changing a shop name?

[Former_Member]

Hi All,

When I signed up for Etsy I hadn't planned on using it for selling. Now I am hearing all kinds of stuff about the importance of a shops name. I don't have too much activity on this account, so it wouldn't be so awful to change it.

Does anyone have any experience with this. Right now, mine is just my name. I am also a writer, so I am not sure that I want to connect the two...

Still trying to figure it out. Any advice would be appreciated!

[ZanyZebraDesigns]

Honestly, if you can change it I would. IMO using a shop name is better advertising all the time. I think people are more likely to remember a shop name than a person's name. Better now than later when you've got more history behind you. ;o)

[Former_Member]

You're not allowed to change your shop name. You would have to open a new shop.

[Former_Member]

I just changed my shop name by moving all of my yarn and plantable paper items to a new shop http://www.ThoughtfulGemsCrafts.etsy.com from my original shop http://www.craftsinbloomshop.etsy.com. As I agree with delightfulprints that you are not allowed to actually change your shop name, you can open a new shop, notify your existing customers from your original shop, list your items in the new shi\op and deactivate your listings in your original shop. The cons are that all of your feedback, hearts/favorites and sales numbers are associated with your original shop. It is almost like starting over again, but you do have an existing customer base that will follow you. It was a hard choice for me since I am new, but the original name was not my first choice. The new name coincides with my actual business name. Also, I just started listing items in my other shop, www.ThoughtfulGems.etsy.com. For me it was worth having consistent names. I just made the change. I hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for your responses. I should have been more clear, since I know that I can't change my shop name, I meant to ask "should I start all over?"

I appreciate the input!

Christine

[ZanyZebraDesigns]

I just peeked at your shop and you've only got 6 people who favorite'd you so if you want to start over do it now. You can convo them and tell the about the move - hopefully they'll favorite you again. If they're EE peeps I'm sure they will. :o)

[Former_Member]

yes, that's why I think I have to name my shop now. I have been selling mostly through my website until now, but I'm bumping it up a notch!

I will decide this weekend what to name it and inform all my buddies!

Thanks so much.