How Do I Come Up With a Good Company Name?

In seven steps to the perfect name for your company

Coming up with a good company name is part of starting a company. And preferably one that immediately impresses and lingers with customers. But how do you choose a good name for your company and what should you take into account?

1. Be clear

Whether you build websites or run a bakery; make sure your name clearly reflects which product or service you offer. You can do this simply by literally adding your ‘species name’ to your company name. So ‘Internet agency Way2Web’ or ‘Bakery van Zwieten’. It then immediately becomes clear to customers what you are offering or selling. Serial entrepreneur Floris Venneman recommends: “Make sure you have a name that says exactly what you do or doesn’t do at all, so that you have to explain the connection. It is often not something in between. ”

2. Provide creativity

A striking name sticks with customers and makes you easier to find on the internet . How original your name can be, however, does depend on the activities of your company. A broker will be less playful with his company name than a layout and design agency. Being creative on command, many entrepreneurs have difficulty with that. Spruce up with other entrepreneurs, award a competition via social media or hire a professional.

3. Avoid duplication

Are you not a star in coming up with a name and do you think you can make it easy for yourself by being inspired by other names? Beware, your company name should not resemble an existing one too much. If you call your neighborhood supermarket ‘C2000’, for example, you can expect objections. Also remember that your name should not be misleading. Are you self-employed, but do you call your company Samson & amp; Partners then this can cause problems. You can check whether your name resembles a trademark in the trademark register of the BOIP (Benelux Office for Intellectual Property).

4. Don’t make your name too funny

Don’t confuse creativity with humor. Don’t make your name too funny, because a ‘too’ funny company name can give the impression that you do not handle your profession professionally and do not take assignments too seriously.

5. Give your name space

Make sure you don’t frame your business activities too much with your name, otherwise you will never be asked for other services. With a broader name, you also reach a larger target group.

6. Test your name

Satisfied with the name you came up with? Test whether others think he is as genius as you do. Ask family members and friends, but also the entrepreneurs from your network, what association they make when they hear the name. Take their feedback seriously, because if they have any doubts, your future customers will too.

7. Check your name

Check your name in the Trade Register . You cannot choose a name that someone else already has. Taco Carlier experienced this with his company name MOOF. “That name was already forgiven. We decided to make it VANMOOF. In the beginning we were not satisfied with the name change, but after hearing it many times, I started to like it more and more. ”

Also check the availability of your intended domain name . It is a shame if you have found a good name, but cannot link it to a suitable URL.