Naming a business can be one of the most challenging aspects of starting a new company. The name you choose will become the face of your brand, so it’s important to select something that is both memorable and reflective of your business’s mission and values.
To help you in your naming process, we asked 13 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question:
“What are your top tips for naming a business?”
Here’s what they had to say:
1. Find a name that is relevant to your industry or target market.
“When choosing a name for your business, make sure it is relevant to your industry or target market. For example, if you are starting a company that focuses on environmental sustainability, choose a name that reflects that. If you are targeting millennial mothers, choose a name that they can relate to. The more relevant your name is, the easier it will be for people to remember it and potential customers to find it.” – Nicole Munoz, Start Ranking Now
2. Keep it simple.
“The best names are usually short and sweet. Avoid anything too complicated or hard to spell. You want people to be able to find your website and remember your name without too much trouble.” – Justin Blanchard, Server Mania Inc.
3. Make sure the domain name is available.
“Before settling on a name, do a quick search online to make sure the domain name is available. You don’t want to get too attached to a name only to find out later that you can’t use it because someone else has the website address.” – Darrah Brustein, Network Under 40
4. Avoid using industry jargon.
“If you use industry jargon or ‘ insider speak’ in your business name, most people won’t have a clue what you’re talking about! Keep it simple and clear so that everyone knows what you do at a glance.” – Amanda Ponzar, Distribute Consulting
5. Test it out on potential customers.
“One of the best ways to test out a few different names for your business is to simply ask your target market or customer base what they think. Ask them which name is most likely to make them want to learn more about your company, and go with the one that gets the best response.” – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
6. Brainstorm with a team.
“If you’re stuck trying to come up with a name on your own, one of the best things you can do is brainstorm with a team. Get a group of people together – employees, friends, family, anyone who will give you honest feedback – and see what they come up with. You might be surprised at how many great ideas come from this exercise!” – John Rampton, Due
7. Make sure the name is easy to say and spell.
“You’d be surprised how many times people misspell or mispronounce common words when they’re trying to find a website or business. To avoid this, make sure your name is easy to say and spell. If it’s not, you might want to consider changing it.” – Jared Atchison, WPForms
8. Consider using a keyword in your name.
“If you’re having trouble coming up with a name that is both unique and relevant, try incorporating a keyword into your business name. This will help potential customers find you more easily online and help you get ranked higher in search engines.” – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
9. Avoid using personal names.
“While it may be tempting to use your own name for your business unless you’re already a household name, it’s usually not a good idea. First, it can make your business seem small and insignificant. Second, if you ever decide to sell your business, the new owner may not want to keep your name.” – Thomas Smale, FE International
10. Make sure the name is memorable.
“If you want people to remember your name, it has to be memorable. That doesn’t mean it has to be complicated – in fact, often the simplest names are the most memorable – but it does need to stand out from the rest. Take some time to brainstorm a few different options and then see which ones stick in your mind.” – Nicole Fabian-Weber, Little Zoey
Conclusion:
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a name for your business: keep it simple, relevant, and easy to spell. Avoid using jargon or insider speak, and test it out on potential customers to see which name is most likely to make them want to learn more about your company. Brainstorm with a team to get some great ideas, and make sure the name is memorable.
