| Congratulations! After years of dreaming about being | | | | the end of the world. |
| your own boss and signing your own paycheck, | | | | To overcome the frustration, grab a pen and a sheet |
| you've finally decided to take the plunge and start | | | | of paper and start writing down every single possible |
| your own business. In this day and age, who can | | | | name you can think of for your business. You'll be |
| blame you? | | | | tempted to leave the "bad" ideas off your list, but |
| It's a safe bet you're feeling pretty excited about all | | | | write those down as well. So-called "bad" ideas often |
| the new opportunities that lie ahead and you | | | | have a way of triggering a break-through. Just keep |
| probably have a wealth of ideas to put to use. That's | | | | writing until you have at least 25 or so possible |
| good, too, because you'll soon be facing a seemingly | | | | names. And, yes, variations count. "Super Duper |
| never-ending list of things that need to get done. All | | | | Books" and "Super Duper Book Store" are two |
| of them are important, of course, but there's one | | | | distinct ideas. |
| task in particular that you should put at the top of | | | | Now, when you have that done, take a break. Put |
| your list: a name. | | | | your list somewhere out of sight for a day or two. |
| What's in a Name? | | | | Focus your mind on other endeavors and when your |
| Believe it or not, but your business name is one of | | | | list has had time to simmer, go back and re-read it. |
| the most important decisions you'll make in these first | | | | Highlight or underline the names you like. Jot down |
| few months. What you ultimately decide to call your | | | | any other ideas that come to you. Have fun with it! |
| new business is going to affect the way your | | | | Then, when you're ready, visit your favorite domain |
| customers perceive you -- whether you're | | | | registration service and start testing your list of |
| fun-n-funky or Seriously Serious. It's important to | | | | business names. If one you like is available, get it |
| choose a name that conveys the "feel" of your | | | | registered. If you don't, you could come back a day |
| product or service and the "texture," if you will, of | | | | or two later only to find that competitor has nabbed |
| your brand identity. | | | | it. |
| If you already have a name in mind, that's great. If | | | | On the other hand, if you're not thrilled with any of |
| you don't, though, don't worry; it may actually save | | | | the names that are available, don't settle. This is your |
| you some time. Think about it: your business is going | | | | business, after all. Just go back to step one and start |
| to need a website. That website will need a domain | | | | over. Make a new list. Choose some new names. Try |
| name. And, ideally, that domain name should be the | | | | a new search. Repeat as necessary. |
| same as your business name. | | | | Call in the Reserves |
| Let's say, for example, you've decided to call your | | | | It can be a lot of work. It's worth it, but if it sounds |
| new business "Super Deluxe Widget Store." You get | | | | like too much to deal with or you just can't seem to |
| business cards printed up, you pay for a listing in the | | | | come up with any names that really strike your |
| yellow pages and then you get to work on your | | | | fancy, consider hiring a professional copywriter to |
| website. But when you go through the domain | | | | help you out. That's what copywriters are for, after |
| registration process, you find out that | | | | all: to put the right words together. |
| superdeluxewidgetstore-dot-com has already been | | | | No matter how it gets done, though, whether by |
| taken. | | | | way of sheer will or professional copywriting help, |
| I don't need to tell you how that's going to feel. | | | | make sure you give top priority to choosing a |
| Avoid an Identity Crisis | | | | business name that you can register as a domain. In |
| So how can you avoid such a disaster? Easy: when | | | | the long run, you'll be glad you did. A clear, consistent |
| you're deciding on a name for your business, confirm | | | | business identity builds credibility and significantly |
| its availability as a domain name first. You might | | | | enhances your market impact. And, besides, would a |
| discover that your first choice is available, which is | | | | business of any other name operate the same? |
| great, but it's more likely that your initial choices have | | | | © Copyright Alana Keane. All rights reserved |
| already been claimed. It can be a little depressing, | | | | worldwide. |
| especially when you're just starting out. But it's not | | | | |