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Need help coming up with a name for online marketplace

by baileybliss
10 replies
Hey folks -

First off, sorry if I've posted in the wrong area.

I'm in the process of setting up an online marketplace that would be a direct competitor to Etsy, but on a much smaller, controllable scale. A lot of people are unhappy with the amount of resellers/wholesalers/people who don't make their own stuff and the lack of stance that Etsy has(n't) taken regarding the issue.

A lot of people are also unhappy with the sloppy morals of PayPal (I'm sure most of you feel the same way) and are looking for other alternatives to pay for the things they buy online.

Essentially, I'd like to take the good parts of Etsy and fix the parts that people don't like and create a small community that legitimately follows the creed of "handmade only". I'm taking measures to ensure that I can control the growth of the community so that I don't face the same problem that Etsy has with resellers and spammers.

My biggest hurdle is coming up with a name. This whole project is very important to me and is more than just a money-making idea - I truly want to foster a successful, small community of artists that don't have to compete with Walmart pricing from resellers. Thus, it's been very hard to just pick a name and go with it.

So, after all of this rambling, my question is: what names do you like for an online marketplace? I'm looking for something kind of quirky and easy to remember (i.e., not too terribly long or too many syllables). Any ideas are welcome.

Thank you!
#coming #ecommerce #etsy #handmade #marketplace #online #online marketplace
  • Profile picture of the author robestrong
    I can't think of a better place to post this.

    In regards to your question, I would go with something related to your topic (ie an EMD about handmade crafty items or something along those lines). You don't have to come up with a web 2.0 name for your site right off the bat, indeed, choosing an EMD can:

    A) Be changed
    B) Is easier for people to remember than something like Etsy
    C) Gives you SERPs benefits.
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    • Profile picture of the author wenzel777
      Hey Baileybliss,

      Great post! I have a lot of experience with branding...(I've been a professional copywriter for the last 5 years), and I might have a little advice. You need to get on a domain registrar's website and start typing as many fun word combinations as you can. The one word domains are non-existent unless you make up something short and fun (and unfortunately, many of those are taken as well). I think of arts & crafts (check out craftsy. c o m ...they found a way to promote their business w/ a fun, unique name). Make sure to keep your target consumer in mind. Research some of the common "craft world" lingo. Start doing some google searches and keyword research & find some great keywords related to your audience. They'll inspire you to come up with some funky names. Think of some of the biggest communities already online. Jump on some forums & see what things other people are saying. Attend some craft shows in the area. I think for a big start up, it's almost necessary to come up with a domain/company name that is very short and memorable, but most of all...you need to find your inspiration. Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author virtu
        Originally Posted by wenzel777 View Post

        Hey Baileybliss,

        Great post! I have a lot of experience with branding...(I've been a professional copywriter for the last 5 years), and I might have a little advice. You need to get on a domain registrar's website and start typing as many fun word combinations as you can. The one word domains are non-existent unless you make up something short and fun (and unfortunately, many of those are taken as well). I think of arts & crafts (check out craftsy. c o m ...they found a way to promote their business w/ a fun, unique name). Make sure to keep your target consumer in mind. Research some of the common "craft world" lingo. Start doing some google searches and keyword research & find some great keywords related to your audience. They'll inspire you to come up with some funky names. Think of some of the biggest communities already online. Jump on some forums & see what things other people are saying. Attend some craft shows in the area. I think for a big start up, it's almost necessary to come up with a domain/company name that is very short and memorable, but most of all...you need to find your inspiration. Good luck!
        I agree with that. An idea if you need to seed : ukir
        that's means hand-craft job in java language
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  • Profile picture of the author John J M
    Word combinations seem to catch on really quick... "facebook," "myspace," "pinterest," etc. At the same time, I think something short is better for longevity. It might not be great in search engine results at first, like handmadecrafts.com might be, but once you get a following, it's unique and easier for people to remember.

    I can't think of anything in particular. But I'd say try for 5 letters or less. If I was making a site like yours, that's what I'd go for...something unique, maybe even a made up word. Just check that it isn't slang for anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author silyavski
    1.Before choosing a name , learn what stop words are.

    2.Find the list of the 3 letter words. And later the 4 letter words.

    3.You need a bit more general word if you will work hard on this web.

    4.You can Stretch a known word and make an unique word.

    5.The word should be easy spell-able and easy to remember in conversation.

    6.Don't choose a name without prior keyword research if you have a keyword in the name

    7. Don't waste too much time and energy there. Start building and later transfer.

    8. Choose a word that has the com, info, net y org available, otherwise you will be sorry in the long run, if you are building a serious site. Buy this 4 together.

    9. When you have the word and you are absolutely sure that this is it , don't register it for 3 more days, let it rest. No body will steal it if they haven't found till now. And you can have another more brilliant idea by the way, when your brain is rested.

    10. Don't buy any special offer, function or whatever at the moment of buying the domain

    11. But not last: At any given step check if there is a TM /trademark/ Very important!

    Ps: Nothing wrong with good 2 or even 3 word domain, if its on the point, keyword optimized and most of all meaningful for your purpose.

    I hope it helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author silyavski
    Just added the trademark check, cause i forgot it and is very important.
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    • Profile picture of the author baileybliss
      Thank you @silyavski for your info - this is great stuff to think about when going about this process. I would have skipped over the trademark issue and most likely found myself in a heap of legal issues just as I was getting off the ground.

      Thanks again to everyone who responded to this thread!
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      • Profile picture of the author silyavski
        Today found a very nice tool at http://who.is/domain-suggestions/
        It has some options, so be sure to check them correctly for best results.

        I was really surprised as i found via using it for 1 min 2 .com domains with nicely ordered keywords which interest me that otherwise would have escaped my attention.
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  • Profile picture of the author prismkuet
    Very good thinking. If you can establish one, it will be a big milestone. For name, it's better to chose some easy or even interesting name that people can remember. A word with a good meaning but not familiar should not be the choice.
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