It takes 5-7 impressions to start building brand awareness. It means you must develop a recognizable brand, or it could take longer.
The goal of brand naming an eCommerce store is to capture the attention of potential customers. It’s essential to have a name that stands out among most other online shops.
This blog will break down every point and tell you how to develop a brand name for your business in simple steps.
What is a brand name?
Your company name should ideally be easy to remember and give customers some insight into your business.
When you establish your business, having a solid brand name gives you an immediate edge. The incorrect name may cost millions of dollars in workarounds and lost revenue over the business’s life.”
You’ve worked hard to establish your company, but now you need a name! Take your time to develop a catchy name that accurately defines what you sell or provide. It helps if it’s memorable and catchy. By choosing the right word and conducting research, you can make connecting with customers and grow your business simpler.
What is BackRub?
In early 1995, two Stanford graduate students began developing a new technique for indexing online pages. This “search engine” employed a proprietary algorithm to map out all links entering and exiting a web page. They called this search engine “BackRub” internally.
BackRub had outgrown Stanford University’s servers by 1996. The two students were allowed to sell the algorithm or turn it into a business.
Luckily for the internet, they chose the latter. The first thing they did was alter the name. “BackRub” evolved into “Google,” a pun on the mathematical word “googol.”
You already know how the remainder of the tale ends.
How to create a brand name?
“Why don’t you BackRub (Google) it?” you might ask.
Very likely not.
The name Google had a key role in the search engine’s success. It’s brief, unusual, easy to say, memorable, and simple to type. Unlike its competitors at the time, such as Lycos and AltaVista, it may also be made into a verb. That’s a significant result for a company that provides an activity (searching).
(Consider saying “simply Lycos it” — doesn’t seem quite right, does it?)
Many studies have proven that brand names have a significant impact on how clients view your company:
72% of the best brand names are made-up words or acronyms. Words that mean nothing other than your business name automatically increase brand strength.
According to one study, the brand names of items offered in a store did not affect customers’ risk perception when shopping. Consumers, on the other hand, sensed greater risk if the store’s brand image was poor.
Another study discovered that if consumers have a favorable opinion of the shop brand, they are more willing to pay more for the store’s brands.
According to collaborative research conducted by the University of Miami and California Polytechnic Institute, the business name and the quality of products are the two most essential elements of a store’s overall perception.
It is why, according to Sean Parker, Mark Zuckerberg should “remove the ‘The’” from Facebook; your name is significantly more essential than you know.
How to choose a brand name?
What is the first thing people notice about your business? It’s all in the name, of course! A creative, relevant, and unique business name will ensure immediate identification. On the other hand, selecting such a firm name is a complicated science that few have achieved.
Only 18% of consumers say they would positively perceive a brand name change, meaning once you solidify your brand, you should stick with it.
Your company name represents your values, views, and the benefits customers may gain from interacting with your brand. What does summarizing all of this data take into a single word or phrase?
Let us help you create a business name that is original, distinct, and precisely expressive of what you stand for.
Define
Your brand is how your customers see and experience your business. It must reflect your values, personality, and mission.
To define your brand, consider why you started your business and what makes it special. Consider what problem your business solves and what values guide your decisions.
Think about your customers’ feelings when interacting with your business. Once you know what your brand stands for, you can create messaging that communicates it clearly to your customers.
The most important thing is to stay true to your values and create a brand that resonates with your customers.
Keep it simple
When starting a business, keeping things basic and straightforward is essential.
Being transparent in your business fosters customer loyalty. 94% of consumers say they’re more likely to be loyal to a brand that offers complete transparency.
It is also true when it comes to naming your brand.
While looking for a memorable name for your business, you should make it simple for people to remember.
It is essential when you consider that it might take up to seven impressions – or seven times when a customer sees or interacts with a brand – for them to recall your company name.
That’s a lot of money.
It equates to seven Facebook advertisements or seven Instagram posts.
Furthermore, adopting a long or complex business name in the first place can make it much more difficult for your audience to remember your brand.
As a result, it’s no wonder that the names of some of the world’s most famous brands are typically only one word long.
They keep things simple because they want to be remembered.
Whenever feasible, simplify
Consider Forbes’ list of the world’s most valuable brands:
The most valuable brands, or almost all of the world’s greatest brands, share one distinguishing feature: they are straightforward to pronounce. They are either 1-4 syllables long or are used in reduced form (such as IBM or GE for General Electric).
There are two advantages to simplifying your brand name:
Brief, simple-to-pronounce brand names are easy to remember.
More straightforward names are more accessible to translate between languages, which is critical for e-commerce companies.
According to research on company names undertaken at Hong Kong Baptist University, brand success can be influenced by the ease of pronunciation.
Experiment with alliteration
To create a memorable name, combine two words that begin with the same letter. One of the terms should be related to your industry or product. Then, combine them with a term that adds value or appeal.
Alliterative titles are generally more straightforward to recall.
For example, if you offer high-quality linens and bedding, you may title your shop Luxury Linens. For example, you may label a cutting-edge clothes store, Fashion Forward.
Have a meaningful name
After you’ve gotten your creative juices flowing, we recommend striving to express meaning with your business name.
We’re not saying you should be very abstract with your business name since most people won’t understand the connection.
Consider it seriously.
Consumers will be able to tell right away what you have to offer. You may be as particular or as broad as you like. For example, to tell buyers precisely what you sell, you could name your store The Tea Trade Company.
Most people do not associate the Nike emblem with the Greek goddess of triumph, even though she inspired the company’s name.
Likewise, you can guarantee the ordinary person doesn’t look at Nivea skin cream and say, “Well, that’s white because it’s called after the Latin word Niveus, which means ‘snow-white.’”
We’re not suggesting you go down the rabbit hole of attempting to uncover a meaningful significance for your company’s name.
Check to see whether the domain name is available
Finally, before choosing a name, check whether the same domain is available in a popular extension.
Unless you’re expressly targeting a local nation market outside India, your extension selection should be prioritized as follows:
.com/.co/.net/.org/.io is a domain extension (only for tech-focused brands)
TLD for a country (such as .de, .co .uk, .pl, .ru, etc.)
.me,.info,.tv, and other gTLDs such as .tech,.space,.fashion, etc.
You won’t go wrong with .com 99 times out of 100, so attempt to obtain the name in this extension first.
If you’re searching for a tool to check domain names, Shopify has one. You can look for domain names, see how much they cost, and buy/add them to your shop.
Apart from the domain name, you should also examine the availability of social media usernames. Employ a service like NameChk.com to search various networks for the right name simultaneously.
Top 3 examples of brand names
1. Bombshe
Bombshe is a name developed by reducing the English word “bombshell,” which denotes something sensational, exceedingly exciting, and, in contemporary language, a sex bomb – a charming lady.
They trimmed the finish to emphasize the “she” portion even more. She’s a she-bomb, a she-sensation, and a she-special. Although having origins in existing terms, that combination of two words is formed similarly to other well-known names: Facebook, WeTransfer, and PayPal, to name a few.
The client chose the name because of its distinctive, neologistic character, which adheres to current industry naming trends, and a subtle yet immediately recognizable connection to women at its core. Furthermore, the name is incredibly functional: it is melodic, memorable, and simple to spell and write down.
In this situation, They created a name that was available under the.com domain, which is now extremely easy to handle and only achievable for complex new words or after adding additional parts to the brand’s name in the URL.
In other circumstances, purchasing a .com name requires discussions with the present owner, frequently resulting in considerable financial investments.
2. Zara
It turns out that “Zara” was not the store’s original name and that the nickname was created by chance.
The first store, titled “Zorba,” after the famous film Zorba the Greek, was founded by Amancio Ortega in 1975 in A Corua Galicia, Spain.
But he quickly realized that a bar with an identical name was only two blocks away.
Amancio Ortega already had the letters manufactured for the original business sign, so he simply rearranged them to make the word “Zara” (in fact, the additional “a” is supposed to have come from a spare set of letters).
We couldn’t have expected that.
“Zara” doesn’t signify anything, yet we all agree it’s highly catchy.
3. H&M
It’s short for Hennes and Mauritz, as those in the know will know. But do you understand what they mean?
When the business opened in 1947, it was named Hennes, the Swedish word for ‘hers.’ Why? At the time, it solely sold women’s clothing.
In 1961, the business acquired another brand, Mauritz Widforss, which marketed hunting and fishing equipment. We realize it’s random.
As a result, it became Hennes and Mauritz and expanded into children’s and menswear.
Nevertheless, the store only adopted the shorter H&M name in 1974, and all stores were rebranded.
Make use of a company name generator
Don’t worry if you’re still struggling with a name for your company. You can always use a company name generator to help you get started.
If you’re wondering what a company name generator is, it’s relatively easy.
You can enter a phrase or keyword you like into a company name generator, which will return dozens of alternatives for you to consider for your business.
Consider what occurs when we type ‘running’ into a company name generator:
Isn’t it cool?
Of course, there’s no guarantee that all of the names generated by the company name generator are available – you’ll have to double-check that – but they’re lovely resources if you’re still stuck for ideas.
Do you want to use a company name generator? We’ve got the perfect solution for you: Shopify’s Company Name Generator. It’s free; therefore, take advantage of it while naming your company.
Conclusion
A successful brand begins with a brand name. Your target audience will have difficulty locating your business online if your name isn’t memorable. Consider your business, what you provide, and how your business name might symbolize your objective when choosing a brand name.
After you’ve found your brand name, don’t wait to register your shop name, domain name, and social media accounts. You are now ready to start constructing your brand and e-commerce business.
You may make your company stand out by following all of these tips. It makes no difference if you’ve been around for decades or are just starting to start. The correct name guarantees an immediate competitive advantage.
Alright, you now have all the tools, suggestions, and methods you need to develop a brand name for your online business, so what is the wait for?
Start your business today, and don’t forget to comment below your brand name and the story behind the name.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key considerations when deciding to create a new brand name?
When creating a new brand name, it’s crucial to ensure that the name is easy to remember and reflects your business. It should also be unique and stand out from competitors.
How important is conducting thorough research about your target audience before choosing a brand name?
Conducting thorough research about your target audience is vital in helping you choose a brand name that resonates with them. It can also help you avoid selecting a name that may offend or be misunderstood by your target market.
Can I create custom t-shirt designs without any prior design experience?
Defining your brand’s values and personality in step one is significant as it sets the foundation for your brand’s messaging and communication strategy. It helps you create a brand that resonates with your customers and differentiates you from your competitors.
What examples of successful brands have effectively aligned their names with their brand identities?
Nike, Google, and Apple are some examples of successful brands that have effectively aligned their names with their brand identities. Nike’s name reflects its focus on sports and athleticism, while Apple’s signifies simplicity, sophistication, and innovation.
In step three, you mention brainstorming and generating name ideas. Can you provide tips on how to come up with creative and memorable brand names ?
Consider using made-up words, acronyms, or combining words to create creative and memorable brand names. Brainstorming with a group of people can also help generate a diverse range of ideas. Additionally, you can use online tools such as name generators to spark inspiration.
With over 6+ years of experience in the industry, Ayushi excels in building strong customer relationships and guiding clients toward growth as a Brand Partnership Manager. She enjoys sharing her experience in her content.
