Having an SEO friendly business name is vital to have a strong digital presence.
However, with millions of e-commerce companies today, coming up with a unique brand name can be a challenge.
A lot of great business names are already taken. But if you choose a more generic name, you will have to face tough competition. Also, you may need to spend more money and time boosting search engine optimization (SEO).
Taking all of the aspects into account, this article will help you understand the impact a business name can have on SEO and how to create one that suits your brand.
How Important Is A Business Name For SEO?
Company names influence search engine result page (SERP) rankings. To notice the impact, let’s look at the brand name “myjewelry” below.
Many similar results come up when you type the keyword in the search engine. If someone is interested in one of the brands, the person will be confused about which one to click due to the similarity of names. Search engines will also take more time to figure out which site is the most relevant to that search term.
Related: Ways To Boost SEO With Brand Metrics
To rank well against the intense competition, you have to optimize your website for search engines. Therefore, you should choose a catchy and less competitive business name that is easy to rank. You can use a tool like the Zyro business name generator to find the best business name for your brand.
10 Ways To Choose An SEO Friendly Business Name
Here are recommended ways to create an original and SEO friendly brand name with. We’ll also share great real-life examples and helpful business naming tools.
1- Keep It Short
Shorter names rank better on Google because they’re easy to read and understand by the system. Moreover, potential customers will remember it better too.
The rule of thumb is to choose a name with two syllables, like Dropbox or Google, or keep it between 6-12 characters.
If your business has more words, shorten it or make an attractive abbreviation. For example, Apple Computer, Inc becomes Apple, and International Business Machines is known as IBM.
Related: YouTube Channel Name Ideas
2- Use Simple Pronunciation
In 2012, a Greek yogurt company Fage lost popularity to Chobani, even though they appeared nine years before said competitor.
Confusion around Fage’s pronunciation was one of the main reasons for the brand’s failure. To point out, Fage even displays how to pronounce its name correctly on the packaging.
With this in mind, try to avoid complicated names while choosing an SEO friendly business name, so people won’t get frustrated when mispronouncing the brand name through voice search (read voice SEO) or getting misspellings when typing the web address.
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If you’re wondering whether your name is pronounceable for English speakers, check it on a vocabulary score tool. The tool generates a score from 1 to 10, and the higher score you get, the easier it is to read.
3- Make It Unique
Unique brand names mean less competition in the SERP. Ranking a high-competition name can be a challenge, so it’s safer to go for something more distinctive.
To make sure your brand name is unique, go to a brand database like WIPO Global and check its availability. Another option is to type it into the search engines or social media and see the number of results. If many similar names appear, move on to another option.
Related: How To Check Google Rankings
4- Connect It To Your Domain Name
Whichever brand name you choose, it needs to be synonymous with your logo and domain name. Consistent naming is helpful for overall branding and maintains customer trust.
After brainstorming name ideas:
- Visit a domain checker tool.
- Type the preferred name and see whether the domain is still available.
- Continue registering if you find it.
However, here are some alternatives if your dream domain name is taken.
- Buy the domain name. Check the WHOIS registry and send an offer to its current owner.
- Pick a different domain extension. Due to its popularity, many people go with the .com domain. Consider choosing another top-level domain (TLD) like .net or .shop, but think about making the name unique to avoid competition.
- Add a keyword. For instance, when you sell clothes called Variety and someone owns variety.com, go with varietyapparel.com.
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5- Make It Memorable
Remembering URLs can be a challenge, especially with the variation of TLDs. Minimize people’s effort to recall your brand name by making it memorable.
Related: Branding Cycle: Your Complete Guide
One of the creative methods to make a memorable brand name is using linguistic devices, such as:
- Phonetics. Play with sounds using intentional misspellings and a consonant or vowel repetitions, like Reddit (read it) and Coca-Cola.
- Pictographs. As a brand name is often associated with a logo or graphic composition, a right alphabet combination will help increase memorability, like IBM.
- Figures of speech. Include metaphors, synecdoches, and oxymorons. They help convey particular meanings. For instance, Piz Buin applies a metaphor as the name resembles a mountain in the Swiss Alps. The suncare brand wants to imply that their products will ensure protection wherever there’s sun, including on a mountain and beach.
6- Add Relevant Keywords
Another way to make an SEO friendly business name is to include keywords from your niche.
If you’re in the finance industry, for example, your business name can integrate a word associated with stocks, budget, investing, or insurance. In this case, Google and internet users will know what your site is about.
Related: Keyword Research Guide
For inspiration, use a popular keywords list from WordStream. It writes down relevant words from various industries, such as law, travel, and fitness.
Related: SEO Keyword Research Tools
7- Incorporate Emotions
Incorporating emotion-based words can trigger a particular feeling and create a lasting impact.
To stimulate positive emotions, use beautiful terms. For example, an insurance agent uses the word Friday. Although there’s no direct relation, the word refers to a refreshing moment before the weekend and evokes joy.
Negative words can also work to elicit emotions. The fashion company Nasty Gal catches the audience’s attention by its unique name.
Related: Most Powerful Brand Words
Still, consider global linguistics when choosing a word, especially if you aim for international markets. A real-life example is Fallas, a US thrift store. In Spanish, the word means “failures,” which results in a low percentage of Spanish people visiting the store.
8- Add A Story Behind The Name
A story can inspire an emotional reaction. It tells the motivation behind your business and shares your values.
Nike can be an excellent example. This athletic brand takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory.
When the founder traveled to Greece, he saw the goddess statue adjusting her shoes and got inspired by it. The company carries its meaning through ads and campaigns as it often collaborates with winning athletes.
Related: Building A Personal Brand (Guide)
To create a story-driven SEO friendly business name, list your company values and how you want people to perceive your brand. From there, brainstorm relevant stories and find the one that resonates with your values.
9- Use A Founder’s Background
A person’s name itself can be unique. Name your business after people around your company, like founders and partners. Examples are from fashion brands like Gucci, Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent. They use their founders’ name as the company name.
This strategy can add brand authority and effectively rank on search engines, especially if the person has a solid online presence.
Using their personal history can also be a creative way to name a brand. For instance, IKEA is the acronym of the founder, Ingvar Kamprad, along with the farm and village where the man grew up, Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd.
10- Consider Its Social Media Availability
Before naming your brand, check the name’s availability on social media. Same name across digital platforms – website, social media, or online marketplaces – helps build a consistent online presence as it will show up multiple results when people search for it.
Related: Best Tools To Measure Social Media Engagement
Conclusion
Try to come up with a brand name that is memorable, unique, and short. Also, keep it simple by integrating standard pronunciation. To add personality, incorporate a story, founder’s background, or specific keywords and emotions.
Before launching your brand name, check its availability on a domain checker tool and social media.
Also, test it to know what people think about it and gather feedback about its attractiveness or relevance.
If you’re struggling with naming your brand, consider using a business name generator. It can help to come up with excellent name ideas with minimal effort.
