Selecting Your Business Name
Avoid hard-to-spell names. Use a name that conveys some meaning. Conduct a thorough Internet and trademark search to ensure no one else has business names like it and that you’re not infringing on any trademarks. Keep your business name succinct, easy to pronounce, and make it roll quickly off the tongue.
Do not name your business after yourself, as such names aren’t memorable or imaginative. Instead, your company name should reflect what you do and what your business stands for. Be creative, come up with a memorable name while considering the spelling, length, and pronunciation.
Writing Company Names and Trademark Rules
When writing a company name, uppercase the first letter, even if it begins with a lowercase character. For example, "The Coca-Cola Company" is correct.
Common Corporation Naming Rules:
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your corporation with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Research and Testing
To further narrow down your choices, perform market research among your competitors. Technically, you should A/B test your choices of company names with your potential customers. Once you have a shortlist of names you like, it’s a good idea to see how other people respond to each one.
Creative Inspiration
Consider using acronyms instead of full names as they’re easier to remember. You can also draw inspiration from mythology, literature, or use foreign words. Fit your company name into your mission statement to see if it aligns with your brand and image.
The company name can have a significant impact on your business’s success. It’s crucial to make your business easy to find in search engines. Consulting an expert may be beneficial to get the most appropriate name for your company.
Making a Name Stick
Can a name really make or break your business? While a business will live or die by the quality of its product or service, and the effectiveness of its marketing, the business name is crucial for becoming known and standing out in the crowded market.