Are you starting your own business? Today, there are about 30.7 million small businesses in the U.S. With so much competition out there, how can yours stand out from the masses?
One of the top ways is to create a meaningful and catchy business name. This can help tell potential customers what you’re all about and keep your brand at the top of their minds. If you’re looking for tips on how to name a business, this article can help.
For our top strategies and business name ideas, read on for our basic guide.
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Brainstorm Creative Ideas
The first step in creating catchy and cute business names is conducting several brainstorming sessions. During these sessions, it’s important to write out the essence of your brand; What are you all about?
Consider creating a word chart that lists each of your brand’s services, products, and value propositions. A value proposition tells consumers reasons for why they should support one brand as opposed to its competition. By determining these important characteristics, you can then get an idea of what your business name should portray.
After listing your brand’s important attributes, create a separate list for describer words. If your business is creative, family-focused, or quality-driven, be sure to jot these down when brainstorming.
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Conduct Your Research
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of five or ten good business names, the next step is to conduct your research. It’s imperative that you search the internet and local area for business names that are already using your idea. If you find one or several that are too similar to your idea, consider going back to the drawing board.
While you’ll likely face competition in your area surrounding your brand, it’s crucial that your name helps you stand out. To search a business name, you should use a trademark search, Secretary of State search, and name database searches. This can help cover all your bases and ensure that your name is unique to your business.
Skipping this crucial step could land you in legal trouble or drive customers away. After you’ve conducted your name search, consider asking friends and family for feedback. They should provide you with an unbiased view of your potential brand name.
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Test Your Branding
Another top factor to consider when creating a business name is branding and marketing materials. Here are a few questions you should ask:
- How will this name transfer onto logos and merchandise?
- Does this name portray the heart of my brand?
- Can I easily display this name on a storefront?
- Can I easily display this name on social media or a website?
If you can’t envision your name on a storefront, in your merchandise, or on a logo, it’s not the one for you. It’s important to cover all your bases before registering the business name.
Experiment With Your Unique Business Name Today
Now that you know our basic guide to creating a unique, eye-catching, effective business name, what are you waiting for? Plan your brainstorm session today.
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