A business name is something that you want to hold on to for a long time. It has to be as short as possible, memorable, and brandable to leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
There are other factors that contribute to a great business name aside from the ones I have mentioned above. Let’s go through them one by one in this article.
1. Check Domain Name Availability
Before deciding on a business name, ensure that the domain name for it is available. This is useful to expand your business by putting it online. More people from your target audience will be able to reach your products and services through the search engine, which will eventually help with sales.
You can do this by using a domain name search tool. Type in the domain name that corresponds to the business name you have in mind, and it will tell you if other websites already took the name.
2. Reflect the Brand Identity
Picking a name that best represents your business is essential. When the customers see it, it has to give them a clue what the business does and provides. It can also represent the company’s values, which may help with building trust in customers.
Before deciding on a name, identify the factors that create the brand identity. These include the target audience and the problems you can solve with your product or service. From there, you can brainstorm a list of names that relate to your brand identity.
3. Trademark the Name
When you have found the perfect name for the business, you may want to protect it by registering a trademark. This prevents competitors from using a similar name, confusing the customers and leading them away from your business. A trademark also protects the customers from malicious competitors who create counterfeit products.
To register a trademark, check the USPTO trademark database to see if anyone else had applied for the same business name. If you live outside of the United States, you will need to use an attorney with a license to practice law in the US. Then, submit your application and cooperate with the USPTO-assigned attorney until you receive approval of the trademark.
4. Make It Simple and Unique
Make sure to use simple and unique names for the business, as they are easier to remember and better for SEO. Using long, descriptive words may bury you in search pages since many competitors will already use the exact keywords.
You can use a business name generator and mix and match the ideas to create a unique name. For example, Netflix is a mashup from ‘internet flicks.’ You can also use a regular word and omit letters to make a unique brand, like Tumblr.
5. Use Easy Pronunciation
If the business name is easy to say and spell, it may make it easier for people to remember. Be sure to use a word that rolls off the tongue, as it’s essential to drive new customers to remember your business.
While it’s great to mash up words to create a unique name, you want it to sound good when said aloud. For example, GotVMail changed their name to Grasshopper because announcers found it hard to pronounce in radio advertisements.
You also want to avoid names that sound like a tongue-twister and opt for something that rhymes instead, like Coca-Cola or Jimmy John’s. Using phrases that rhyme is proven to increase memorability.
6. Avoid Similar Names
There may be competitors out there who have used the desired name for your business. While it is tempting to use something similar, you might get into legal complications if the competitors have trademarked the name.
Not only that but having similar names with competitors can confuse the target audience. They might search and stumble on the competitors instead of you. To prevent this, you can check USPTO’s trademark database we mentioned earlier or search for the name you wish to use. If something similar comes up, consider using other options.
7. Include Keywords
Using keywords in a business name can boost a business’ rank in search engines. That way, you will reach out to more target audiences who need your products or services.
Use Google AdWords to find keywords of your niche that people use to search on Google, then include one of them in the name to boost online presence. For example, if you own a flower shop, naming it Petals and Roses may be better than simply using Petals as the business name.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to choose a name that will represent your business in the long run. Changing an established name may confuse the audience, so you have to be sure before deciding.
I have listed the factors that may contribute to a great business name, all there’s left to do is pick up a pen and paper and start brainstorming. Good luck, if there are any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.