Start-Ups: Choosing a Business Name

What’s in a Name?

Having decided to start out in business, you will need to choose an operating name.  This is an important decision as it is the first thing that customers notice about you.

There are several factors to consider, including:

Relevance & Personalisation

• You may want to refer to your business activity so that people know from the outset what it is that you do.
• Including your location can give a local and friendly feel, but may be less appropriate if you have plans to expand.
• Including your name, in full or initials, is a popular choice. This can be a good option if you deliver the service personally e.g. management consultants.

Spelling & Presentation

• It is best to avoid names that are difficult to spell or pronounce; otherwise people will be less likely to remember you and refer your services, which is bad news for start-ups trying to get established.
• Consider how the name will look on stationery, and whether you can build a logo around it.

Uniqueness & Availability

• It is worth trying to come up with a unique name that makes you stand out from the crowd. You could try combining words or putting a spin on an existing word.  Examples of successfully coined names include LinkedIn, FaceBook and Xero.
• If you are looking to operate as a limited company, be sure to check that your desired name is not already in use. This can easily be done by a quick search on Companies House website.
• Similarly, if you want to have a website address that reflects your name, you will need to check domain availability.

Ultimately, you should choose a name that you like and that can grow with your business.

We’ll leave the choice of business name up to you, but we can help with all other aspects of running a business.  If you’re just starting out, why not book a free, initial consultation today.

Disclaimer - All information in this post was correct at time of writing.