My Top Tips on How to Choose a Business Name
Choosing the right name for your business is a big step in building your brand identity and I completely understand it’s something you want to get right. A business name that fits perfectly with you and your brand will help you stand out and speak to your ideal clients or customers. Here are my top tips on how to choose one.
Build Your Identity
A good business name will help show your customers what your business is all about and will also demonstrate how you are different to other businesses out there. Think about your core values when creating a business name. I chose to use my own name as my business name as it highlighted me as the face and the human behind my brand which I have worked hard to maintain as my business has grown. My trading name is ‘SDC Digital’. This represents Social Digital Creative but it also stands for Simon Douglas Clark. Clever eh?!?! I think so…
Keep it Simple
If your business name is so unique that it doesn’t make sense to your customers, this can leave them with more questions than answers. Try not to make your business name so obscure that your end customer doesn’t get it as you will get tired of explaining it at some point. Keep it simple and relevant.
Check Local Directories
Before you fall in love with your business name and rush out to get business cards made up, check your local business directories to ensure the name you want isn’t the same or very similar to another local business, especially if they offer a similar service. This will cause confusion, could cause legal headaches and make things more complicated than they need to be moving forwards.
Check Availability
Once you have determined that another local business doesn’t share your business name, you will need to check the availability of your business name for a website domain or your chosen social media channels. Is your preferred domain name available? If not, how will this impact your business? Are your ideal social media handles still available? If not, you might want to consider an alternative business name to get the best out of your online marketing. If you are setting up a limited company, check Companies House to see if this has been taken or reach out to a trusted accountant to support you in this decision.
Build Your Buyer Persona
Next, do some research and imagine you are your ideal customer, does your business name fit the message you are trying to convey? Will it attract your ideal audience or put them off? Be honest here as your customers, or lack of them are the ones who can make or break your business.
Does Your Business Name Have Room to Grow?
Envision the future of your business, imagine 5 or even 10 years down the line, where do you want your business to be and what do you want to have achieved by then? Does your business name still suit your business of the future? If not, then it’s a good idea to think bigger from the start to avoid rebranding in the future.
Get Some Feedback
Finally, get some feedback on your business name. Start with your friends, family or business network, what do they think of your name and how it fits with your business idea or plan? Don’t be afraid to throw it out there and gain some valuable and constructive feedback.
Top Tip: Don’t just ask friends and family. Choose someone in business who has been there before you and that you can trust who will give you the right feedback you need to make the right decision.
I have spent the last 10 years helping to get business owners on the right path with their start-ups, sales and marketing and I am always happy to bounce around ideas with an up-and-coming business owner. If you need some support with your business name and beyond, reach out to me here.