What's In a Name?
September 4th 2006 12:56
Picking a name for your business is as stressful as naming your first born child. Unfortunately, there are no ‘100 Top Names to Name Your Business’ books in publish at the moment.
Your business name should make a statement to your customers. It should be catchy and original.
In Australia, you can operate under your own name without registering your business name, provided you don’t add to it.
For example, you could name your plumbing business ‘Pete Smith’ without registering the name and paying a registration fee. However, if you called the business ‘Pete The Plumber Smith’, you would need to register this name.
Choosing your own name for your business does give credibility, however, it also limits the consumer’s perception of your business. For instance, ‘Pete Smith’ does not immediately give you an idea that it is a plumbing business.
If you choose to name your business anything other than your own name, you will need to do an ASIC search to ascertain whether the name is currently in use. Sometimes, searching the ASIC site and looking at other business names can help give you ideas for your own.
Before picking your business name, it’s also advisable that you do a domain search. It’s convenient for customers if your business name is the same as or similar to your e-mail address and website.
Your business name should be something that you feel entirely comfortable with, if you have doubts about your name then reconsider it. You may like to run your proposed name past family and friends and gauge the reactions and if possible, potential customers.
If you’re really stuck with choosing a name or re-naming your business, you could run a naming competition with your customers. This will also act as a marketing strategy. Ask them to submit a suitable business name and offer a prize for the winning name. At the end of the competition, you’ll not only have a business name but a large number of names and addresses of potential clients. Have a naming day and send them a pamphlet offering discounts on the ‘naming day’ only.
Regardless of how you choose your name, or what name you eventually choose, never ever order your stationery or business cards to be printed unless you are 100% sure you have the name you want.
Your business name should make a statement to your customers. It should be catchy and original.
In Australia, you can operate under your own name without registering your business name, provided you don’t add to it.
For example, you could name your plumbing business ‘Pete Smith’ without registering the name and paying a registration fee. However, if you called the business ‘Pete The Plumber Smith’, you would need to register this name.
Choosing your own name for your business does give credibility, however, it also limits the consumer’s perception of your business. For instance, ‘Pete Smith’ does not immediately give you an idea that it is a plumbing business.
If you choose to name your business anything other than your own name, you will need to do an ASIC search to ascertain whether the name is currently in use. Sometimes, searching the ASIC site and looking at other business names can help give you ideas for your own.
Before picking your business name, it’s also advisable that you do a domain search. It’s convenient for customers if your business name is the same as or similar to your e-mail address and website.
Your business name should be something that you feel entirely comfortable with, if you have doubts about your name then reconsider it. You may like to run your proposed name past family and friends and gauge the reactions and if possible, potential customers.
If you’re really stuck with choosing a name or re-naming your business, you could run a naming competition with your customers. This will also act as a marketing strategy. Ask them to submit a suitable business name and offer a prize for the winning name. At the end of the competition, you’ll not only have a business name but a large number of names and addresses of potential clients. Have a naming day and send them a pamphlet offering discounts on the ‘naming day’ only.
Regardless of how you choose your name, or what name you eventually choose, never ever order your stationery or business cards to be printed unless you are 100% sure you have the name you want.
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Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Comment by Wendi
My son and I were discussing the name of a restaurant yesterday. It's name? TOOTS! I can't help but think they should have Gax-X on the dessert menu!