By Owen Fay . Posted on October 17, 2022“A brand is not a product or a promise or a feeling. It’s the sum of all the experiences we have with a company or product, good and bad, rational and emotional.” -Seth Godin
When starting a new business, one of the first things you need to do is choose a brand name. A strong brand name is important for many reasons, it can help you stand out from the competition, build customer loyalty, and increase sales.
Choosing a great name for your business is important. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Fortunately, we’ve highlighted some of the best tips you can follow to choose a brand name. Follow them and you’re on your way to finding the perfect name for your brand.
Tips for Choosing the Best Brand Name
1. Simple & Short
The best brand names are usually short and sweet. Think of some of the popular brands out there: Nike, Adidas, and Apple. See how they all have just a few letters? That’s because shorter names are easier to remember and pronounce. So, when you’re brainstorming names for your brand, keep it short and simple.
2. Memorable
Just because a name is short doesn’t mean it’s automatically going to be memorable. That’s why it’s important to choose a name that’s not only easy to remember but also one that will stick in people’s minds. Brainstorm a few different options and make sure they can be pronounced, written, and are easy to understand.
3. Avoid Numbers or Hyphens
While there are some exceptions to this rule, in general, you should avoid using numbers or hyphens in your brand name. That’s because they can make it harder for people to remember, type, and spell your name correctly. So unless you’re absolutely sure that a number or hyphen will work well for your brand, it’s best to steer clear.
4. Unique
There are millions of brands out there, so it’s important to choose a name that sets you apart from the rest. That doesn’t mean your name has to be completely unheard of, but it should be unique enough that it’s not easily confused with other brands.
Brainstorm a few different ideas and then run them by a few trusted friends or family members to get their opinion. But don’t rely on their feedback to choose the final name.
5. Relevant
Your brand name should be relevant to what you’re selling. If you’re a clothing brand, for example, you might want to consider a name that has something to do with fashion or style.
If you’re a tech company, a name that’s related to technology or computers might be a good choice. But no matter what industry you’re in, ensure your name is relevant to users and what you do.
6. Avoid Made-Up Words
While made-up words can sometimes make for great brand names, they’re often more trouble than they’re worth. That’s because made-up words can be difficult for people to remember and spell, and they often don’t have any meaning behind them. If you do go with a made-up word, make sure it’s short, easy to remember, and relevant to your brand.
7. Avoid Negative Connotations
You want people to have positive associations with your brand, so it’s important to avoid any negative connotations in your name.
Steer clear of anything that might be seen as offensive, controversial, or otherwise negative. It’s also a good idea to avoid using words with multiple meanings, as people might interpret them in a way you didn’t intend.
8. Consider Your Target Market
When choosing a brand name, it’s important to consider your target market. After all, you want your name to appeal to the people you’re trying to reach. Think about what kind of image you want your brand to project, and choose a name that will resonate with your target market.
9. Keep it flexible
The brand name can be used in a number of formats and placements. It should be able to be altered to effectively communicate your message and value. The brand name needs to grow with the business and continue to be flexible as you add products, services, and expand to new markets.
10. Test your brand name
Before you settle on a name, it’s a good idea to test it with a platform like Poll the People. See how it looks on different marketing materials, like business cards and website banners.
Instead of asking friends, colleagues, or family, you can stop guessing what your target audience wants and give them the chance to evaluate your brand name before going live. With Poll the People all you need to do is input your brand name variations, choose your audience, and launch. In about an hour you will have actionable feedback from your users without wasting your budget.
How to see if your brand name is available
1. Google it
One of the best ways to test if your brand name is good is to google it. See if there are any other companies with the same name, or if there is anything else associated with the name. If there are no other companies with the same name, it’s likely a good choice.
2. Check the domain
Another way to test if your brand name is good is to see if the domain name is available. A good brand name should have an available .com domain name. If it’s not available, it may be worth considering a different name.
3. Test it on social media
A good brand name should also be available on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. If the name is already taken on social media, it may be worth considering a different name.
4. See if it’s trademarked
If you’re serious about using a particular name for your brand, you should check to see if it’s already trademarked. If it is, you may not be able to use it.
These are just a few ways to test if your brand name is good. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Choose a name that you think sounds good, is easy to say and remember, and is available on the .com domain and social media.
How To Protect Your Brand Name
Do a trademark search
The first step in protecting your brand name is to do a trademark search. This will help you find out if anyone is already using your proposed name, and whether it’s available for you to use.
Register your trademark
Once you’ve done a search and confirmed that your proposed name is available, the next step is to register it as a trademark. This will give you legal protection and make it much harder for someone to steal your name or try to use it for their purposes.
Use your trademark
Once you’ve registered your trademark, it’s important to start using it. This will help to establish it as a strong and distinctive brand. Use it on all of your marketing materials, your website, and anywhere else you can think of.
Monitor your trademark
It’s not enough to simply register your trademark and then forget about it. You need to monitor it to make sure that no one is infringing on it or using it without your permission. If you see someone using your trademark without your permission, you can take legal action to stop them.
Be prepared to defend your trademark
If someone does try to use your trademark without your permission, you need to be prepared to defend it. This may mean hiring a lawyer and taking legal action. But it’s important to defend your trademark if you want to keep it strong and protect your brand.
Bonus Tip
- Make sure the brand name conveys the right message about your product or service.
- Avoid using initials or abbreviations in the brand name.
- Get feedback from potential customers, family, and friends on the brand name.
- Choose a brand name that you can be proud of and that will stand the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is a brand name?
Your brand name is one of the most important aspects of your business – it’s how customers will remember and identify you. Choose wisely!
What if I can’t decide on a brand name?
If you’re having trouble deciding on a brand name, try brainstorming with a group of people or using a name generator. If you can’t decide, run a brand name test with Poll the People to get feedback from your target audience in minutes without blowing your budget.
How do I know if a brand name is taken?
You can do a quick search on the USPTO website to see if a trademark is already registered.
How do I trademark a brand name?
You’ll need to file a trademark application with the USPTO.
Can I use a generic word as my brand name?
Yes, but you’ll need to be careful. Generic words can’t be trademarked, so you’ll need to choose a brand name that is distinctive and not too similar to other businesses.
What if I want to use my personal name as my brand name?
You can, but you’ll need to be sure that your name is not too similar to other businesses in your industry. You may also want to trademark your name to protect it.
Can I use someone else’s name as my brand name?
You’ll need to get permission from the person whose name you want to use. If they’re famous, you’ll also need to be careful not to infringe on their trademark.
Conclusion
After reading this blog post, you should have a better understanding of how to choose a brand name that best suits your business. Keep in mind that a good brand name should be unique, memorable, and simple. It’s also important to make sure that your brand name conveys the right message about your business.
The best way to find the best grand name once you have done your research and structured your options correctly, test it with Poll the People. If you are ready to find the best brand name with the help of your users, sign up for Poll the People and run your first test in minutes.
- How To Retain SEO Ranking After A Redesign - February 22, 2023
- Ultimate Guide: How to Write Brand Names - February 17, 2023
- 10 Best Practices for Using Video in Your Email Marketing Campaigns - February 8, 2023
