Coming up with the perfect business name can be a challenging task. Your business name is your brand identity - it's what the customers will associate with your company. Choosing the right one is very crucial for making a good first impression and for long-term success. Here are some tips for brainstorming and how to come up with a business name:
Define Your Target Audience
First, think about who the your ideal customers are. Defining your target audience will help to guide you towards business names that will resonate best with the people you want to reach. Are you targeting the young tech enthusiasts, parents, busy corporate executives? Keep the preferences and values of your audience in mind.
Describe What Your Business Does
Come up with a short description of what your business does and its key functions or offerings. This will give you a lot of different ways to communicate your brand purpose. Maybe you run a very eco-friendly cleaning service, a very whimsical stationery store, or a consulting firm for non-profits.
Brainstorm Extensively
Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and brainstorm as many name ideas as you can, writing down everything that comes to mind. Let your creativity flow without overthinking or judging any of your ideas during this stage. You can build off the initial ideas later. Consider the different types of names like descriptive names, invented words, alliterations, and also metaphors, and more.
Mind Keyword Optimization
If running an online business, choose a name that contains the keywords people may use to search for your products or services. This will make your company easier to find online. Just don't go overboard stuffing the keywords - make it sound natural.
Focus on Memorable over Clever
An overly clever or complex name can be very easily forgotten. Opt for something very memorable over trying too hard to be creative. Short, simple names are often alot easier for the customers to recall.
Check Domain Name Availability
Once you narrow down some options, check if the .com domain is available for each potential name of the business. Your domain name should ideally match your business name for consistency across the branding. If your perfect name is taken, then try adding your location or a very descriptive word.
Do a Google Search
Additionally, run a Google search on the company names you are considering to uncover any negative associations or any similarly named businesses. You don't want your brand confused with another company.
Consider Legal Guidelines
Avoid anything that is misleading, offensive or restricted - you may end up needing to change your carefully crafted name a lot later on when it conflicts with trademark or other regulations. Do some research to ensure your name adheres to the laws around intellectual property, regulated industries, etc.
Get Outside Opinions
Bounce some ideas off the trusted friends, mentors and also experts to get objective feedback. They may point out some issues or share their preferences you hadn't considered around any certain business name options. Taking in other perspectives leads to the even stronger name choices.
Say it Out Loud
Speak your final business name choices out loud. Pay attention to any tongue twisters or hard to pronounce names. You want something that sounds confident and also rolls off the tongue easily in a conversation.
Go With Your Gut
Review all the objective feedback and analysis, then tune into your own intuition. Go with the business name that excites and resonates the most strongly for you on a personal level. Your belief and enthusiasm will show through to make the that name a success.
Naming your business is truly about balancing creativity with a strategy. Set clear guidelines for yourself, brainstorm for yourself extensively, then analyze the pros and also cons around the top contenders. By taking the time to follow a thorough, methodical naming process, you’ll discover the perfect business name to effectively convey your brand and connect with the consumers.
