Changing Your Name or Username Online
This post is really for the ladies who may need to change their name online over their lifetimes. Men too can change their names – it’s a matter of going to probate court here in the Unites States. This is not an easy task if you are online with usernames but it can be done. I’m still in the process of changing mine.
It is also a great reminder for anyone when setting up email names and / or social network accounts. Think about your username carefully! Some websites / networks you cannot change your name or the URL you originally started with!
Which Networks Make It Hard Changing Your Name?
Google Plus - For some reason you cannot change the URL of your Google Plus Profile URL. I could change my last name but NOT the URL. I found this quite frustrating. SO maybe use something else for your URL if you have not yet joined Google Plus.
Facebook – The biggest social network was probably the easiest to change but one thing to beware of – Your Facebook URL will be changed and if you used any posts from Facebook, the links will be broken. An easy fix though here on WordPress.
LinkedIn – LinkedIn was simple like Facebook and the URL was the same way. You must change the URL of any links you have pointing to it after changing your profile name.
GMail - A difficult one! You cannot change your gmail account but you can start another. The only problem I really have with this is the Google Plus, I didn’t want to start another Google Plus account and I don’t think I will. I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through this one for their email, etc.
Instagram – I have not changed my username yet on this site but did change up the profile. I had a concern if I would loser followers by doing that. More research is needed before I attempt to change it if it is available.
Where Else Should Your Name Be Changed Online?
Emails – If you change your email address and change them on the social networks be sure to verify your new email address when the emails pop in.
Bookmarking Sites and Other Networking Places – I have not yet delved into all of these but places like Broaded.net, Klout, Empire Avenue, Blog Her, etc. just to name a few places that your name should also be changed.
Name Change Starts Conversations
I can’t tell you how many interesting converstions came about from my recent name change, in person, at work and online. Some people thought I remarried, others didn’t know what to make of it. One customer actually called me to be sure it was my voice, the Lisa that they knew. Another emailed me, “I don’t mean to ask a personal question but why the name change?” I wrote back “Well, I am a person and it’s okay to get personal with me” and then I went on to explain that I had gotten divorced a year earlier but hadn’t the time to change the name til after my mom’s passing and getting things in order to do it. I had been putting off knowing how much work it would be offline and online to make the change.
Have you had to change your name? How did you go about it?
Or did you change a username when you changed your blogs or website’s name?
Lisa
Lisa loves helping others to thrive online through Social Media, Blogging and SEO. What good is knowledge if you cannot share it with others?She has 20+ years experience in marketing/advertising with 4 years experience blogging, social media and SEO. Get her new eBook Tweeting Like It's 2nd Nature Today!
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