Choosing a Name for Your Online Business

Choosing a name for your online business is extremely important. It will be a reflection of who you are, what you do, and a launching pad for building a brand.

It takes years to create a good brand, but you can have a creative brand name in seconds.

As of 2014, there were anywhere from 12-24 million online stores available for people to browse on the Internet. Today, that number is undoubtedly higher, especially thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and many businesses changing the ways in which they operate.

There are many benefits to starting an online business. You don’t have to worry about overhead or paying for a brick and mortar business. You can hire fewer employees, and you’re in charge of how your business and brand looks online, from your website to your social media presence.

But, the first thing you need to decide upon is a name for your online business. It’s not something to take lightly. In fact, your name will end up meaning more to your brand than you might realise.

So, how can you make sure you’re choosing the right name to build a successful business from?

1. A Name That Stands Out

You don’t want to make things overly-complicated with your name. Choose something short and simple that represents who you are and what you do. Think about brands like Google or Apple. They’re some of the top corporations in the world with the simplest of names. But, because they are so easy to remember, they stand out.

It’s also okay to be a bit “different” when you’re choosing your name. After all, Google never actually meant anything until the business itself brought it into existence. Now, it’s an actual verb!

Try to come up with a name that reflects a specific niche. Avoid using words that others within that niche frequently use. Once you have a few ideas in mind, be sure to write them down, and then you can start narrowing. It’s always a good idea to have a list of 5-6 names before you start narrowing, so you don’t feel completely defeated if one of the names on your list isn’t available.

2. Keeping Track of Your Digital Presence

Once you have a few names picked out, it’s important to make sure the domain name is available. If it isn’t, you might have to go back to square one or choose a different option from your list.

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to determine whether a domain name is available using resources like Stablepoint. With just a few clicks, you’ll be able to tell whether your desired domain is already in use by someone else.

Even if the domain name is available, that doesn’t necessarily mean the business name you’ve chosen is unique. It’s a good idea to check social media platforms like Facebook to make sure your business name isn’t already in use. People can create Facebook pages in a matter of minutes. Even if they don’t keep them active, you don’t ever want your business to get confused with a page of the same name.

There are over 2.7 billion active monthly users on Facebook. So, if you have a new business and you’re trying to compete with an established company with the same name, chances are you’re not going to get the presence you’re looking for. The same, of course, goes for any social media platform. Your goal should always be for your online business to be an original and unique presence, not to compete with someone else who is using the same name. That kind of competition simply isn’t worth it, and it tells you from the start that the particular name you wanted might not be as unique as you originally thought.

The Business of Branding

It’s important to understand that your online business name is the first impression people will have of you. If you’re just starting out, your name is a direct reflection of your brand. Let’s use the example of Google once more. When you hear that word, you undoubtedly start thinking about search engines, big corporations, or maybe even the last thing you looked for online.

Google has mastered the art of the online business name to become a fixture in people’s minds. Your goal should be to do the same, no matter how big or small your business may be. Customers will recognise you and create an idea in their minds of who you are just by your name, alone. If it’s not appealing, they may not even give you a chance.

So, if you’re considering an online business but you aren’t sure where to start, take some time and seriously consider what your name should be. Don’t be afraid to do your research and ask for opinions.

Feel free to use our domain name search tool, you can directly find what domain names are available or taken (i.e .com, .co.uk and the list goes on).