You’ve just started your new small business, exciting times are ahead, now the big question is what are you going to name it? I would recommend a brainstorming session to write down as many potential business names as you can think of. From this list create a short list of your top five names. Make sure you follow the tips below to help in naming your new small business.
Business naming tips
- A unique name they will remember. You need a name that will stand out from the crowd, one that’s both memorable and unique.
- Keep it simple. You don’t want it to be complicated, select a name that will be easy to remember.
- Use correct spelling. Keep to conventional spelling, you don’t want to have to say “Kwik Kopy, but with a K” over, and over again. My name is Marc, trust me on this one.
- Communicate what your business is all about. Pick a name that makes sense with what your business does.
- Read it out loud. Does it roll off the tongue, can it be confused with something else? Pete’s Submarines sounded like Pizza Marines on their radio ads. Today they are known as Subway.
- Choose a name you like. It’s your business, find a name that you are happy with. Ask friends and family for input, but you will live with this business, so choose the name you like!
Is your new business name available?
Great, you have a short list of names you like. Now to see if they are taken. Your business name needs to be unique. Here are the 3 steps to checking your business name availability:
- Just Google it. Seems like the right place to start, just Google the name you would like, if your getting a lot of results, maybe think that it might just be unique enough.
- Check domains. Great if you can get a .com, but don’t be surprised if someone has beaten you to it. You can always try .com.au. This can be better if you only plan to do business in Australia, but you will need to have your ABN registered to get an Australian domain. domains.google
- Check ABN lookup. This is a must! You will need to make sure that you are not going to be infringing on someone else's trading name. abr.business.gov.au
- Social Media Pages. Don’t get too caught up with social media pages, most likely your ideal name will be taken. However, with social media being world wide, and if you are going to be targeting local business this isn’t much of a drama.
Register your new business name
Cool, you have your shiny new unique, simple and memorable business name all ready to go. You have done your due diligence and found out that no one else in Australia is using a similar name. Now, time to lock it in.
