When people are getting ready to launch their new business, there are always lots of things to think about. This could be anything from stopping hackers from taking your phone hostage to using cloud-based technology. One of the most important decisions you'll need to make is what to call your company. Although this may seem like an easy decision at first, it's not so straightforward. If you choose wisely it will help promote your brand, but if you don't it could hold you back.
If you are currently looking for some expert tips on how to choose the right name for your business, read on because this article has the answers that you need.
What Is A Business Name?
A business name can be as simple as "John's Pizza" or as complicated as, "The Best-Ever Pasta and Pizzeria." A company’s brand identity is vital because this serves as its public face and it's how customers perceive your products and services.
Your logo design should also reflect who you are in both style and color. Once you've discovered a unique name for your company you need to get it legally registered. You may also need to get the logo trademarked so nobody else can steal it.
Use A Company Naming Service
There are lots of benefits to using one, including :
– They can help you avoid mistakes that might cost you money
– If your proposed business name is already taken, they will be able to tell you what the legal ramifications would be if you chose it anyway.
– They have access to industry-specific databases that reveal which names have been trademarked or copyrighted by other businesses in your field.
– They can provide expert tips on how best to market and promote your new brand identity
A naming service can help you with the entire branding process and they can also recommend a graphic designer to help you with your logo. Thanks to company naming services you can discover who is your target audience, how to appeal to new customers and how to position your business for new growth. They can help you create domain name visibility in search results, address trademark issues and give your company a brand new identity.
Consider The Name's Meaning
Think of what you want the business to achieve and how it fits into the market around you. You don’t always have to go with plain descriptive words like “accounting firm”, although they are great jumping-off points if nothing else comes up at first.
Remember that not all names work well in every language, so double-check this early on. Some words or phrases may translate easily in most languages across Europe and Asia but in some cultures, they may appear derogatory. Don't use any words with negative connotations or slang terms in your native tongue, either.
Avoid naming your business after yourself because this can make it seem like you don't want anyone else working with you. Use an online generator like KeywordTool to help you brainstorm ideas for business names.
Use Search Engine Optimization
Make sure your business name has the right keywords to target your customer base. This means that when people enter search words online for the products or services that you supply, you want your company name to appear high in the search results.
If necessary, ask an external company to help you optimize your website etc. You want to make sure you include keywords in your domain name too. There's no rule that says every word has to be capitalized, but it can help with SEO.
Make It Easy To Pronounce And Spell
Think about how often people will be using your business name, writing checks, on the phone etc. Keep it short and sweet so that people who are online have a better chance at finding you quickly and easily. Don't use any more than three words if possible; this way it will be easier for your customers to remember.
Avoid using numbers, punctuation marks, symbols or hyphens in your company name. Stay away from generic, common words like "marketing" or "solutions." There's no need to complicate matters with difficult-to-pronounce words or tongue twisters that aren't easy on the ear.
Be Mindful Of Your Rivals
Avoid using words that are too similar to other popular company names (e.g., Apple, Inc.). As we said before, make sure your domain is available before choosing it.
Research similar businesses in your area and make sure your company name stands out from the crowd by either being more creative or having something unique about it (e.g., special offers).
Make It Descriptive
Know your audience and consider what words you want people to associate with your brand. Consider including a word in the company name that describes what you do, e.g. "Cleaning Service" or "Pizza Delivery." If you choose a name that has some meaning behind it, it will help you stay motivated while running the business.
Consider what you want the focus of your business to be – eCommerce, consulting, etcetera. Check with the Better Business Bureau before finalizing the name of your new company to make sure it has no negative history attached to it.
Be Unique
Check if there are any other businesses with similar names already registered with the state or federal government before choosing one. Also check if there are any trademarks registered for your desired company name through Trademarkia's Free Basic Search Tool. You can check domain availability on websites like GoDaddy, NameCheap, and DreamHost.
Be creative! You want people to remember you when they see your business's name on social media posts, flyers, etc., so make them stand out. Avoid using personal names or company names from your previous careers and try not to use words like "inc" or "corp." Use an online thesaurus to find alternate words with similar meanings.
Hopefully, this has helped you to consider choosing your company name wisely. Whilst it will take you time and money, the initial investment could pay off in terms of establishing your company and brand both now and for the foreseeable future.
