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Seven Business Names - Ideas For A Name That Lasts A Lifetime

By Linda P. Morton

Follow these seven business name ideas, and you'll never have the expense of renaming your business.

Seven business names ideas that will help you get it right the first time include:

Business Names: Idea 1 - Start with many name options.

Business Names: Idea 2 - Select a name that matches your business.

Business Names: Idea 3 - Select a name that allows expansion of your business.

Business Names: Idea 4 - Choose a name that makes a positive impression on your business' target market.

Business Names: Idea 5 - Assure that name options are available.

Business Names: Idea 6 - Query your target market.

Business Names: Idea 7 - Consider the connotations and sound of the words for each option.

Business Names: Idea 1 - Start With Many Name Options

Start with lots of business names. Ideas will be eliminated as you process through to determining the best one. So make a long list of name options. Ten options will do, but more are better.

Business Names: Idea 2 - Choose A Name That Reflects Your Business

If you are fortunate enough that your name reflects your business well, or if you have name recognition, you can label your business with your name. Otherwise don't do it.

If your last name is "Small" and you specialize in renting small equipment, then you can use "Small Equipment Rental." However, if you want to also rent large equipment, it will limit you.

Business Names: Idea 3 - Select A Name That Allows Expansion Of Your Business.

Don't choose a name that won't grow and expand with your business. Your business name's ideas should be broad enough to cover expansion.

To exemplify business name ideas two and three, let me tell you what I did. When I started my business in 2000, I named it Sulton Books. Sulton is a blend of my and my husband's last names. "Sulton" portrayed no message to add to the business name and "Books" limited my business to books.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the name developed a negative connotation. So I had to change it, incurring additional expenses. I renamed it "Best Books Plus," which enhances the business and incorporates more than books.

Business Names: Idea 4 - Select A Name That Leaves A Positive Image With Your Target Market

You need to know as much as possible about your target market so you can select a final name that leaves a positive impression with target market members.

Still don't select a name that is so specific to your target market that you can't expand into new markets later. You don't want to have to rename your business in order to expand it in anyway.

Business Names: Idea 5 - Assure That Name Options Are Available

You need research to assure that none of your business name ideas are already taken.

You can search for trademarks that use any of you name options at the United States Patent and Trademark Office site. Eliminate all options that are a part of a trademark name to assure that you don't get sued and have to change your name later.

Business Names: Idea 6 - Conduct Target Market Research

It's time to try your name options on members of your target market. Get as many as you can to tell you which name options they like best and what comes to mind with each option.

While you're at it, show them your product and get their reactions to it. Sometimes their reactions will provide new name ideas.

Business Names: Idea 7 - Learn The Connotations And Hear The Sounds Of Each Name

A good business name will create a positive image of your business. It also sounds good.

You also need to know the connotation of each word for the culture of your target market. A positive name in one culture can be negative in another.

You don't want to make the mistake of a major American car company who named a model "Nova". When they attempted to sell it overseas, they learned that the name there meant "No Go". Obviously they didn't sell many there.

Summary

By using these seven business name ideas, you will never have to pick another name for your business.

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