Coming up with a business name..
- Thread starter Pro-Pro
- Start date
It really is up to you and what type of image you want to create about you and your business. Do you want a typical company name that represents the industry you are in and what you do, and perhaps your location?
John Smith Plumbing & Heating (Manchester) Limited
...or perhaps you want something a bit generic but still representative of your name?
John Smith Services Limited
...or let's go all hyper cool and make up a new work for your company name, perhaps using letters from your pet cats name mixed with your favour TV show?
Zarooka Limited
To be honest, in the majority of industries it isn't that important what the company is called (unless you are thinking of We Sell Tat in which case I would advise against that name), especially as trying to match up an available domain name with an available company name is going to be a challenge. I would suggest going a bit whacky and coming up with a unique name.
John Smith Plumbing & Heating (Manchester) Limited
...or perhaps you want something a bit generic but still representative of your name?
John Smith Services Limited
...or let's go all hyper cool and make up a new work for your company name, perhaps using letters from your pet cats name mixed with your favour TV show?
Zarooka Limited
To be honest, in the majority of industries it isn't that important what the company is called (unless you are thinking of We Sell Tat in which case I would advise against that name), especially as trying to match up an available domain name with an available company name is going to be a challenge. I would suggest going a bit whacky and coming up with a unique name.
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I've just discovered this website for finding good available website addresses.
A starting point could be to find a domain name which fits with your new business.
http://www.namestation.com
A starting point could be to find a domain name which fits with your new business.
http://www.namestation.com
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C
ColourKraft
This certainly is a very hard thing to do. But don't settle on something ordinary, if you come up with a great name your clients will remember you, it will make a difference. Consider these points:
- Is it memorable
- Keep it short
- Make sure it's not trademarked
- Don't choose something similar to an already popular company
- Is the domain available
- When people see it they should instantly know what kind of service you provide
- When you visualise the name does it evoke positive emotions?
- Should be easy to spell
- Is it memorable
- Keep it short
- Make sure it's not trademarked
- Don't choose something similar to an already popular company
- Is the domain available
- When people see it they should instantly know what kind of service you provide
- When you visualise the name does it evoke positive emotions?
- Should be easy to spell
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The availability of a suitable domain is paramount. Go back as far as 1998 and you see egg.com entering financial services. I seem to remember Prudential paying an American guy $300,000 or so for egg.com after initially arguing that it could not be registered as it was a proper noun.
I have a few names parked for future use, both the .com and the .co.uk and actually managed to sell one for a housing development back in the early 2000s.
Say you want to be Bob's Builders. You can't call yourself www.bobthebuilder1248798.com can you ? and www.bobthebuilder.com is already taken. You have to think laterally and maybe drop the word Bob or use localisation to find an available name.
You can't just call yourself what you want and then think about the web these days.
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For good business name ideas simply Google Search your chosen field or product area in the USA, Canada, or Australia, that will supply you with 5000 tried names ideas for starters. Look for dealership lists. Your gut feelings do matter - you will have more personal confidence and name-pride if your sub-sync values that name more than others.
Your chosen name does not matter too much INITIALLY to buyers or others, nor will they really understand or care why you prefer lets say Blue Sky, over Blue Ocean, Blue Oddyssy or Blue Lagoon. The word blue sky can stand out, look drab, look odd or impressive, can look great or look crap, so you need to study typography and word association games. In the USA they add a company slogan to gain more credence or street cred. Avis, We are number 2 springs to mind.
Were names really matter is in banking, insurance and property. In these fields you need to suggest stability and confidence. I love brilliant trading names but not Wonga, Ogg, Moggie, Egg or O2.
Your chosen name does not matter too much INITIALLY to buyers or others, nor will they really understand or care why you prefer lets say Blue Sky, over Blue Ocean, Blue Oddyssy or Blue Lagoon. The word blue sky can stand out, look drab, look odd or impressive, can look great or look crap, so you need to study typography and word association games. In the USA they add a company slogan to gain more credence or street cred. Avis, We are number 2 springs to mind.
Were names really matter is in banking, insurance and property. In these fields you need to suggest stability and confidence. I love brilliant trading names but not Wonga, Ogg, Moggie, Egg or O2.
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- Original Poster
- #8
Some really good points and tips there, thanks. I guess I'm guilty of dismissing a website if the name is drab, especially when it comes to creative services. I've seen some awesome names online and had no idea it would be so difficult! But I've taken all your advice on board and will have a good think........
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I've just started a new business and working on the website as we speak. What I've learned when coming up with a name is if you want to build a brand for you business? Ask yourself that question.
This will lead you in the right direction.
A good example of this is someone like Wonga. They are in a real dodgy/shady industry but want to convey a brand which I think they've done with remarkable success.
This will lead you in the right direction.
A good example of this is someone like Wonga. They are in a real dodgy/shady industry but want to convey a brand which I think they've done with remarkable success.
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