Naming your programming business is a hugely important part of launching your new company. It is one of the first things your potential clients learn about your programming business. The name should draw people in and sum up what programming services you offer and what sets it apart from your competition.
Although coming up with a name is always challenging, it doesn’t have to feel like you’re stepping off the edge of a cliff while blindfolded. Choosing a business name should be fun and enjoyable. With the three stages laid out below, you can structure your ideas and get the most out of your name.
Step One: Mission of Your Company
Create your brand
When picking a name for your programming business, it helps to write down all of your ideas. It is smart to create a document where you can refer back to all throughout your naming process. In this document, be sure to write down any key aspects of your programming brand. What does your business do? What are your values and why are you passionate about your work? Passion is a key element because if potential clients sense that you don’t care about your own brand, they will likely question why they should care about it.
A great exercise is to jot down a few existing programming business names that you really like. For example, there are Cleveroad, Iflexion, and Matellio. Even though these programming businesses offer slightly different services, it’s important to note what you like about the names and if you are trying to achieve a similar feel to any of these.
Once you have created a list of seven to ten of your top programming business names, then you can begin to dissect them. Pick apart what you like and dislike about each name. After you’ve dissected the list you should notice a few business name ideas that really stand out to you. You can then write a few bullet points about what you like about your top names and why it works for that specific programming company.
Define your audience
A programming business that builds professional websites will sound nothing like a mobile game app development programming business, and there’s a reason for that difference. Your brand name should not just focus on your company, it should focus on who you are selling to. Successful business names will really focus on a target audience and draw them in with their values.
An example of a great company name is Google. Google promotes creativity while still devoting time and resources to science. The name of their brand encapsulates their values perfectly because the name is very creative but also almost sounds like it could be a scientific term. The name is youthful, technological and modern, and it perfectly aligns with their audience’s values.
Step Two: Be Creative
The basics
Now that you have all of your example name ideas in one place and you’ve decided what kind of names you like, you can begin the fun part of the process. It’s time to start brainstorming name ideas.
It’s a good idea to start with the basic principles of a good programming business name. A solid name should be simple to say and easy to spell. If clients have a tough time remembering your brand, they probably will stop sharing it. And if clients stop sharing your brand with family and friends that could really stunt your brand’s success.
Brainstorm some names
This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process! All you need to do is write down every name you can think of that could fit the brand you want your business to reflect. Don’t worry about whether your ideas are good or bad, just write down all of the names that you can think of.
It’s best to start broad when making your list. Names can be explanatory, intellectual, emotional, or classic. You can even join two separate words to form a name. Or if you don’t want to combine words, you can have two words as your name.
Choose from your list
Now that you have a long list of name ideas, you can start crossing off names that don’t work for your brand. Keep crossing off names until you have a list of five or six names left that you really like. This is a good time to ask friends and family for their opinions on your top name choices.
When you ask your friends and family about your brand names, don’t simply ask “Which of these names do you like the most?” Instead, frame your question without bias by asking of “Which programming business would you want to learn more about?”
Step Three: Check your Domain
Obtain your domain and assess your risk
A solid domain name complements a good programming business name. In addition, trademark validation in brand naming for your programming business name is another key component to consider. But make sure that you run a trademark risk test to ensure that your name isn’t already taken by a similar business.
Summary
Creating a strong name for your programming business can appear to be a daunting task at first. So much of your business’s success rests on a name. The name should be the sum of your brand’s identity, a point of connection between you and your potential clients. It might feel like you have no good ideas, but don’t worry, the perfect name for your programming business is definitely out there! All you have to do is follow the three simple stages and you’re on your way to finding the perfect name!
Grant Polachek is the Director of Marketing at Inc 500 company Squadhelp.com, the worlds #1 naming platform, with nearly 20,000 customers from the smallest startups across the globe to the largest corporations including Nestle, Philips, Hilton, Pepsi, and AutoNation. Get inspired by exploring these winning business name ideas.
