What are some general rules for naming a business?

Question

My gf, her brother and I are starting a business, going to be doing a little of everything from flipping houses to remodeling to being landlords.

They came up with a name that is hard to spell, hard to say,etc. I remember a while back talking to a business teacher who said never name a business with letters like AC Construction, it's not memorable and too easy to confuse letters. I was wonderign what some other general rules of naming a business are?

I'm thinking of thigns like easy to spell and say so if someone calls an operator they can figure it out or if someone wants to look you up on the internet they can do that or if someone recommends you tyhe person they recommended you to will know how to spell it to find you. You have any other general rules?

Answer 1

Look at the top businesses that have become powerful global brands and analyze their names:

Pepsi

Coca Cola

Amazon

Yahoo

Google

Ikea

Nokia

Microsoft

Dell

Canon

Most are short. They are not keyword driven but unique names that are easy to remember -- and pronounce and spell. Keep it under 6 letters if you can

Avoid numbers - People may not remember the numbers or whether the numbers are spelled out.

Pick a name with verb potential - This is my favorite tip especially if you have dreams of becoming the next Google, whose name has become a verb ("google" the term).

Sound different - You don't want to be confused with another product or brand that sounds so alike your name (e.g. Claris, Clarins, Claritin and Claria).

Answer 2

AC Construction may be a very good name if you have a business where you expect to get a lot of business from the Yellow Pages. That's why many companies have alternate names like AAAA Furnance Repair.