Naming your business can be a nightmare. The journey from what you thought could work, to what you end up using, can be a nail-biting, hair-pulling nightmare. These rules make it easier for you. |
DO:
- Use real words / combinations of real words.
- Reinforce your business offering.
- Remind your customers of your business when they hear/read your business name.
- Make it appealing to your customer demographic.
- Make it easy to spell, pronounce, and remember.
- Try for unique & unforgettable (sticky), but still making sense.
- Make it meaningful for your audience, not just for you.
- Consider a name that lends itself to wordplay.
- Try to give a clue to what your business does.
- Go for positive connotations, something pleasant & uplifting.
- Keep it simple and short.
- Play with phrases.
- Consider a visual element.
DON'T
- Get friends & family involved; rather ask potential clients.
- Pick a long, confusing name.
- Use obscure puns.
- Add an adjective to a noun - it ends up being awkward.
- Use a vanilla term like "General" or "Regional".
- Use your city / state / region.
- Include over-used terms like "Best" or "Peak", etc.
- Pick an obscure word or term that is hard to spell or relate to.
- Use awkwardly constructed terms.
- Keep a name that does not work for your business.
- Use acronyms, numbers, or initials.
- Try for unusual spelling of common words.
- Use hyphens or special characters.
- Create a trendy name (which will become dated soon).
- Copy an existing business name.
- Name your business after yourself (unless you're famous in your field already).
Make a short-list of 3 to 5 business names
- Try them out on potential investors or clients.
- Practice using them in conversation & print.
Check that the domain names are available
- Make sure the domain names are available - you want your company name and internet domain name to be the same, else it gets confusing for your clients.
- Favour common suffixes, like .com.
Make your final decision
Which one best matches your business objectives? Register that one!
The most fabulous business name is no good without a business plan - get yours here.
The most fabulous business name is no good without a business plan - get yours here.