Choosing a business name is one of the most important decisions you can make for your company. It will determine how easy it becomes to market your brand, and it can play an important role in cementing your reputation in a particular marketplace.
Given the number of poor business names out there, however, it is clear that the process isn’t as simple as you may think. To ensure that you don’t encounter these problems, here are the top mistakes you should avoid:
Overlooking Tone
When coming up with a name, most people will focus on selecting a title related to the industry, or they will try to make a statement with their business label. While these elements are important, the company tone is just as significant. Are you aiming to be prestigious, emotionally impactful, fun and playful, or something else altogether? Consider the kind of tone you want to convey and ensure that your business title reflects this. You will be surprised to learn just how effective such a tactic can be.
Creating Too Much Complexity
In an effort to be unique, some of your ideas may end up sounding a little unusual. While you may think this helps your company stand out, it may have the opposite effect. Think of some of the most popular global organizations such as Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, or Google. What do they have in common?
The names are all simplistic and roll off the tongue. This is an avenue you should consider as well. To ensure that you don’t go too far, use a brand name generator to help you out. At the very least, this tool will give you a more clear idea of your direction.
Skipping the Research
These days, success is all about online results. Before deciding on a title, make sure to research the company name online. You need to do this for two reasons. First, it ensures that your potentialtruly is unique. The last thing you need is for your company to have the same title as a competitor. Second, it avoids causing confusion when it comes to your consumers. Check that your company name and related keywords appear right on top of the results when typed into a search engine. Other companies in an unrelated field should not appear.
Forgetting About Domain Name Opportunities
Don’t select your company name based on only the potential domain name. Nevertheless, this is an important factor, considering that most consumers will find your business via your website. Ensure that the domain name is available. If it isn’t, think about the domain names that are still available. Would they work as a company name? If so, you may want to move in this direction. You will find it easier to direct traffic to your site, which would simplify your marketing efforts.
These are some of the mistakes you should avoid when selecting a company name. Just pay attention to tone and don’t use complex names. Don’t leave out domain names when doing your research either. This will help your efforts to pay off in the long run.