Choosing the right name for your business has a bigger impact than most realize. Having a snappy and effective brand name gives you an immediate advantage because it’s easy for customers to remember and puts you on the path to success. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble coming up with that ideal name.
We’ve come up with 10 creative tips to come up with a business name.
1. Remember KISS – Keep It Short and Simple:
There are several reasons to choose a short and snappy name. These names are memorable, easy to say, and fit neatly into an online header. It’s a challenge to find a new and original business name with new brands launched each day. Luckily, it’s a wide world out there and there’s plenty of room for creativity. Try combining two short words – especially words that rhyme or start with the same letter – such as Snack Shack. You can even come up with your own word if you can’t think of the right one. Skype isn’t a real word but it’s a brand name we all recognize.
2. Be Different:
Do some market research and find the business names of your direct competitors. Aim for something different. The challenge is to create a name that fits the niche without being too like names that already exist. Electronics companies regularly use words like “Technology” or “Electronics” in their business names, for example. Find other words that suit a technology niche and stand out from the crowd.
3. Consider How it Looks Online:
When you have a list of potential business names, find out if the domain name has already been taken or not. It’s best to have a “.com” domain name, which could prove difficult given how popular it is. Even so, you need to have a custom domain name for the store. Don’t let the search for the perfect domain name consume though, as everything is open to change – even that “perfect” domain name. Be sure to give the decision some thought as the domain name should perfectly represent your brand on all levels. Once you have made your decision you can buy domain names online at sites such as Gandi for a reasonable price.
4. Be Creative with Your Domain Name:
Don’t worry if the perfect domain name is already taken. You can always use a different top-level domain. The reason that .com became the standard is it’s one everyone recognizes, but this doesn’t mean you are stuck with it. Other top-level-domains are becoming more commonplace. For example, the Tattly Shopify store launched with a .ly domain name as tatt.ly, which is a great example of creativity. Find fun and creative ways to use your domain name to create the ultimate business and website name.
5. Be Original:
You don’t want to find the perfect name only to learn that someone else already has it. You need a business name that you can legally use. American business owners can start by checking the United States Patent and Trademark office to see if the domain has been patented or not. Canadians can check the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Most countries have something similar. Be sure to verify that your business name is available. Don’t forget to check social media sites to see if the business name is also available there.
6. Find Some Extra Inspiration:
If you aren’t having any luck coming up with a business name, then think about themes you can apply. Maybe try to find a business name that sparks trends or nostalgic feelings. Consider using another language for the name. Inspiration comes from an untold number of sources. Open your ears to conversations around you and pay more attention to your surroundings.
7.Choose a Name that Sounds Good Spoken Out Loud:
As great as the name looks written down, maybe it doesn’t sound as good when spoken. Be sure to take a second to say the name out loud. It should also be spelled how it sounds or people will have trouble looking for it online.
8. Choose a Name with Meaning:
The ideal name is one that conveys something meaningful about the business. Does the name give people an idea of what you’re about? While some meaningless names such as “Yahoo” and “Google” earned recognition due to being so catchy, it costs more to brand and market those names.
9. Avoid Names that Are Hard to Spell:
You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where people can’t find your business online because they don’t know how to spell it. Brands that use a word with a letter missing, such as Flickr, somehow succeeded against the odds. You shouldn’t be constantly correcting common misspellings of your website name. Avoid overly complex names and keep things simple.
10. Don’t Choose a Limiting Name:
You want to choose a name that can grow with your business. Choosing a name that’s too narrow could cause potential problems in the future. For example, Amazon was almost “OnlineBooks,” a name that would have meant the website could only really sell books. Avoid using names with specific locations or items in them in case you want to expand in the future. Don’t let your chosen brand name limit you to a particular city or product.
Final Thoughts
Every business needs to have a great business name. Choosing one isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but there are several things you can do to make it a bit easier. Try to be creative about the name and choose one that won’t limit your potential growth. Choose a name that has some meaning or significance to you and is easy to remember. Choose a name that comes out of the mouth as fluidly as it comes out of the pen or keyboard.
Finally, don’t forget to check the name against existing business registries such as the Patent Office. You need a unique name above all. Make sure that no one else has had the same great idea as you.
