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Looking For The Right Brand Name? Avoid These Common Mistakes



Because customers will come across tons of brands every day, it becomes increasingly difficult to have yours sticking to the back of their heads. The only way around this is to create a captivating brand name that stands out in your industry. This is the first step to creating a positive environment for your brand to thrive.


There are various ways to source for a brand name, including using a company that offers premium brand names for sale. Remember that your brand name determines how your business is defined and how customers see it. Therefore, you must avoid some common brand name mistakes that could tarnish your image.


4 Common Brand Name Mistakes To Avoid


1. Avoid Using Names That Have Negative Connotations


You should note that customers are very sensitive about personal and societal issues such as politics, social justice, or environmental disasters. Therefore, when naming your brand, you should take note and pick a brand name with a positive meaning rather than face these issues head-on without thinking.


You risk driving away customers when you jump in without thinking about how your brand name speaks of your brand's position on these issues. Think back to failed names like Hitler's kitchen, Spank me Santa, and Eskimo Pie, and you have an idea of how tricky brand names can be.


2. Avoid Using Names That Are Difficult To Pronounce


The next mistake to avoid is the use of long, difficult brand names that make it hard for your target audience to remember your brand. The last thing your customer needs is mental stress in an attempt to remember what your brand name sounds or looks like.


Instead, go for simpler names with syllables that are easy to pronounce. This also makes it easier for your customers to search for your brand on various social platforms.


3. Avoid Using Names That Have Unusual Foreign Meanings


This is another tricky part of brand naming. You see, the beauty about having a brand with social media presence is the global reach your brand is awarded. That means there are different people from different backgrounds and nationalities who have access to your brand.


Thus, you need to be careful not to select ambiguous brand names that are derogatory in some languages. You can simply avoid this brand name mistake by performing a proper and extensive linguistics check. This way, you avoid picking brand names with negative connotations in other languages.


4. Avoid Using Names Based On Feelings


Just like fathers and mothers take proper care when naming their children, you should put serious consideration into coming up with the perfect brand name. We all tend to get emotional about an idea or product that we feel proud of. However, this emotion shouldn't be translated into your brand name ideas, or else you'd be limiting your brand's growth.


Effects Of A Poorly Crafted Brand Name


There are many negative impacts a blunder can have on your brand; these include:


1. The inevitable rebranding of the company due to issues with the previous name

2. Threats and legal implications such as copyright infringement and lawsuits

3. Boycotts from target audience against brand products

4. The tarnishing of the brand image and reputation

5. A decrease in the performance and acceptance of the brand's products

6. Clients, investors, and partners begin losing interest and start dissociating from the brand


All these lead to increased difficulty in converting the target audience to loyal customers of your brand. Therefore, when choosing among various brand names for sale or brainstorming a name of your own, always put the customer first above every other factor. Think of the brand not as not just any item you want to sell out but as a service catering to the needs of your customers. The steps above will ensure you avoid blunders and calamities while naming your brand.


This post was written by guest writer, Grant Polachek. Grant is the head of branding for Squadhelp.com, 3X Inc 5000 startup and disruptive naming agency. Squadhelp has reviewed more than 1 million names and curated a collection of the best available names on the web today. We are also the world's leading crowdsource naming platform, supporting clients from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies.



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