When starting a company, you need to be clued up on a host of different things. Technology transforms businesses every day, so it’s important to discover all it can offer. Another important activity is to come up with a business name. This can be difficult, as you’ll want something that’s unique and that represents your company well. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of choosing a good business name and explain how to do it.
Contents
It’s The First Impression Folks Will Have Of Your Company
People will discover your business name when you feature in their Google search results. Alternatively, it may be because of one of your marketing campaigns. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so you need to get this right! It’s important to choose a name that reflects the values and mission of your business. Your company name will be an important part of your brand identity, so if you’re a luxury brand, you don’t want a name that’s cutesy or funny. You may wish to communicate that you’re environmentally responsible or that you give back to the community.
Whilst finding a business name is often challenging, there are many blogs and specialist websites that can help you. If you want to know how to name a tech company you can learn how to think global, and discover that excitement is key. You can work with multiple ideas, test names in the real world and use naming technology products, services and software.
It Should Be Reflected In Your Domain Name
If you’re starting a business, one of the first things you should do is purchase a domain name that reflects the name of your business. The domain name is the address of your website that people type in the browser to visit your online pages. It’s important because you want people to easily find your company and to be able to remember its name.
For example, if you’re starting a business called “Joe’s Coffee House”, you would want to purchase a domain name like “joescoffeehouse.com”. Not only will this make it easier for people to find your website, but it will also help with search engine optimization (SEO). When people are searching for businesses like yours online, having keywords in your domain name will help you appear higher in their search results.
It Needs To Be Trademark And Copyright Compliant
A trademark is a sign or symbol used by a person, business, or organization to identify its products or services and to distinguish them from those of other producers. In order for your business name to be trademark compliant, it needs to be unique and not too similar to any other existing businesses. This will help you avoid any legal issues down the road.
Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to make copies of a work, perform or display the work publicly, and to prepare derivative works. You don’t want someone else to be able to use your business name and cause confusion in the marketplace. You also want to ensure that your business name is not too similar to any existing trademarks. If it is, you could be sued for infringement. To avoid this, do a thorough search of existing businesses and trademarks before choosing a name – and involve a legal professional if necessary.
Image Source: unsplash
It May Require A Lot Of Work
It’s worth initially brainstorming with your friends and family for company name ideas. A naming agency can also help with the brainstorming process and make sure your name is available and not being used by another company. They will check for domain availability and social media handles. You’ll need to check the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) website to make sure the name hasn’t already been taken. Once you’ve chosen a name, you can register it with them to ensure that no one else can use it.
You shouldn’t choose a trend-based name because in a few years, it might be outdated. Instead, think about the longevity of the name and choose something that will still be around in 20 or 30 years. Some companies use their location as part of their name (like “Boston Consulting Group” or “San Francisco Chronicle”) but it’s up to you whether you want to do this. If you decide to do a wordplay on your business name, make sure it’s not too complicated.
It Needs To Be Tested First
Your business name should be appealing to the people you want to attract as customers (i.e. your target audience). Once you’ve come up with a potential business name, test it out on them and get their feedback. Ask them if the name sounds trustworthy, professional, etc.
If you’re planning on expanding your business into new markets (industries or places), make sure your name won’t need to be changed in order to be appropriate for them. Test out your proposed name on some of these people too, even if your company expansion won’t be for several years.
It’s Central To Your Marketing Activities
Your business name is more than just what appears on your website or on your business cards: it’s a key element of your branding strategy. A good business name will help you to stand out from the competition and make it easier for customers to remember you. That’s why a business name that’s short and sweet can be so effective.
It’s important to choose a name that can be easily pronounced and spelled, as this will make it simpler for people to find you online and offline. You should also avoid using industry jargon that only insiders will understand.
As you can see, your business name can be either your greatest asset or its largest problem. By choosing wisely and using the right services and resources, you can establish your new company. Over time (and thanks to your marketing campaigns), you may be able to enjoy increased sales and be expanding your market share even further.