Everything is different in the digital age, including how we name our businesses. Business names must be a balance of unique but easy to remember, creative but simple, and catchy but branded. Beyond the name, it must be digital-friendly and easy to brand on your website or retail store signage. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Catchy And Memorable
Begin by brainstorming a list of words or phrases that you want your business name to convey. Don’t focus too much yet on the specifics. Also, pop online and perform both local and nationwide research of the names of similar businesses.
Write down the business names that are catchy and memorable, not to copy, but for inspiration. Determine what it is you like about each name and why. Then you can start getting a bit more specific around your own digital retail signage.
Creative But Simple
The best business names are creative but simple. They express your brand and personality and speak to your target audience. Coffee shops are an excellent source of inspiration for creativity. For example:
- Boston Barista
- Wide Awake Café
- Jacked Up Coffee
- Grind House
- Deja Brew
- Brewed Awakening
Even when “coffee” isn’t in the name and even if it’s a full-on café or restaurant, these business names are memorable. They will also look great on digital, print, and retail store signage.
As you may have noticed in the list above, most business names are between 1 and 3 words, so short and sweet are better.
Unique But Easy To Spell
Most modern businesses should not be a personal name, but instead unique. While nostalgic and hopeful of a business passed down through the generations, a last-name-based business name or “and sons” won’t engage in the digital age.
It’s not that your audience doesn’t support family businesses, but that they want to connect and engage with you at every level—including your business name. Like everything, there are exceptions to this rule. Clothing designers, art-based businesses, and personal brands for life coaches and trainers may name their business by their first and/or last name.
Feel free to misspell a word, such as “Krispy Kreme Doughnuts” or “Froot Loops” if it makes your name unique. And even consider some one-of-a-kind names like “Netflix” or “Grammarly”, but don’t get so unique that it’s not easy to spell, Google, or remember.
Targeted But Not Limited
The key to sustainability is to allow your business to evolve, preferably without having to change your business name at some point down the road. So, focus on a targeted name, but not so targeted that you can’t easily expand.
For example, Amazon began by selling books and now sells just about everything. If the original name had been too targeted, such as “Digital Reads”, expanding beyond books would have required a name change and loss of brand recognition.
Legal Availability
Selecting your business name is a process, and you should have at least a few names in the final running. Before you get your heart too set on a specific name, check to see if it is legally available. Also, if there are any other businesses in the area with a similar name. Look beyond your competitors, as there may be a business in a completely different industry with a name your new business could be confused with.
This includes checking to see if you can register your business name as an LLC (or whatever you prefer to register it as) as well as if the name you are considering is trademarked elsewhere in the country or world.
Digital Availability
Now that you have a few names that have made it past the legal phase, it’s time to think of turning your ideas into digital retail signage and branding. Check to ensure:
- That you can purchase “YourBusinessName.com”. Yes, you have other options besides .com but .com is most memorable. In some cases, you may need to purchase the business name you want from a private domain broker for a higher price point.
- That your exact business name is available on all preferred social media channels. This means you may need to perform market research to determine what social channels your demographic frequents.
- That your online-only business name (and maybe even your brick and mortar business name) is keyword rich. For example, “Chicago Food Tours” contains the keyword “food tours”. Again, balance adding keywords so that you aren’t too limiting but that you prioritize organic search results.
Easy To Brand
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to reach out to a branding expert, who may also be able to help you select a business name. Before they begin designing, share the names you are considering and inquire which will be easier to create a branded logo, online thumbnail, and digital and retail store signage for. For example, if one of the names you are considering is too wordy, they may eliminate it, shorten it, or revise it. Trust your branding team as this is what they do.
For sign design ideas, our digital graphics team here at MEGA, will provide you with free designs to start your sign off.
Consumer Feedback
Another thing your branding team may be able to assist with is generating consumer feedback to determine if your target audience finds your business name engaging. It’s easy to get so excited about what you want, but you must find a name that excites both you and your demographic.
Business Name Generating Tools
In addition to your personal brainstorming and brand expert’s input, consider hiring a company that specializes in naming businesses or utilize free business name generating tools such as Namelix.com, Naminum.com, or BusinessNameGenerator.com. Even if these free tools don’t help you name your business, they can send you in the right direction.
Looking For Digital Retail Store Signage For Your New Business?
As you can see, living in the digital age brings with it a few unique considerations when naming your business. Once your business name is selected, you will need to have multiple types of online, digital, and retail store signage designed.
One of the fastest-growing types of business and retail store signage are LED signs. These vibrant displays are modern and impossible to miss. They empower you to post everything from text to creative ads, motion graphics, photos, videos, and more. Reach out to Mega LED Technology today to learn more!
