I'm launching three separate ecom stores over the next year (home goods, pet accessories, and a niche outdoor gear shop). I want to form one LLC to hold all of them, but I'm stuck on a name. Should the LLC be generic enough to cover anything, or should it lean into one niche? Any advice on not boxing myself in?
Ecommerce
Trying to name an LLC for several ecommerce projects
Go generic. You can always DBA later. Name it after something you like, not a product category. I used a random worid + 'ventures' and it’s been fine.
Honestly, 'ventures' sounds like a holding company that does nothing. If you want customers to trust the brand, maybe keep the LLC name separate from the storefronts.
I named my LLC ater my dog. Zero regrets. Customers never see it anyway.
Wait, you have three totally different niches under one LLC? That’s a lot of bookkeeping. I’d consider separate LLCs for liability reasons, but that’s just me.
Yeah, I thought about separate LLCs but the yearly fees add up. One LLC with DBAs seems simpler for now. But maybe I’m underestimating the admin.
Name it something boring and un-Googleable. Like 'Apex Commerce Holdings'. Nobody cares, and you avoid trademark drama. Boring is safe.
Apex Commerce Holdings is probably already taken in Delaware. Check the secretary of state database before you fall in love with a name.
also avoid anything that sounds like a real word if you want the .com. I spent two weeks trying to get a domain that wasn’t $4k.
Just use your initials + 'LLC'. Done. Next question.
If you go generic, make sure it doesn’t accidentally describe one of the products. I once named an LLC 'Fresh Pet Supplies' and then tried to sell furniture. It was was awkward.
That’s my fear. I want something neutral like 'Northstar Goods' but that might be to vague for a bank account? Not sure if banks care.
Banks don’t care as long as the paperwork matches. Pick a name that’s easy to spell over the phone. i learned that the hard way with 'Phyreflye LLC'.
I’d lean into one niche for the LLC name and use DBAs for the others. Makes the parent company feel intentional. But honestly, it’s not a life sentence — you can always change it later if it’s not working
Changing an LLC name later is a pain though. New EIN, new bank accounts, new everything. So maybe don’t overthink it but but also don’t pick something dumb.
This thread is just people arguing about names names. OP, just pick something and move on. The stores matter more than the LLC name.