5 Steps to Create Catchy Business Names
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Step 1: Make It Original
2.1 Don't Be Afraid to Stand Out
2.2 Explore Keywords
- Step 2: Make it Future-Proof
3.1 Consider Your Company's Story and Values
3.2 Make Sure Your Name Is Memorable
- Step 3: Make It User-Friendly
4.1 Choose a Name That Can Be Easily Spelled and Pronounced
4.2 Impose Creative Constraints
- Step 4: Make Sure It's Available
5.1 Check for SEO and Legitimacy
5.2 Check Domain Availability
- Step 5: Make Sure You Love It
- Conclusion
How to Come Up With Catchy Names for Your New Business
Starting a new business can be an exciting, yet challenging experience. One of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right business name. Your name is the first thing people will see and can have a lasting impact on your brand. Here are five key steps in coming up with a catchy name for your new business.
Step 1: Make It Original
When it comes to naming your new business, being original is key. You want to stand out from the competition and compel people to notice you. A good place to start is to generate a whole bunch of names. Don't edit yourself during this brainstorming process; it's more about the free flow of ideas and your imagination. Explore keywords and find words that are related to your business or service. Let's say you're a dog walker; you can use Park Pups Leash. Try reading, crack open a book, or even skim through the dictionary to find words that resonate with you. Play it up, shift words around, create a running shortlist, and keep iterating. When you think you've come up with everything, keep going.
2.1 Don't Be Afraid to Stand Out
Being original isn't easy, but it's essential when starting a new business. As a startup, you need to compel people to notice you. Don't be afraid to stand out to start. Generate a whole bunch of names. Don't edit yourself during this brainstorming process; it's more about the free flow of ideas and your imagination.
2.2 Explore Keywords
Explore keywords and find words that are related to your business or service. Let's say you're a dog walker; you can use Park Pups Leash. Try reading, crack open a book, or even skim through the dictionary to find words that resonate with you. Play it up, shift words around, create a running shortlist, and keep iterating. When you think you've come up with everything, keep going.
Step 2: Make it Future-Proof
One thing you don't want to do is create a name that you'll grow out of eventually. This is a common mistake made by many startups. Look to the future. If today, your company only sells women's shoes, but eventually, you'd like to add a men's line, it's probably a good idea not to name your company Godess Heels Boutique. Consider your company's story, values, and what makes it different. As you brainstorm, grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing it all down. If you're a service-based business, having your service in the name can be helpful like Andre's Construction looks pretty good. Make sure your name is memorable. Keep it simple and don't overcomplicate it.
3.1 Consider Your Company's Story and Values
Consider your company's story, values, and what makes it different. As you brainstorm, grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing it all down. If you're a service-based business, having your service in the name can be helpful like Andre's Construction looks pretty good.
3.2 Make Sure Your Name is Memorable
Make sure your name is memorable. Keep it simple and don't overcomplicate it.
Step 3: Make It User-Friendly
This is a big one. Choosing the name that you need to say, spell, and type to Google – even if it's just a made-up word – can help people find you quickly and put you ahead of the game. It's important to choose a name that people can say, spell, and type easily. You don't want people to struggle to pronounce or spell your business name. Impose creative constraints as you get deeper into brainstorming. Limit yourself to company names that have only one word or two syllables. Thank you, Facebook, Ikea, Google – this will help you come up with more punchy name ideas. You could need to take some of your top ideas and come up with a rough logo design. Get feedback; ask a few trusted friends or family members to weigh in on main ideas. If you say a name, and they immediately ask you a bunch of questions or look confused, you may want to rethink it.
4.1 Choose a Name That Can Be Easily Spelled and Pronounced
Choosing a name that people can say, spell, and type easily is important. You don't want people to struggle to pronounce or spell your business name.
4.2 Impose Creative Constraints
Impose creative constraints as you get deeper into brainstorming. Limit yourself to company names that have only one word or two syllables. Thank you, Facebook, Ikea, Google – this will help you come up with more punchy name ideas.
Step 4: Make Sure It's Available
Once you have a few company names that you're happy with, it's time to do some digging for SEO and legitimacy purposes. You'll want your name in your website URL. Make sure that it's also available in a dot-com forum. If it's not, it's not the end of the world, but the .com domain is the best if you can get it. Check it! You could use tools like GoDaddy to check if your domain is available. If it isn't, don't worry, you still have options. You can add a word to the start or end of your name. Popular ones include app, get, or hello. Again, if you're a service-based industry, you can try adding your offerings and your name, like Alex Rose Consulting.com or Black Sheep Coffee.com. Check to see if the name is taken from places like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. If it is, you can always add something to the beginning or the end of the name.
5.1 Check for SEO and Legitimacy
Check for SEO and legitimacy purposes. You'll want your name in your website URL. Make sure that it's also available in a dot-com forum. If it's not, it's not the end of the world, but the .com domain is the best if you can get it. Check it! You could use tools like GoDaddy to check if your domain is available.
5.2 Check Domain Availability
Check the domain availability. If the domain is not available, don't worry, you still have options. You can add a word to the start or end of your name, such as app, get, or hello. If you're a service-based industry, you can try adding your offerings and your name, like Alex Rose Consulting.com or Black Sheep Coffee.com. Check to see if the name is taken from places like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. If it is, you can always add something to the beginning or the end of the name.
Step 5: Make Sure You Love It
It goes without saying, but most importantly, you have to love your business name and feel very confidently about putting it out into the world. Once you finalize your business name, you can start building your brand. Check out our online logo maker to help you get started (link in the description).
Conclusion
Choosing a business name can be a fun and exciting process. It's important to take your time and consider all your options. Start with brainstorming, be original, and consider your company's values and the future. Make sure your name is user-friendly and available. And most importantly, love your business name. With these five steps, you're on your way to creating a catchy and memorable business name that will help you stand out from the competition.
Highlights
- Brainstorm a whole bunch of names
- Explore keywords and play around with words
- Consider your company's story, values, and future growth
- Choose a name that is memorable and user-friendly
- Check for SEO and domain availability
- Make sure you love your business name
FAQ
Q: Should I choose a name that describes what my business does?
A: It's not necessary, but it could be helpful, especially if you're a service-based industry. However, don't just choose a name that describes your services. Be creative and make it memorable.
Q: Can I change my business name later on?
A: Yes, but it can be costly and confusing for your customers. It's better to choose a name that will last the lifetime of your business.
Q: What if my favorite name is already taken?
A: You can try adding a word to the start or end of your name, such as app, get, or hello. If you're a service-based industry, you can try adding your offerings and your name. Check to see if the name is taken from places like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. If it is, you can always add something to the beginning or the end of the name.
