A brand name is more than just a logo. It’s the sum of all your company’s marketing and messaging, from website design to social media strategy.
And although a logo may be the first thing people see when they look at your company, it isn’t the only aspect that creates your brand appearance.
In fact, one of the essential aspects of branding is also one of the least visible, which is your brand name.
What is a Brand Name?
A brand name is what people call you, and it’s your business identity and an expression that your customers remember you by.
Your logo may be the face of your brand, but it’s not the whole thing. In fact, if you think about it, your brand name is probably more important than your logo because this is what people will use to identify with you—and remember you by.
An excellent example is Apple Computer vs. Apple Incorporated (the tech giant’s parent company).
The first one sounds much more appealing than the second one and has an overall better feel to branding and marketing yourself as a company/organization online or offline.
image: type-ed.com
What Makes a Good Brand Name?
Tips to consider when deciding to make your business brand name are:
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Try to Make it Memorable.
When it comes to your brand’s name, there are a few key points that you should consider. First, the title should be memorable.
Why? Because people will remember your brand’s name when they hear it and see it in print, which is how most people are introduced to brands.
Second, the name must be accessible for others to spell and pronounce. It also needs to be easy for you (and others) who might use this word often on social media or other digital platforms where typos are common.
Lastly, make sure the word isn’t too long or short, or hard or soft sounding: all of these details will make your logo stand out from its competitors.
image: everything-pr.com
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Make it Unique.
We’ve all seen similar logos and names that make it hard to tell them apart. Your brand should stand out, but you don’t want it to be so different that people won’t know what your company is about or what your product does.
Avoid using the exact words as your competitors, whether they’re direct competitors or not. Customers are bombarded with options and information every day.
And if they see two brands touting themselves as “the best,” they’ll pick the one that seems most confident in its superiority over all others.
For a brand name to grab customers’ attention and stick in their minds, it has to be unique while still being straightforward enough that customers can understand what it means without having contact with a marketing copywriter first.
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Avoid Legal Issues.
Your brand name is EVERYTHING. The right name can decide the difference between success and failure, popularity and obscurity.
You’ve got to make sure your brand’s name is unique and memorable, but you also don’t want to get into legal trouble with it. Here are some tips for avoiding that:
- Be sure no one else has already used the same name for their business (or at least check out their website)
- Make sure the domain name you have in mind is available before buying it.
- Check to make sure your brand’s logo doesn’t infringe on any trademarks or copyrights.
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Check on Social Media Availability.
Social media is a great way to connect with your customers and build your brand, but it’s essential to make sure that the name you want isn’t already taken.
If you want to use a term that has been used before, try adding a prefix or suffix, which will allow you to keep the same general sound of the original word.
What Do the Best Brands in the World Have in Common?
The most successful global brands have one thing in common: they’re memorable. Brands that are easy to pronounce and pronounceable are more likely to be remembered by your target audience, which means they will significantly impact your bottom line.
More importantly, choosing a brand with these characteristics is more than just picking something that sounds good.
It’s about creating an experience for your customers and building an emotional connection with them so they’ll keep coming back for more.
Conclusion.
As you can see, a brand name is just as important as a logo. In fact, it might even be more critical.
If you’re looking to create an online presence or start a business, choosing the right brand name is an essential step toward success. After all, branding should be viewed as part of the entire marketing strategy.
Contact us at any time if you need help coming up with names for your company or brand.
