All Topics > Business Services > How to Name Your Business >

How to Name Your Business New York

How you choose to name your new business can impact its future financial success. If you choose well, potential customers will find you, identify with you, and buy from you. If you choose poorly, you'll confuse potential customers and suppliers, and thus ultimately hurt your business. So don't take naming lightly but rather use a well-thought, disciplined approach to get your business off the ground.

Local Companies

Time Warner Media Sales
(716) 854-9672
726 Exchange St., Ste. 522
Buffalo, NY

Travers Collins & Company
(716) 842-2222 ext. 315
726 Exchange St., Ste. 500
Buffalo, NY

The Buffalo News
(716) 849-3434
One News Plaza
Buffalo, NY

Direct Ad Displays/Driscolls Video
(716) 372-6476
830 N. Union Stre
Olean, NY

Council of Industry
(845) 565-1355
6 Albany Post Road
Newburgh, NY

Times Herald-Record
(845) 341-1100, ex 6031
40 Mulberry Street
Middletown, NY

Q-Search, Inc.
(845) 296-1176
Hollowbrook Office Park 11 Marshall Road, Suite 1M
Wappingers Falls, NY

Finger Lakes Media Strategies
607-280-3840
159 Snyder Hill Rd.
Ithaca, NY

10 Advertising Inc
(212) 206-3944
22 W 21st St
New York, NY

Direct Marketers on Call, Inc.
(212) 691-1942
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY

Steps

I. Discovery Process

Write down the overall customer experience you expect your current and future products and services will provide.
Write down the key benefits of your products and services
Write down down the features of your key products and services

II. Brainstorm a List of Well Over 100 Names

Assemble a group of at least 10 persons, i.e. customers, staff, friends, family, etc.
Set a rule for the brainstorming session that everyone suspend judgment on any name ideas suggested. The key to good brainstorming is freedom to create a list of ideas inspired at the moment, not to immediately choose the perfect name.
Start by brainstorming names around the benefit, features, and customer experience.
Go broader and brainstorm names around intuitive and associative feelings around the benefit, features, and customer experience i.e. visual, audio, smell, touch, taste.
Ask participants what imaginary or visceral associations come to mind when they think of your business or product benefits. For example, when you think of your product, does it make you think of a cool calm sea? A tiger? Relief? Bitter taste?
Ask participants why they suggested the ideas above, and continue to build names from their inspiration.

III. Pass an Initial Filter for Your Brainstormed Names

Avoid names that are more than 2 or 3 syllables
Eliminate names that are difficult to pronounce or spell
Delete names that cannot be trademarked or are too generic
Watch out for names that limit the potential scope of your current and future business

IV. Pass a Second Filter for Remaining Brainstormed Names

Take out names where an internet domain name is not available
Eliminate names that are already trademarked in your industry
Choose names that differentiate you from competitors, but connect well with potential customers
Highlight names that allow the potential growth of your company

V. Make the Decision

Discuss the pros and cons of your final list of names with colleagues, staff, friends, family, potential customers.
Proudly say each name aloud and see if it resonates with you
Choose the name.

Related wikiHows

Start a Small Business

Sources and Citations

Practical Business Tips & Ideas (original author and source)

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Name Your Business. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Featured Local Company

Time Warner Media Sales

(716) 854-9672
726 Exchange St., Ste. 522
Buffalo, NY

Read more about How to Name Your Business

- How to Build Business Credit New York

Venturing in a business is a significant step in securing one?s future. However, starting a business or running a business is not as easy as it may seem. There are many challenges that an aspiring entrepreneur must face if he wants to succeed. But many of these challenges or trials can be avoided or overcome with proper planning and preparation.

- How to Easily Build Business Credit New York
- How to Obtain a Business License New York
- Professional Logo New York
- How to Start a Business New York
- Benefits of a Home Business New York
- Business Cards for Promotion New York
- How to Properly Use a Business Card New York
- Business Card Etiquette New York
- Applying for a Small Business Loan New York

Regional Articles

- How to Obtain a Business License New York

This is a guide on how to start up a business and obtain licenses required for your state.

- Business Cards for Promotion New York
- How to Properly Use a Business Card New York
- Applying for a Small Business Loan New York
- Professional Logo New York
- How to Start a Business New York
- How to Easily Build Business Credit New York
- Business Card Etiquette New York
- Benefits of a Home Business New York
- How to Build Business Credit New York

Related Local Events

Cooperstown Farmers' Market
Dates: 11/21/2009 - 11/21/2009
Location:
Cooperstown, NY
View Details

Indoor Yard Sale
Dates: 11/21/2009 - 11/21/2009
Location: Sands-Willets House
Port Washington, NY
View Details

Weekly Chamber Meeting
Dates: 11/25/2009 - 11/25/2009
Location: Hulbert House
Boonville, NY
View Details

Weekly Chamber Meeting
Dates: 11/27/2009 - 11/27/2009
Location: Hulbert House
Boonville, NY
View Details

Cooperstown Farmers' Market
Dates: 11/28/2009 - 11/28/2009
Location:
Cooperstown, NY
View Details

Advertising	Education	Internet
Business Services	Family	Legal
Careers & Work	Financial Services	Real Estate
Cars	Health	Software
Computing & Technology	Home Services	Telecommunications
Construction	Insurance

Advertising	Construction	Health	Legal
Business Services	Education	Home Services	Real Estate
Careers & Work	Family	Insurance	Software
Cars	Financial Services	Internet	Telecommunications
Computing & Technology

Searching...