What Should I Name my Small Business?

If you’ve recently decided to start your own business, you probably have stumbled onto your first problem.

What should I name my business?

It’s actually one of the biggest questions you’ll encounter during the life of your business because it can stifle or launch your business into being a household name.

Your business name will define your brand so it’s important to spend some time contemplating the best name that aligns with your customers and values.

According to Business Insider, there are five things all great company names have in common.

You’ll want to choose a name that is memorable, short, functional, tells a story, and may even be a made-up word.

To take things a step further, Jennifer Post at Business News Daily recommends these tips to keep in mind when choosing a business name.

Pick a name that reflects your customer’s priorities.
Don’t go with a trendy name. Select a name that works today and will still be relevant twenty years from now. Also, be sure to select a name that rolls off the tongue.
Simple
Relevant
Connects to your mission
Scalable
Digitally available
Universal

There are many ways to get inspiration and ideas for a business name and I’ve got a few tips to help you with the process.

What name should you pick for your startup or small business? You might be thinking of a clever name that's catchy and stands out, but you should also keep in mind that the name is something people will be saying and hearing on a regular basis.

Be sure to choose a name that will be memorable and one that won't leave people scratching their heads when they hear it.

Keep these tips in mind when brainstorming cool names for your new business!

1. Choose a name that is easy to pronounce and spell

Sometimes, your first idea of what to call your business may not be the most appropriate name for it. It may be too similar to another product or company, or it might sound like an unpleasant word in another language. Have some fun with brainstorming names by doing this activity:

- Write down your list of words or phrases that represent what you do.

- Make a list of 10 words that start with each letter of the alphabet.

- For each word, check if it's used somewhere else by typing it into Google.

- Replace any words that are taken with something else.

- You have now created a list of words that are unique to your company!

- You can use combinations of these words to create a business name or even try a business name generator:

2. Make sure it's not too long or too short

Luxe is a great example of a name that is memorable and easy to pronounce, but it's also only four letters long.

3. Don’t choose a name with negative connotations

Consider if the name has any negative connotations, like being associated with a company you don't want to be associated with (like "Toyota") .

If you want to avoid sounding like a company with a bad reputation, you should consider if the name has any negative connotations. For example, many people would not want their company's name to be associated with Toyota because of the 2011 recall that they had.

References: https://www.inc.com/suzanne-venker/8-ways-to-make-your-companys-name-stand-out.html

4. Avoid using numbers in your company's name

Numbers in business names are difficult for people to remember. This is because most people don't use numbers when they're speaking, and most people don't know how to say the number they're thinking of. For example, they might think about their favorite number (seven) but say "seven also".

To avoid this, you should use words that communicate what your company is about. If you make websites, for example, you could name your business "Website Creator" instead of "777 Websites".

5. Keep it simple

Avoid complicated, hard-to-spell names that are difficult for people to say.

For example, leave “chrysanthemum” and “nougat” off the list of name possibilities because they are both difficult to pronounce and hard to spell.

Your goal is for your business name to be easy enough to remember that they can type it in on Google and find you.

Also, try not to use words that are too niche or foreign. If your business name has a word in it that doesn't have any meaning in the English language, potential customers might be hesitant to buy from you because they cannot pronounce it and don't recognize the word.

Make sure your name is unique! Without uniqueness, people might not recognize your company when they see it. It's important to stand out in a crowd if you want to build up branding.

A good business name should be clear and easy to understand what the business does. Use words that are descriptive so people don't have any misunderstandings.

6. Be creative!

You might have an idea of what your business does but many other names will work as well so don't limit yourself when brainstorming!

7. Check for trademarks to avoid using a name that's already been claimed

Checking for trademarks is an important step in the process of coming up with your company name. If you get this far in the process and it turns out someone has already taken your desired name, you'll want to backtrack or try coming up with a new name entirely. One way to check if the trademark is taken is by using Google's trademark search engine.

Do’s and Don’ts of Business Names

Do choose an easy-to-remember business name

Don’t name your business after another brand or product

Do use a domain search tool to find an available URL

Don’t use an alternate URL extension such as .biz or .net if .com isn’t available

Don’t use an alternate spelling of a competitor or a name similar to an established brand

Do choose a unique name that is available on all social media platforms

Conclusion

Choosing the right name for your company is an important decision. From avoiding words that are difficult to pronounce or spell, to making sure it's not too long or short, there are many factors you'll want to consider before settling on a final choice.

We've provided seven tips you need to keep in mind when brainstorming names for your new business. Whether you're looking for something simple like "Website Creator" or something more creative like "Luxe", we hope these naming ideas will help make this process easier!