| With all that's written about selecting a domain name, I | | | | "mom-and-pop-sie." But this depends on the business. If |
| thought I would address the ART of selecting a name | | | | you are selling something that demands this mood or |
| for your business. It's by no means an easy task or | | | | theme to appeal to your market, it's okay to use this |
| one that should be taken lightly. So here we go. | | | | approach. |
| Ask 500 people, already in business, how they decided | | | | Names like, "Sensible Solutions", "Direct Defenders", |
| upon their business name and you will get 500 | | | | "Moonlighters Ink", "Printer's Friend", "Strictly Class", |
| different answers. Everyone has a story behind how | | | | "Collections and Treasures", and "Starlight on Twilight" |
| they chose their business name. Even if the business is | | | | are all good examples of catchy names. These types |
| named after their own birth name, there's probably a | | | | of names relate to your product or service but serve |
| reason why this was done. | | | | as a type of slogan for your business. This is a big |
| When you open a business, in a sense, you are giving | | | | help when marketing. |
| birth. This new birth was created from an idea by you | | | | When you name a child, you may not decide upon a |
| or your associates. It will have its own bank account, | | | | definite name until after they are born. Hospital |
| it's own federal identification number, it's own credit | | | | nurseries are loaded with "Boy" Smith and "Girl" Jones |
| accounts, it's own income and it's own bills. On paper, it | | | | name tags. You do this because a name is sometimes |
| is another individual! Just as if you were choosing a | | | | associated with a type of personality. Somehow, I |
| name for an unborn child, you need to spend | | | | don't think Tarzan and Jane got the message, "Boy"? |
| considerable time in deciding upon your business name. | | | | (dah!). When you name a business you may need to |
| There are several reasons why a good business | | | | wait until you have a product or service to sell and |
| name is vitally important to your business. The first | | | | then decide upon a business name before going into |
| obvious reason is because it is the initial identification to | | | | the business itself because your business name should |
| your customers. No one would want to do business | | | | give some clue as to what product or service you are |
| with someone if they didn't have a company name | | | | selling. A business named "Joe's Collections" normally |
| yet. This makes you look like an amateur who is very | | | | wouldn't sell car parts and a business named "Charlie |
| unreliable. Even if you call your company "Bill's Lawn | | | | Horse" would not sell knitting supplies. |
| Service", a company name has been established and | | | | To generate ideas - begin looking at business signs |
| you are indeed a company. People will therefore feel | | | | everywhere you go. Notice which ones catch your |
| more comfortable dealing with you. | | | | eye and stick in your mind. Try and figure out "why" |
| Secondly, a business name normally is an indication as | | | | they stuck in your mind. Naturally, the business |
| to the product or service you offer. "Joan's Typing | | | | "Dominos Pizza" sticks in your mind because it is |
| Service", "Karate Club for Men", "Jim-Dandy | | | | nationally known. These don't count! Look around and |
| Jack-of-all-Trades", "Main Street Laundry", "Missy's Gift | | | | notice the smaller businesses. Take your time. Within a |
| Boutique" and "Star Publishers" are all examples of | | | | few days you should be able to come up with a few |
| simple business names that immediately tell the | | | | potential business names. |
| customer what product you offer. | | | | Then, when you finally find a few names you really like |
| However, most people will choose the simple | | | | - try reciting them to other people and get their opinion. |
| approach when naming their business. They use their | | | | It won't be long until your business will have the proper |
| name, their spouse's name, their children's names or a | | | | name that will carry it through it's life! |
| combination of these names when naming a business. | | | | A final thought. Are they kidding? What your company |
| The national hamburger-restaurant chain "Wendy's" | | | | does or long product description, domain names? |
| was named after, owner, Dave's daughter. Actually, | | | | Try (and enter it without a typo)? |
| research has proven that these "cutesy" names are | | | | Well maybe it's just me; but what happened to KISS |
| not the best names to use for a business. Many | | | | (Keep It Simple Stupid)? |
| experts claim that it makes the business look too | | | | |