How to Create a Compelling Name for an Ecommerce Startup in 5 Steps

Guest Author

This is a guest post from Grant Polachek at Squadhelp, a leading naming platform. 

So, you’ve come up with the best idea for your ecommerce startup and know just who you’ll market to. Now is the time to come up with a brand name to sum up your new venture and set it up for success. 

Whether your business is a B2B, B2C or C2C, a creative name matters—think of it as being like a magnet that people will gravitate toward. This is the time to carve out a unique identity for your company with a compelling name by following these simple steps.

1. Go with the biggest ideas first.

You’ll have a lot of general ideas, but begin by narrowing them down until you’re holding only the essentials of your brand. Think beyond the technical aspects of your business and instead focus on your brand’s story. Why did you get into business? Why does the world need your service or product? Using these key components, you can build your brand name—and your brand. 

Using a business name generator is perfect for this early step. It’s all about bringing your ideas into focus and thinking about your brand, which is what will really determine the name.

So, if you want to find the best name for your B2C online candy shop, don’t focus on the state-of-the-art equipment you use—although that might very well be a selling point. People want to know the brand’s essence. They’re more interested in hearing how you started the shop because you want your customers to enjoy the little things life has to offer. These details can lead you to a stellar name.

2. Watch the trends.

Focusing on your start-up’s uniqueness is a great source of naming inspiration, but it becomes more effective when you monitor trends happening in your industry. You need to understand what your competitors are doing, where the customers are going, and how you fill the white space in the market.

Two trends you should watch out for are:

  • Graphic design: You must have a basic understanding of how you can use graphics to boost your ecommerce business. In fact, 75% of customers base their decision on a business’s authenticity based on its overall looks.
  • Minimalism: Try to engage the minimalist trend in your ecommerce start-up. It gives customers a sense of dedication and commitment to their needs.

3. Set the right tone. 

Set yourself up for success by choosing the right tone for your brand. Tone means the general attitude or associations you want people to have with your brand. The tone needs to speak to the audience while appealing to your company’s aspirations. 

The best tone will create a foundation for your messaging while allowing you to control the way that people see your brand. 

Consider who your customers are and think about why your customers should be excited when they think about your brand. Why should they be attracted to your company? 

Also, look at your industry. What kinds of brands have your competitors come up with? How do you set yourself apart? This will allow you to create a brand which is both successful and unified. A few brand tones you might want to consider include:

  • Clever
  • Pragmatic
  • Modern
  • Emotional
  • Funny 

4. Brainstorm an idea.

Now that you’ve done the initial work to identify the type of feelings you want to convey to your customers, it’s time to start brainstorming. But don’t just jump into the name. Instead, start by brainstorming statements that sum up the message you want your business name to send. For instance, you might want a brand that focuses on creativity and community while being approachable and intriguing. 

Thinking about the key elements of your brand will let you focus the direction you are going. It can give you a point of reference when you are deciding on the right name. Be bold and unique, whether you are coming up with your own names or asking your friends. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Even if it doesn’t seem to work, you might be able to tweak it later and have a winning name for your new company. 

5. Spread the word by building trust.

Picking the perfect name for your ecommerce business is no good if nobody gets to hear about it. So you need to actively spread the word everywhere. The best way to spread the name of your ecommerce start-up is by sending unforgettable emails and automated email responses to potential businesses and customers.

It’s a lot more efficient to use an automated email service provider that’s integrated with your ecommerce startup. These services save you valuable business time—time that would otherwise be wasted writing personalized emails to every individual subscriber. You can also create emails that are more profitable, boost your rate of customer conversion, and provide all the necessary information you need to grow your customer base and grow your ecommerce business.

Another reason why an automated mailing system should be at the top of your list when it comes to spreading the word is that it doubles as a great platform for testing your brand name with an audience.

Wrap up

When you have the right brand name, you can avoid business failure and lost revenue, as well as missed opportunities. Putting thought into your name will prevent you from regretting your decision later on down the road. Creating your online ecommerce brand on a strong name will offer real-world benefits. Following these steps will help you create a business that will last for many years to come.

Grant Polachek is the Head of Branding at Inc 500 company Squadhelp.com, the world’s #1 naming platform, with 25,000+ customers from early-stage startups across the globe to the largest corporations including Nestle, Philips, Hilton, Pepsi, and AutoNation. Get inspired by exploring these winning business name ideas.