Picking a Business Name

by Julia Derby
http://www.my-home-business-ideas.com

Picking a business name takes time and thought! We know from experience just how important it is to select the right business name. These are a selection of the top tips for finding a winning business name.

Choosing a fictitious business name

This is a doing business as or trade name. If you use anything other than your full legal name in your business name it is considered a fictitious or doing business as name. Since most successful and catchy business names include words other than just the owner's legal name it is most likely your choice of name will be considered a fictitious name. To legally use this type of business name you need to register it. This is usually done with your state's Secretary of State offices.

The most important elements of a business name

Your name should contain a couple of keywords that relate directly to what your business does and why it is special. Names like Best Friends Dog Care, Creative Images and Glorious Gift Baskets clearly convey the message you want to send about your business. A business name like Jane Green's Gift Baskets gives no indication why customers should use your business and what makes it special.

Creating a memorable name for your business

What business names have stuck in your mind? What makes them catchy and easy to remember? Consider the great success of the business name PayPal. It makes the whole business of paying appear friendly and easy by using the word Pal. What about HotMail launched in1996? It sends the message of a fast, up-to-date, popular email service. In addition the name includes the letters HTML - the language used to write web pages. A clever extra.

Does alliteration help to make a name catchy and memorable? Alliteration has a similar quality to rhyming which helps to make a name easy to remember. If alliteration contributes meaningfully to your business name then use it but avoid creating a name that doesn't work just to include alliteration.

The same advice applies to using a play on words. A play on words is memorable if it is witty and sends the right message about your business. Take the example Heaven Scent Cleaning. This play on words works well because it is sending a positive meaningful message about the cleaning business. This cleaning business will do all your dirty work for you and leave a beautiful smelling house behind. Then take the example of "Thai Me Up"- a Thai restaurant. It tells you nothing about why you should go in and try the food there. The pun has nothing to do with food or eating. Rather use a name like "Food To Thai For". This at least sends the message that the food is good!

How will I know if I have chosen the right name for my business?

Ask friends and family what they think or feel when they hear the business name. Is the name evoking the feelings you want? Is the message you want to put out there about your business coming across in the business name?

Find out more about picking a business name that really works plus lists of potential names for different types of businesses at Business Name Ideas.

Article submitted Monday, June 13, 2011 & read 81 times.

Julia Derby has many years experience working in small business development. She left the corporate world to be a work at home mom and has successfully started and developed a number of home businesses. Her free website http://www.my-home-business-ideas.com provides good ideas and practical advice for people who want to start a home based business and enjoy all the benefits of making money at home.

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