Naming your business is a daunting task. Many business owners struggle to be creative when brainstorming ideas for their name. Some entrepreneurs take the easy route and go with a generic business name, and others go too far and name their business something that nobody can understand or pronounce. Don’t make these mistakes. This short blog from ASBTDC will give you some tips on how to select the right moniker for your growing business.
Things to consider when naming your business…
- Take your time when naming your business
- If you rush this process, then you may have regrets in the future
- It is hard to change your business name
2. The trick is to find a name that is
- Not too similar to a competitor
- Easy for people to spell and pronounce
- Memorable but not too unique
- Consistent with your brand
- Legally available and the domain name is available
When you think you’ve got a good candidate for a name, do a Google search. This will bring up any similar results for other businesses. The Google search will give you hints on whether or not your name is legally available. To ensure that your name is legally available, do a trademark search with the USPTO online database. You may also want to conduct a search with your state’s Secretary of State to make sure that there are no similar names in close proximity. If your name is too similar to any other business, the Secretary of State could deny your application to become a registered business.
After that, utilize a domain name purchasing tool to search for potential names for your brand’s website. Depending on the previous usage of your name, domains can cost anywhere from $14 to thousands of dollars. It’s important for your domain name to be easily searchable. Another thing to consider in naming your business is availability on social media. Do you think your brand will post the most on Instagram? Go do a search and see if your potential name is available. This will help you figure out if your name is similar to any competitors. Searching around the internet for similar companies and names could also help you brainstorm some ideas on how to set your company’s name apart from the competition.
Remember, choosing the right name can significantly benefit or harm your business. Take your time, and keep these tips in mind when brainstorming potential names.