So, you have a brilliant business idea, but you can’t seem to nail the domain name. Although your eye is constantly scanning for innovative ideas and your notepad is full of clever combinations, nothing seems to stick. As your mind goes around and around in circles trying to think of the perfectly catchy name, it continues to elude you and you are stuck scratching your head.
Choosing the right name for your business is no easy feat, and there are many ways to get it wrong. With so many e-commerce business’ opening up every day online, it is more imperative than ever to have a strong domain name that stands out from the crowd and sticks in people’s heads. Indeed, the success of your e-commerce business relies on it.
Now more than ever is the best time to start an online business as data shows that the Coronavirus pandemic has actually boosted e-commerce sales, with 16.2% growth in the first quarter alone. This is great news, however, it also means that you have many competitors and will need a strong brand name to stand out from the crowd.
At this early stage in your business as you begin to build your brand, your domain name will be one of your most important decisions. If you choose wisely, it could even be one of your most important life decisions. That is why it is important to carefully consider all of your options before deciding upon one name.
There are many different factors to consider when deciding which name to choose for your e-commerce business. To help you get started, we have a few suggestions below to help you come up with a brand name that’s right for you.
Why choosing the right domain name is so important for your e-commerce business
Many people overlook the importance of choosing the right brand name and many more underestimate the time and research that goes into creating an apt one. The process of choosing the right brand name for your e-commerce business can be lengthy and duly involve thorough research, brainstorming, testing and feedback. The process can also be iterative, and it can take many attempts before you find the perfect brand name.
However, investing time and effort into choosing the right brand name for your e-commerce business is never a waste as your brand name is the very first impression your potential customers will have of your business. Indeed, your brand name is the first thing your customers will hear and associate with your business. So, it is essential that it represents your values and core message and that you put time and effort into getting it right.
Did you know that your potential customer will make their first impression of your business in less than a half of a second? That means that they have made the decision whether or not they like your business and want to do business with you long before they even browse or test your products. Indeed, choosing the right brand name will ensure that you do not miss out on the opportunity to impress and connect with your target audience.
For example, did you know that before Google was Google it was called BackRub? Can you imagine a BackRub Mail or BackRub Suite? The adaptability and memory power of the name Google has ensured that they have outdone their competitors and grown to a company that is now valued at $581 billion. In comparison, their one-time competitor, Yahoo, is worth $68 million.
Indeed, with a little bit of creative insight and thoughtfulness you can choose the right brand name and build trust with your audience. This will allow you to be competitive in what can otherwise be an oversaturated online marketplace and build a distinctive and powerful brand.
What makes a great brand name for an e-commerce business
Imaginative
With so many brand names already snapped up on the internet, one of the most important attributes of your brand name is that it is unique. Unique brand names are the best way to ensure your domain name will be easily available online and that you won’t be left scrambling for the hyphenated or abbreviated versions. For example, Uber has nothing to do with taxis, yet it works as it is easy to remember and to search for.
Indeed, although it may take time to find a unique brand name and you will have to use your imagination, carving out your own space on the internet is one of the most important things you can do for your e-commerce business in today’s market.
SEO Optimised
As your business is going to be online, it is imperative that your brand name appears top of the search engine rankings. The last thing you want is to choose a name which your customers could confuse for one of your competitors. For this reason, it is really important that the name you choose is dissimilar to any of your competitors. It is also useful to include some keyword elements in your brand name to increase its rankings and to choose a brand name that is easy to spell so your customers do not get lost online when trying to find your business.
>> Learn more how to rank your Shopify store on first page of Google
Stickability
You know those names – the instant you hear them they stick in your head – like Nike or Apple? These stickable brand names are the ones that will stay in a customer’s mind and help a business to grow through word of mouth and instant brand recognition. Indeed, the average person can only recall so much, so it is really important that your brand name is easy to digest and instantly recognisable. This will ensure that your brand name will stick in the minds of your potential customers and that your business will be a success.
Appeals to your target audience
Your brand name reveals a lot about who you are as a company and will attract different types of people. For instance, Yves Saint Laurent appeals to a very different clientele than say Gap or Ivy Park. You need to ensure that the brand name you choose attracts your target audience and intrigues them to discover more about you what you have to offer. Indeed, your brand name should already give them a taste for the look, feel and quality of your products, even before they visit your website.
Ageless
Another important consideration when choosing your brand name is to ensure that it will stand the test of time. Your brand name needs to be ageless and display stability both in terms of the core values of your business and the quality of your products and customer service. Your customers need to know what you stand for and be able to expect the same level of service from you from one year to the next. A brand like Tommy Hilfiger is a brilliant example of this.
How to choose a name for your e-commerce business
So, now you know just what exactly you need to consider when deciding upon your brand name but just how do you choose the perfect name for your unique e-commerce business? Below is a list of the five steps you need to take to secure your perfect brand name today.
Keep it simple
Human brains are wired to perceive short names as more friendly (e.g. Chris instead of Christopher or Liz instead of Elizabeth). Not only that but we recall shorter and simpler words before complex ones and create emotional attachments to our favourite brands. So, your first step to creating the prefect brand name for your e-commerce business is to choose a name that not only rolls of the tongue but can be easily incorporated with other brand elements, such as colours and shapes, that your customers can create emotional connections with.
Use a business name generator
A simple way to come up with a brilliant brand name is to use a business name generator, such as Squadhelp. These tools provide name suggestions for your business based on relevant keywords and consumer data to help you stand out from the crowd and pick a name that will appeal to your target audience and can be a great place to begin brainstorming.
Choose a niche
Give your customers a clue as to what you are about by choosing a brand relevant to the niche that your business is in. This will help your customers identify your brand as one that is pertinent to them and allow you to attract the right audience for your e-commerce business.
Ask for feedback
Feedback on your brand name will ensure that your brand’s tone is perceived in the right way and that your name is scalable. We recommend that you avoid asking your friends and family for this feedback but instead opt to receive it from brand professionals and potential customers as they will provide functionality and customer testing rather than merely a subjective opinion.
Buy your domain
Once you have decided upon your brand name, it is essential that you snap up the domain name. The last thing you would want after all that hard work is for someone else to swoop in and purchase it. It is also important that you make sure to register your brand name with your country or state’s authorities as soon as possible to prevent anyone else from claiming it.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab that notepad and get your team in gear for a brainstorming session to generate your perfect brand name today.
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