Creating a Business Name and Logo

For many entrepreneurs, building a successful startup begins with an idea for a product or a service. You may not turn your attention to a name and logo until weeks or months later, and when you do, you may be uncertain about how to proceed. Avoid making the creation of  a name and logo an afterthought. Your company’s name and logo could greatly shape how the public perceives your startup.

Choosing  a name

The name of your startup should align as  closely as possible with your business strategy. Before you commit to a name,  consider your industry, as well as how this potential name will help you grow  your company.

Ensure your preferred name is not already in use. It is also wise to conduct research within your industry to verify that no competitor has a name that sounds similar to yours. Your goal is to be unique and be memorable, rather than blending in and sounding like a number of other company names.

Think about length. If possible, aim for two or three syllables – names like Apple, Dropbox, Google, Twitter, and Yahoo  roll off the tongue.

Try to avoid names that your customers can  easily mispronounce or misspell. Your goal is to create a unified brand. If  your clients can’t find you online or struggle to share your name with their  friends, you run the risk of diluting your brand.

Field-test possible names with your  network of family, friends, former colleagues, etc. Brainstorming with your  team is a great first step, but approval from the general public is powerful.  When you pitch potential names, note your network’s instinctive reactions, as  their gut feelings could reflect how your startup’s new name and logo are  perceived when they are launched.

Choosing  a logo

Your logo is just as crucial as your name.  This symbol is the ultimate form of instant recognition, and a bit of careful  thought now can pay dividends in the future.

Consider all the different media that your  logo will be printed on. This could include email signatures, envelopes,  letterhead, and social media websites. Also think about all the physical  products your logo might be printed on, such as product packaging and apparel.  Will your design suit all of these forms?

Use coloring and gradients with care. You  may not be able to print your logo in full color at all times, so try testing  it in grayscale. If your design relies on many colors or gradients, it may not  translate well to black and white.

Balance detail and simplicity. A busy logo  can be difficult to remember, and the perfect design is easily recognizable and  memorable. Intricate logos are also hard to accurately reproduce when you  shrink them for letterhead use or mobile webpages, or when you have to stitch  designs onto apparel.

The act of naming is powerful, and it can  impact the future of your business significantly. Your name and logo form an  identity that, when carefully selected, can help you build brand recognition  and a solid footing in your industry.

To read the entire article, go to: http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckcohn/2014/12/03/how-to-decide-on-a-name-and-logo-for-your-startup/