Selecting a name for your business is an important decision, as it can have a significant impact on how your customers perceive your brand. Here are some steps you can take to help you choose the right name for your business:
- Consider your brand identity: Think about the image you want to project for your business. What do you want customers to think of when they hear your name? What values or qualities do you want to convey?
- Brainstorm: Get creative and come up with a list of potential names that reflect your brand identity. Consider using a thesaurus to find synonyms and related words to help you generate ideas.
- Make it easy to remember and spell: Choose a name that is easy to remember and spell. Avoid names that are too long or complicated, as they may be difficult for customers to remember or type correctly when searching for your business online.
- Check for availability: Once you have a list of potential names, check to see if they are available as a domain name, social media handles, and trademark. You want to make sure that you can use the name legally and that it’s not already taken by another business.
- Get feedback: Share your top name choices with friends, family, and colleagues to get feedback. They may have insights or perspectives that you haven’t considered.
- Finalize your decision: Choose the name that best fits your brand identity, is easy to remember and spell, and is available for use. Once you have decided, register the name with your local government and purchase the domain name to secure your online presence.
Remember, your business name will be with you for a long time, so take the time to choose a name that you feel good about and that will represent your brand well.
Consider your brand identity:
When considering your brand identity, you should think about the values, personality, and image you want your business to convey. This includes your business mission, target audience, and unique selling proposition. Here are some questions to help you define your brand identity:
- What is your business mission? What do you want to achieve and what problems do you want to solve for your customers?
- Who is your target audience? Who are the people you want to serve, and what are their needs, wants, and preferences?
- What is your unique selling proposition? What makes your business stand out from your competitors, and what are the benefits that you offer to your customers?
- What are your brand values? What principles and beliefs do you want your business to embody, and how do you want to make an impact in your community or industry?
- What is your brand personality? How would you describe your business if it were a person? Is it fun and playful, serious and professional, or somewhere in between?
By understanding your brand identity, you can choose a business name that reflects your values, personality, and unique selling proposition. Your brand identity can also help you develop your brand messaging and marketing strategy, so take the time to define it clearly and intentionally.
Brainstorm:
When brainstorming for your business name, consider the following tips:
- Start with a word or phrase that represents your brand identity, mission, or product/service.
- Use a thesaurus to find related words, synonyms, or adjectives that describe your brand.
- Play with puns or wordplay that relate to your brand or industry.
- Think about incorporating your name or initials into the business name, especially if you are a personal brand or small business.
- Consider combining two words or concepts to create a unique and memorable name.
- Look at your competitors’ names and try to differentiate yourself by choosing a name that stands out.
- Think about the future and choose a name that will still be relevant and appropriate as your business grows and evolves.
Here are some examples of popular business names that were created through brainstorming:
- Airbnb: “Air” represents the global reach of the platform, while “bnb” stands for “bed and breakfast.”
- Nike: Named after the Greek goddess of victory, reflecting the brand’s focus on sports and athleticism.
- Google: A play on the word “googol,” meaning the number 1 followed by 100 zeros, reflecting the vast amount of information that the search engine can provide.
Remember, brainstorming can take time and creativity, so don’t rush the process. Once you have a list of potential names, narrow down your choices and seek feedback from others before making a final decision.
Check for availability:
After you have brainstormed some potential business names, it’s important to check their availability before you make a final decision. Here are some steps to follow:
- Check for domain name availability: Go to a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, and enter each of your potential business names to see if the domain name is available. Ideally, you want to choose a name that has an available “.com” domain name, as this is the most commonly used and recognized domain extension.
- Check for social media handle availability: Search social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to see if your potential business names are available as handles. Having consistent handles across all social media platforms can help with brand recognition and make it easier for customers to find you online.
- Check for trademark availability: Conduct a trademark search to ensure that your potential business names are not already registered trademarks of other businesses. This can prevent legal issues down the line and help you avoid confusion with other brands.
- Check for local business name availability: Check with your state or local government to see if your potential business names are already registered by other businesses in your area. You want to avoid having the same or similar business name as another local business to prevent confusion for customers.
By checking for availability, you can ensure that you are legally able to use your chosen business name and that you can secure the necessary domain names and social media handles. If your top choices are not available, go back to your brainstorming list and try again until you find a name that is both meaningful and available.