Need some good business name ideas? This post will help you to create names that will serve your business well for a lifetime. That’s important because having to rename your business is an expense best avoided.

Below are seven business name ideas that will help you get it right the first time:

• Business Name Idea 1: Start with many name options.
• Business Name Idea 2: Choose a name that expresses what your business does.
• Business Name Idea 3: Choose a name that leaves room for expanding into new products and services.
• Business Name Idea 4: Choose a name that makes a positive impression on your business’ target market.
• Business Name Idea 5: Conduct trademark research.
• Business Name Idea 6: Conduct target market research.
• Business Name Idea 7: Consider the connotations and sound of the words for each option.

Business Name Idea 1:
Start With Many Name Options.

You need to start with many business name ideas in order to have enough for elimination through the process of selecting a final name. So brainstorm and put your subconscious to work. Use a thesaurus and get a list of at least en business name ideas.

Business Name Idea 2:
Choose A Name That Expresses
What Your Business Does

Don’t name your business after yourself. The only two exceptions to this rule are, first, you are fortunate enough that your personal name truly represents what your business does or ,second, you are well-known with name recognition within your industry.

I know an attorney whose last name is Court. “Court” works for a legal office especially since law firms are notorious about naming the firm after the senior partners. However if he were an accountant, his last name would be a detriment.

You can use both your name and a word that expresses what your business does, but unless your name portrays a message that adds to the business name, you’re wasting valuable words.

Business Name Idea 3:
Choose A Name That Leaves Room
For Expanding Into
New Products And Services

Choose a name that will grow and expand with your business. Your business name ideas should be broad enough to cover expansion.

To exemplify business name ideas two and three, let me tell you what I did. When I started my business in 2000, I named it Sulton Books. Sulton is a blend of my and my husband’s last names. “Sulton” portrayed no message to add to the business name and “Books” limited my business to books.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the name developed a negative connotation. So I had to change it, incurring additional expenses. I renamed it “Best Books Plus”, which enhances the business and incorporates more than books.

Business Name Idea 4:
Choose A Name That Makes
A Positive Impression On Your
Business’ Target Market

Consider how each business name idea will impress target market members. You need to know all about your target market so you can select a final name that creates a positive impression.

But don’t tie your name to the target market so that you can’t later expand into new target markets. Remember you’re trying to avoid the expense of renaming your business later.

Business Name Idea 5:
Conduct Trademark Research

You need research to assure that none of your business name ideas are already taken.

Go to the United States Patent and Trademark Office site. You can search your business name ideas to determine if any are already trademarked by another business. Delete all business name ideas that are part of a trademark to avoid potential legal expenses and an almost certain demand that you rename your business.

Business Name Idea 6:
Conduct Target Market Research

Next research which business name ideas that your target market members like best. Ask them what first comes to mind when you mention each.

And don’t forget to get their reactions to your product. You may get additional business name ideas from their reactions.

Business Name Idea 7:
Consider The Connotations And Sound
Of The Words In Each Business Name Idea

You should consider the connotations and sound of the words in each because a name that sounds pleasant and flows well will generally work best.

You also need to know the connotation of each word for the culture of your target market. A positive name in one culture can be negative in another.

You don’t want to make the mistake of a major American car company who named a model “Nova”. When they attempted to sell it overseas, they learned that the name there meant “No Go”. Obviously they didn’t sell many of that model there.

Business Name Idea:
Conclusion

By considering each of these seven business name ideas, you can pick a business name that will serve your business well throughout its life.

Then you won’t have to go to the trouble and expense of renaming and re-branding your business after it is already established.

You may also want to see How To Allocate Start-up Funds For A New Business, and  Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?

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Submitted to Article Directories 5-05-08:
Business Name Ideas

This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 11:14 pm and is filed under Small Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.