Your Shopify Store URL
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that nearly 80% of entrepreneurs fail because they struggle to connect with their target audience? This insight into the rapidly evolving creator economy highlights the importance of having a relevant and memorable brand identity. One crucial component of this is the URL of your Shopify store. As we strive to build strong e-commerce brands, re-evaluating our store name and URL is vital for clarity and recognition. Have you ever wondered how a simple change in your store name URL could significantly shape your business's online presence?

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams and deepen connections with their audiences. This guide aims to delineate the steps for successfully changing your Shopify store name and URL, focusing on best practices and potential impacts on your brand’s online identity. By the end of this post, we will equip you with extensive knowledge of why and how to make these changes effectively, integrating all the features our Tevello app offers to enhance your e-commerce journey.

In this blog post, we will explore:

• The difference between your Shopify store name and URL
• Contexts in which you might want to make a change
• Steps to change your Shopify store name and URL
• Best practices for managing SEO during this transition
• Real-life case studies illustrating the impact of these changes

Whether you’re gearing up for a rebranding, launching a new product line, or simply desiring a fresh identity, let’s dive into all the essential knowledge you need to make this transition smooth and impactful!

Understanding Shopify Store Name vs. URL

Before we jump into the steps to change your store name and URL, it's essential to understand the distinctions between the two.

Shopify Store Name

Your store name is the title displayed on the front end of your Shopify store, visible to your customers. This plays a critical role in brand perception, marketing, and recognition. For instance, if you've named your store “Cozy Cotton Clothes,” this name will appear on your storefront, notifications, and anything customer-facing.

Shopify URL

In contrast, your Shopify URL (the one that appears in the web address) typically follows the format yourstorename.myshopify.com. This URL serves as an identifier for your store in the Shopify ecosystem. Although it's relevant to backend processes and store identification, your customers usually see a custom domain (like cozycottonclothes.com) that you can purchase to enhance professionalism and trustworthiness.

To sum up, while your store name reflects your brand identity, your URL identifies your store’s location on the web. An effective experience for your customers is best achieved when these two elements are cohesive and represent your current business goals.

Reasons for Changing Your Shopify Store Name or URL

Changing the name or URL of your Shopify store doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Various factors can prompt such a transformation, including:

1. Rebranding

One of the most significant reasons merchants choose to change their store name is rebranding. This often involves redefining what your brand stands for and ensuring that both your name and URL reflect that vision. A successful rebranding can breathe new life into stagnant sales and customer engagement.

2. Business Expansion

As your business grows, your product offerings may diversify beyond your original focus. For instance, a store initially set up to sell only skincare products might expand to include health supplements. In this scenario, retaining a narrow name could mislead customers, so a broader name change to reflect the new product line may be warranted.

3. Mergers or Acquisitions

If you acquire another business or merge with one, it may become necessary to alter your store name to integrate the two brands effectively. A unified identity can help present a coherent message to your combined customer base.

4. Misleading Store Names

If your current store name is ambiguous or misleading about what you offer, it can lead to confusion. Changing your store name to be more descriptive can help attract the right audience and improve your conversion rates.

Changing Your Shopify Store Name: Step-by-Step

Now that we’ve explored why you might want to make a change, let’s look at the specific steps to update your Shopify store name.

Step 1: Access Your Shopify Dashboard

• Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to your dashboard.

Step 2: Go to Settings

• On the left sidebar of your dashboard, scroll down and click on Settings at the bottom.

Step 3: Click on Store Details

• Next, select General under the Settings menu, where you will find the Store details section.

Step 4: Edit Your Store Name

• In the Store name field, replace your existing name with the new one you desire.

Step 5: Save Changes

• Don’t forget to click the Save button in the upper right corner to apply this change.

This change will be reflected in your store’s front end and notification emails sent to your customers.

Changing Your Shopify Store URL

Changing your Shopify store URL is a more complex process since this can typically only be done once. Here’s how to manage this change effectively.

Step 1: Navigate to Domains Settings

• From the Settings menu, click on Domains. Here is where you can handle all aspects of your store’s URL.

Step 2: Change Primary Domain

• Locate the option that states “Change to a new myshopify.com domain.” Click on this link.

Step 3: Enter Your New Domain Name

• Input your new desired Shopify URL (the myshopify.com URL). Remember that this action can only be performed once unless you create an entirely new Shopify store.

Step 4: Save Changes

• After confirming your entry, click Add domain and then save your settings.

Important Reminder

Always keep a note of your original myshopify.com URL as it’s required for logging into your store and contacting Shopify support for assistance.

Managing Your Custom Domain

As part of your new identity, you may also want to register a custom domain (e.g., cozycottonclothes.com). This step is crucial as it enhances your brand credibility. To set up a custom domain:

Step 1: Choose Your Custom Domain

• You can either buy one through Shopify, connect an existing domain, or transfer a domain from another provider via the Domains section.

Step 2: Follow Setup Instructions

• Depending on your choice, follow the necessary instructions to complete the connection. If you opt for a new purchase, Shopify will guide you through finding and securing your domain.

Step 3: Select Your Primary Domain

• Once connected, make sure to choose your new custom domain as the primary domain.

This final step ensures that customers will no longer see your original myshopify.com domain but instead access your upgraded URL.

SEO Considerations When Changing Your Store Name or URL

It’s crucial to manage SEO effectively when changing your Shopify store name and URL. The right steps can protect your search engine rankings and customer traffic.

Set Up 301 Redirects

To seamlessly guide existing customers to your new URL, implement 301 redirects. This process ensures anyone trying to visit your old domain will be redirected to the new one, thus preventing the loss of traffic and SEO link equity.

Update Backlinks

Check all backlinks pointing to your old URL. Whether they are social media mentions, partnerships, or blog posts, notify relevant parties of your new URL to maintain consistent traffic flow.

Optimize New Pages

Once your changes are live, take time to optimize the new pages with the right keywords. This includes title tags, meta descriptions, and content that resonate with your target audience.

Inform Google of Changes

Use Google Search Console to notify Google of your URL change. This can speed up the indexing of your new website and mitigate possible ranking drops.

Case Study: The Impact of Changing Your Shopify Store URL

Let’s consider a hypothetical example to illustrate the significance of this change. Imagine a Shopify merchant, Sarah, who operates an online store called “Sustainable Essentials” selling eco-friendly products. Initially, her URL was sustainableessentials.myshopify.com. After two years, she decided to expand her product line to include handmade goods, and the name now felt limiting.

After changing her Shopify store name to “Eco Chic Boutique” and her URL to ecochicboutique.com, Sarah also implemented a vibrant marketing campaign reflecting her new brand identity. The results were notable:

• 30% Increase in Traffic: By informing her audience about the rebranding and optimizing for the new URL, she saw a marked increase in visitors.
• Enhanced Brand Recognition: New customers felt more connected to her revamped identity.
• Improved SEO Performance: By following SEO best practices, her store even climbed the search results for eco-friendly products.

This case exemplifies the potential benefits of a thoughtful rebranding strategy, further demonstrating why Shopify merchants might consider a store name and URL change.

Conclusion

In closing, changing your Shopify store name and URL is a vital process that can align your online presence with your evolving business aspirations. From enhancing your brand identity to improving customer retention, the benefits are numerous when executed thoughtfully.

At Tevello, we are committed to providing you with the tools you need to maximize your opportunities in the digital marketplace. By enabling you to create, manage, and sell online courses and digital products, we make it easy for Shopify merchants to enhance their offerings and build strong communities around their brands.

If you’re ready to make that transformative change, we invite you to start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today! Additionally, take a moment to explore our powerful, all-in-one feature set for course creation, communities, and digital products, as well as learn about our simple, transparent, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees.

Now is the time to elevate your brand—let's embark on this journey together!

FAQ

1. Can I rename my Shopify store?

Yes, you can easily change your Shopify store name in your Shopify dashboard under Settings > General.

2. How do I change my Shopify URL?

To change your Shopify URL, navigate to Settings > Domains and click on “Change to a new myshopify.com domain.” Remember that you can change this only once.

3. Should I opt for a custom domain or stick with myshopify.com?

It's advisable to purchase a custom domain for your Shopify store. This enhances credibility and provides a clearer representation of your brand.

4. How can I protect my SEO during a name change?

Implement 301 redirects to manage traffic from your old URL to the new one effectively. Also, ensure you update all backlinks and optimize your new pages with relevant keywords.

5. What impact does the store name have on my branding?

Your store name is essential in shaping customer perceptions and brand recognition. An appropriate name that reflects your business ethos can significantly impact traffic and conversions.

Ready to elevate your Shopify experience? Install the all-in-one course platform for Shopify today!