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How to Choose the Best Name for Your Startup Business
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Creating the perfect name for your startup business isn’t easy. It takes time and effort to develop something that’ll resonate with customers, but it can be done. You may need to try a few different options until you find one that works for you.
For business owners, choosing the right name is of the utmost importance. There are a few things you should keep in mind as you do your research and start to narrow down what kind of name you want your company to have. You can use a free business name search to check the availability of names for your startup.
Naming is one of the marketing strategies, so you must consider it. This article discusses the step-by-step process of choosing the best name for your startup business.
Create a List of Possible Names
Naming can prove either effective or destructive for your new startup. One of the factors to consider when naming is its power to make a mark. Now that you know there are a lot of factors to consider, you should consider creating a list of possible names.
First off, try not to get caught up in whether or not your first idea is the best one. It’s essential to think creatively during this process and keep your mind open until you come up with some solid options. You can do this by yourself or with friends and family who’ll support your choice.
Once you’ve got as many ideas as possible on paper, it’s time to start narrowing down the list. Consider what kind of name would resonate most with your customers and potential investors; if nothing else, make sure it sounds professional. Also, consider what competitors may say if they hear the name. This can help guide towards something unique rather than generic.
Decide What Kind of Name You Want
Your business name should be catchy. People must remember your brand, especially if they’re spending money on it. A company’s name can also determine whether it’ll succeed in its marketplace. If you’re looking for a new job with a startup, look out for companies whose names are already familiar to you as those probably have strong brands that can help open doors for you.
To pick the right name for your business or product, consider what kind of name is best suited to your industry. Is there an industry trend happening right now? If so, try matching your business’s personality with one of these trends:
- Brand names tend toward modernity and often use words like that speak of their originality.
- Product-based businesses usually have names relating specifically back to their products themselves.
- Service-based businesses tend toward more descriptive names, whereas product-based businesses may use abstract nouns instead.
So, it’d be okay if you ensure your business’s name goes with the present demands of the industry. This will make your startup exude originality and newness.
Decide If You Want to Use a Made-Up Word
If you’re looking to start a business, your name will likely be one of the first things people encounter. This can make it a bit tricky to choose a name that’s memorable and easy to pronounce but also allows for maximum brand recognition.
When choosing between made-up words and real ones, several factors must be considered when deciding which route to take. For example, ask whether a specific word has any preexisting meanings. If not, how easy will it be for people who don’t speak English as their first language (or even second) to understand what this business does? Does this word sound like another common term or phrase? If so, how confusing would it be for customers if they meet with different businesses with similar-sounding names?
Ask the Availability of the Name
Once you’ve decided on a name, the next step is to make sure it’s available. The easiest way is by doing a quick search on your website and social media accounts, as well as other websites that might be useful for your business. You can check whether the domain name (the URL of your website) is available too. Just like with a company name, it’s best if you can get both the domain name and brand name-checked at once. This is one of the things you need to start a business.
Choose Easy to Spell and Pronounce Names
If you’re new to the startup game, it can be easy to overlook something as simple as naming your business. There are a lot of ways you might not be considering when it comes to choosing the right name for your brand.
When choosing a name, make sure it’s easy to spell and pronounce. You don’t want customers having trouble remembering how to spell or say your company’s name just because they misheard one letter. It’s also essential that the name is easily remembered so people don’t have trouble connecting their memory with what they see on billboards and signs around town.
Check the Meaning in Other Languages or Countries
It’s essential to check the meaning of your business name in other languages, countries, cultures, and social groups. You wouldn’t want to find out that your brand-new company name means something terrible or insulting when translated into a different language. It’d help if you also considered checking how people might perceive the name when translated into another language.
Choose Short, Simple Names
The name should be easy to remember. It’s a good idea to keep your company’s name as simple as possible so that it isn’t too complex. If the name is too long, people may have trouble remembering or associating it with your brand.
The name should be easy to pronounce. Your startup should have a memorable and pronounceable name that can easily be read aloud. You want customers and clients to be able to spell out your company’s name on their own without having any problems with its pronunciation or spelling in general.
Conclusion
When you’re naming your business, take it seriously and make sure that you do your research. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or colleagues if you can’t decide on the perfect name.
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About Shane Avron
Shane Avron is a freelance writer, specializing in business, general management, enterprise software, and digital technologies. In addition to Flevy, Shane's articles have appeared in Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine, among other business journals.Top 10 Recommended Documents on Entrepreneurship
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