When it comes to business, naming your company can be a stressful time. The perfect name can sometimes be the difference between success and failure. It can have a huge impact on your success, however, it can also result in legal issues and problems.

But how can you stand out from the crowd and choose the perfect business name? What things should you avoid when naming your business? Well, in this article you will find the best tips and guidance, helping you to get those creative juices flowing.

Things To Think About When Naming a Business

Picking a name for your company can be overwhelming. Where do you even start? Below we have listed some things you should consider.

Catchy name.

Easier said than done, we know. But try not to pick a boring name, as well as something not too ‘out there’. Your staff should be able to say where they work without hesitation as well as being able to stick in the minds of customers.

Get feedback.

After deciding on a draft of names, try them out on some family and friends. See what they think of your ideas and if they have any improvements. They might be able to spot things from another perspective or have some ideas you may have missed.

How does the name sound when said out loud?

Make sure you say your name out loud, a lot. Think about when your brand name is spoken on the radio, tv or even in conversations. It needs to sound good. Alliteration is good in this instance because it rolls off the tongue well, think of Coca Cola.

Research.

After deciding on a shortlist of possible names, try searching them online and see what comes up. Sometimes, you may find similar names or news articles that could conflict with your idea. This will help to prevent troubles and give you a better understanding of your shortlist potential.

Try Google AdWords.

On Google AdWords, there is a feature called the “find keywords” tool. Here, you can check for similar phrases to yours, seeing what is being searched. Also, you can see the number of local and global searches, so you can tailor your name to keyword rankings.

Brainstorm.

So, you know your product or service and what your message is. Great. Now you want your company name to reflect this. We recommend some time to brainstorm the ideas. Create a list, make it as random as possible using words that link to your industry, products or services. Think about the benefits your company offers.

Use online resources.

For some help with brainstorming, you can use these websites such as Shopify Business Name Generator that generates business name ideas, as well as checking to see if the domain name is available. NameMesh is another good tool that has a startup company name generator.

Trademarking the name.

You may have intentions of making your company a worldwide, global brand. If this is you, maybe check to see if your company name needs trademarking. This will avoid trouble further down the line.

Secure the .com domain.

Many businesses would recommend that you get the .com domain, rather than having to use other options such as .store or .net. Customers will be more likely to recognise an established business when it has a .com domain.

Combination tricks.

By combining a couple of words that are important to your business, you can create a cool blend that both sounds good and conveys what you do. Think about Netflix, the mix of “internet” and “flicks”. This can be a useful tool for making a short, snappy, good sounding name.

Using a name that has meaning.

Companies have a trick of using a name that when you hear, you know right away what it is. It shouldn’t be hard for customers to know what your brand is, so make it easier for them.

Be happy with your choice.

Just think, this name will be used for a long time, so you have to live with it. Changing the name frequently can look unprofessional, as well as customers being confused at your company. Take time to ensure you’re happy with the decision at the beginning.

Think exotic.

Sometimes, the name you want is taken. This can be frustrating. Instead, think of it as an opportunity. Try searching the Latin and Greek of your name, or even other foreign words. You never know, some good ideas could be lurking in a place you never thought about. Just make sure the translation is correct, otherwise, it could look embarrassing.

Things To Avoid When Naming A Business

So, we’ve listed things that you should do, now we want to focus on things to avoid. There are many obstacles to stay away from when naming a brand and these tips will give you the best advice.

Stay away from initials.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as IBM, however, they have been around for decades and are multibillion-dollar companies. Initials can be tricky for website names as well as advertising. We recommend trying to avoid these.

Think about future growth.

Just imagine if Amazon was called “BooksOnline”. They would have narrowed down what they can sell, so limit the potential growth of their business. Try to stray away from using a location too, you might become a worldwide business!

Avoid difficult words to spell.

The last thing you want is customers struggling to find your company name because it is hard to spell. Finding your business online should be easy, so try and make a name that doesn’t require continual correcting when searching online. Just keep it basic and easy for potential customers.

Don’t jump on trends.

Of course, a new trend could be your business product, that’s fine. But trends change and evolve, you want your company to do the same. What happens when this latest trend goes out of fashion? You’re stuck with the name and limit your growth.

Plain words may be a bad choice.

If you want to stand out from other companies in your market, plain words can make it a challenge. Think about a t-shirt design company, naming your brand manytshirtdesgins or Good Tee Shirt designs isn’t memorable or unique. Remember, there is a chance you may expand to sell other things, so have this in mind too. With so many in your sector, standing out is key.

Having a committee decide.

Having your family and friends trying to help you find the perfect name can sometimes work great. However, at times, it can fail. Someone might be very passionate about an idea, but you know deep down it isn’t going to work. They might become upset and disappointed you didn’t pick it, or worse, you feel bad and go with it, at the expense of your company. It may also lead to a very plain name to just make everyone happy. Instead, use a small group of people who understand you and your business.

First impressions are vital.

Some say that first impressions are the most important part of a business. This can make or break your idea. So, choosing a name that doesn’t give a bad first impression is crucial. You want to give off the impression that you’re a trustworthy company, with values and purpose. ‘Hump it and dump it’ for example may give off the wrong idea for a removal company.

Being too generic.

In the business world, there are so many companies with names such as ABC Technologies or 123 Services. If you plan on something similar, how will you stand out and how can customers tell exactly what industry you are in? Having a name that is too generic can make consumers easily overlook your business as it sounds the same as all the others.

Names that are too long for social media.

Having a marketing strategy is advised when creating a business, this involves having identical social media handles, making your company easier to find by consumers, as well as more professional looking. If your business name is too long to be a handle on the big social media platforms, then it needs changing or adjusting to fit. Roughly 15 characters are the limit for most channels.

Using your name isn’t suggested.

Do you want your real name associated with your business forever? I doubt it, as it can be very risky. For example, unfortunately, some names are shared with people that aren’t looked upon nicely. Branding experts advise against naming your company after yourself as you may be painting yourself in a corner regarding expansion and overall success. If your business falters, you do not want your name associated with failure

Creative spelling.

Thinking outside the box and trying to spell the name creatively can be a huge mistake. You’ll keep having to spell it out each time you say the name. This is because the name isn’t spelt how people hear it. Customers may become confused and it could cause issues for potential customers searching for your business.