Since writing “7 Rules When Naming Your Business,” several discussions have emerged that have added six additional rules founders should follow when naming their business.
1. Become a verb. Of course, the goal of every business is to have the company name become a verb. When we want to search the internet, we don’t say “bing it” or “yahoo it” – we say “google it.”
2. Start with the beginning of the alphabet. It is always good to have a name that starts with a letter closer to the start of the alphabet. In the days dominated by the Yellow Pages, companies would use names like AAA Plumbing to make sure they appeared at the beginning of the category. Today, with internet searches, the ability to appear at the top of a list is dependent on many factors and many companies no longer consider names that start with a letter closer to the start of the alphabet as important. However, rest assured that someday your business will be listed in a directory. For instance, you’ll be in a directory when you have a booth at an expo. Having a business name that starts with a letter closer to the beginning of the alphabet will help you appear at the top of the list.
3. Do not include a number in your name. The question in everyone’s mind is whether the number is a numeral or if it’s spelled out. Businesses with a number in their name, and subsequent URLs, all too often have to explain how their name is spelled when talking to new customers.
4. Avoid foreign names with uncommon letter combinations in English-speaking countries. Zhuijang and Xiaomi may be common in China, but they are difficult for English-speaking people to spell much less pronounce.
5. Choose a name that starts with a capital letter. A capital letter in the middle of a sentence alerts the reader to the proper name. Having a name that does not start with a capital letter leaves the reader confused. Sure companies like “intel” and “xerox” have been re-branded to use all lower case letters, but the rule for the rest of us is to use an initial capital like Google or Coke to make them standout in the middle of the text.
6. Consider a name with all caps such as IKEA or BEST BUY to make sure your name stands out even more in the body text of your message.
Will your business name be memorable and stand out from the crowd?
