10 replies to this topic

[sammiecat]

I am trying to come up with a compelling biz name, not too cute, but not too sterile.

Ideas?

Offering SEO/SEM services.

[Jill]

That's a pretty loaded question. I think people would need way more info to go on than just the fact that you're an SEO/SEM company What's your USP?

[radhika]

Just do a search on google for "domain name suggestion" tools or sites etc.

You will get many sites suggesting variations of many words.

[WSO]

I agree with Jill. I will say this, however, and some people agree or disagree. When we chose a name, I wanted to make sure the exact name was available in a domain. So for example, if you were contemplating the name "Spacely Sprockets" for your company's name, I would only make it that if spacelysprockets.com (or perhaps another tld) were available. I don't say that from an SEO standpoint--I know that's a highly debated topic on whether the url provides a boost or not. I just feel it's important because the company name will typically become a brand, and people who know that's the name of your company will tend to assume that the url is the same. So if spacelysprockets.com is taken, I'd look to change it slightly--perhaps to "Astro Sprockets", or "Coswell Cogs", assuming one of those would be available.

[Christopher]

Do a search for web 2.0 name generator

[solidgold]

I think something really '2.0' would be cool; something along the lines of 'zebu' or anything equally hard to spell

[bullet_prove]

when it come to company name or brand, just stick with it for your domain. You also can use company motivate words like nike..www.justdoit.com. So, everyone know this domain is related with nike brand.

[LeftoverJoe]

www.nameboy.com has a great domain name generator. I use them to find all kinds of combinations of keywords. You can specify for them to pull together words with or without hyphens as well. It's a great research tool. You can register your domain through them too, but I usually go elsewhere because I can get them cheaper. But, it's worth a look to just get the naming bit down.

I also agree with Tom...domain naming and branding can be powerful when they are synchronized. It helps the consumer to see that flow between them and it makes it easier for people to find you. Now is the time to be patient, find something that you can grow with, and not rush into naming yourself before you have thought it through.

Cheers, and good luck!

[John H]

I agree with Jill. I will say this, however, and some people agree or disagree. When we chose a name, I wanted to make sure the exact name was available in a domain. So for example, if you were contemplating the name "Spacely Sprockets" for your company's name, I would only make it that if spacelysprockets.com (or perhaps another tld) were available. I don't say that from an SEO standpoint--I know that's a highly debated topic on whether the url provides a boost or not. I just feel it's important because the company name will typically become a brand, and people who know that's the name of your company will tend to assume that the url is the same. So if spacelysprockets.com is taken, I'd look to change it slightly--perhaps to "Astro Sprockets", or "Coswell Cogs", assuming one of those would be available.

I agree 100%. We did the same thing when selecting our company name. It took a few months but at the end I like the name of our company so much more than some of the early ones who already had a domain name selected. Good Luck,

John

[Alex Choo]

I believe the key to a good business name is that people know what you do when they hear it.

You can do that by combining words. For example, Microsoft is actually Microcomputer Software.

You can also form names by combining the function of your business with the outcome. For example, Profitable Plots is a nice way to tell people they'll make money buying land.

I called my business WP Text Ads, because my product enables WordPress bloggers to sell text ads directly to advertisers.

But you do not need a snazzy or cool-sounding name. Keep it simple and recognizable. Boring, easy to remember and meaningful names are best.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Alex

[adybee]

I believe the key to a good business name is that people know what you do when they hear it.

You can do that by combining words. For example, Microsoft is actually Microcomputer Software.

You can also form names by combining the function of your business with the outcome. For example, Profitable Plots is a nice way to tell people they'll make money buying land.

I called my business WP Text Ads, because my product enables WordPress bloggers to sell text ads directly to advertisers.

But you do not need a snazzy or cool-sounding name. Keep it simple and recognizable. Boring, easy to remember and meaningful names are best.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Alex

Best example out there at the moment - Facebook