Introduction:
Choosing a name for your business can be difficult, but it does not have to be. There are many steps that you should take before settling on the name of your company. The name needs to represent what you want the business to stand for and who you are as an individual or a company. This article will talk about those steps so that you can choose the perfect name!
Consider what your business does, who it serves, and where it operates
The name of a business can reflect what it does and who it serves. For example, if you are selling dog treats then naming your company "Dog Treats" would be appropriate. Alternatively, if you're trying to sell more generic products like paper towels and expect customers from anywhere in the world; "International Supply Co." could be an excellent name choice for you since this name implies general supply and the international aspect of your business! As another alternative consider naming your company after yourself (e.g., John's Paper Towels). This is common especially among small family owned businesses with one owner such as restaurants, auto repair shops etc.. It may also help you with name recognition if you ever decide to expand into other markets.
What about naming a business after a place? This is common among restaurants and in retail where the name of the place usually refers directly to what they do such as Manic Mango (a nail salon) or Johnny's Take-Out. Other examples include "The Cupboard" which is an old fashioned general store, or even London Bridge Trading Company that sells products from around the world! It doesn't have to be named for a physical location though; Gourmet Gallery isn't located anywhere specific but implies deliciousness all the same. As always there are exceptions so don't feel confined by these suggestions - some businesses choose names based on abstract instead like The Gap which represents the space between two objects. Try to name your business using the five w's: who, what, where, when and how!
Choose a name that's easy to spell and pronounce
Make sure people can spell and pronounce your name correctly. This will help increase name recognition whether you're selling products online or in a physical location. When possible avoid using symbols, numbers, initials etc.. that don't translate well to the written word such as O'Neill's Pub which is difficult to read out loud! Also try not to name it after yourself especially if your name is hard to understand (e.g., Smith Woodworking).
If you think about it there are only 26 letters in the English alphabet so most words can be spelled with this limited number of letters. If you name your business something like "Piñatas" or "Pies n' Thighs" then people are going to have a hard time spelling it correctly. Instead consider names that use all five vowels such as My Favorite Muffin Company which is much easier to read and say out loud than Big Jim's Cookies!
This also applies if you're operating online where customers can't hear the name being pronounced - try not to use random symbols, numbers, or apostrophes that don't translate well in text form (e.g., G@mewatchus). This will make things difficult for both search engine bots and customer alike who may end up misspelling your name in their search. It would be even worse if they thought your website was spam or a phishing site so avoid using symbols that look like other things (e.g., "G" looks a lot like lowercase cursive "o", which could easily lead people to type Google instead of Gourmet Gallery).
A great example of this is "Green Door Inn" versus something like the "Indigo Platypus". Everyone can spell and pronounce "Green Door Inn" easily even if they don't know what it means (which is a mystery in itself). The name "Indigo Platypus" on the other hand is much more difficult to understand and spell.
Ensure that the name is available on social media and with your domain registrar
It is important to make sure that the name you are considering using for your business is free and available. It is important to make sure the name is not a name that is already registered, as name-squatting can cause headaches for your business. It’s also important to make sure any social media handles you may want to use are available.
Try checking popular domain registration websites like Namecheap, Godaddy, Name.com, and name checker online to see if your name is available. You can also use social media handles like Facebook or Twitter name checkers to see if the name is available on social media.
Avoid using words from other languages that may be difficult to translate or
I advise caution when using names from other languages. Although these names can be cool and have cultural significance, they can also be difficult to pronounce, remember, or even find on a search engine. In the name of your business name, brand name, etc., it is best to use English rather than words that may not translate well into your language.
Your business name is one of the few pieces of information that it is imperative for customers to remember and find. It is also a name that you will have for however long your business endures, so it needs to be unique and memorable, but not too unique that it is difficult to spell or pronounce.
Consider the stylistic appearance of the name itself
It is important to think about how the name itself looks. This name will appear on marketing material, signs and so forth. It should be easy to read from a distance as well because it will likely appear on road signage.
The name is one of the most important aspects when trying to establish your brand or business name. Font and other stylistic considerations like the length of the name and symmetry need to be considered. The name and its appearance are a direct reflection of your brand to your potential customers.
Conclusion
Choosing a name for your business is one of the most important steps in starting up. It needs to represent what you want the company to stand for and who you are as an individual or a company, so take some time and think about it carefully before settling on anything. This article has given you all of the information that you need to know in order to choose just the right moniker for your new venture! Do any of these creative names inspire you? What other types of ideas do people come up with when they decide on their own business name? Share below!
