So you’re about to start your new business, but you’re stuck on the name? Maybe you’ve already got an idea for a name, but you’re not sure it’s the right one. The truth is your business’ name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a new business. It’s what your clients will remember you by, it’s likely going to be the name of your website too and it’s going to be plastered on any branding you do. Whether this is your first business, or your tenth, chances are you might be guilty of making some common business naming mistakes. If you want a name that you’re going to love for years to come, and won’t cause you any issues down the line, keep reading my top 5 common business naming mistakes you need to avoid.
1. Not Choosing an Original Name
It can be hard coming up with a different name for your business, but standing out from the crowd is really important. If you’re struggling for ideas, why not consider using a free business name generator. Simply key in some very basic details, and the generator will quickly formulate some options for you to choose from. Not only does it help you find some ideas when you’re lacking creativity yourself, but it can also show you if the matching domain name is currently available too, which is a huge time saver. I would take this a step further and once you have your top names, sit down for a while and Google them. See if they’re being used elsewhere, if they’re trademarked, and if there are any red flags around the names. Just because a name is being used elsewhere, doesn’t mean it’s completely unusable, but you’re going to want to do some research to see whether it’s an option for you still.
2. Picking Something Too Long
The longer the name, the more difficult it may become for your clients to remember your name. But honestly, this isn’t even the biggest concern these days with a long name. A long name means it might not fit into Twitter’s 15 character limit, which will make it much harder for you to have matching social media handles. How much this will matter to you will depend on which social media platforms you were planning to use, and what their limits are, but it is definitely worth considering from the get-go. If you can, before committing to a name, check which social media accounts are available with the exact same spelling. There’s nothing worse than having inconsistent spelling across your different platforms because one name was already taken.
3. Getting Creative with the Spelling
However you plan to spell your company’s name, please do everyone a favor and simply choose the most obvious spelling. There’s no need to add in numbers, or to change things around. Simple is definitely best when it comes to how you spell your name. You want people to be able to find you, whether it’s through a Google Search online or hunting for your Facebook page. If you try to get too creative with how your name is spelled, they may struggle to find you. There are also trends that come and go, and this can extend to names or spelling. It’s best to avoid them if possible, as who’s to say whether these trends will hold popular in 5 or 10 years. You want a name that will last the distance and grow with your business. Sticking to the most simple and obvious spelling will ensure that your business’ name is timeless.
4. Not Saying the Name Aloud
How does the name sound? Say it aloud five, ten, fifteen times – what do you think of it? Ask friends and family what they think of the name, but take it a step further and ask them questions about it. Do they like the way it sounds? What does it remind them of? Is the name clear enough when it’s said aloud? Some names are a bit confusing and sound like they could be a few different things. You want to pick something that’s catchy and memorable, but also very easy to hear, too!
5. You’re Overthinking Your Name
I personally tend to get stuck when trying to name a new business endeavor. I want it to be perfect, so I find myself obsessing over the name to the point where it doesn’t even look right anymore. Choose your top option, talk to people about it, and then leave it for a short amount of time, maybe a week or two while you focus on planning other aspects of your business. Come back to the name and if you’re still happy with it, go for it! Don’t let coming up with the “perfect name” hold you back from moving forward with your goals.
Starting a new business is a very exciting time in your life. Hopefully these top 5 business naming mistakes help you choose a name that works well for your new project.