Recently, I received a question from a listener who was having trouble naming her business.
In her own words, she said “I’ve gone in to the territory of over-thinking land.”
I answered the question in detail in this episode of Small Business Big Marketing, however I thought I’d also share the key points here.
Whilst naming a business can be a challenge, there are some key considerations that, if you are aware of them, will make the process less onerous and more fun:
- Choose a name you love – that you love to say, hear and read.
- It helps if there’s a story behind the name.
- Make it memorable.
- It doesn’t have to be self-explanatory, but if it’s not, support it with a tagline that is.
- Short is good.
- Acronyms suck!
- Remember, Apple was once just a piece of fruit.
- It’s what you put in to the name in the months and years ahead that makes it special.
- Listen to how it sounds – it might read well, but may be hard to pronounce. I feel in to this trap with my other podcast – Freedom Ocean.
- It’s good if the domain is available. Dot com if you’re in the state – .com.au if you’re in Australia.
- If you’re torn between two names, use 99Designs to get some cheap logos done.
What considerations would you add to this list?
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6 thoughts on “11 considerations when naming a business.”
The appropriate business name can make you the talk of the town whilst the wrong one can drag your business to failure. Business names should be memorable, not forgettable.
The appropriate business name can make you the talk of the town whilst the wrong one can drag your business to failure. Business names should be memorable, not forgettable.
Very nice, I love this. What about considering informative business names so that your customers know what your product or service is immediately? Thanks for the tips.
Very nice, I love this. What about considering informative business names so that your customers know what your product or service is immediately? Thanks for the tips.
Brilliant! Naming your company with your own name is classic but it does not tell your customer what to do. My business partner and I chose a name that we think would help people to understand what we are selling or offering.
Brilliant! Naming your company with your own name is classic but it does not tell your customer what to do. My business partner and I chose a name that we think would help people to understand what we are selling or offering.