Want to Start your business Strong? Do This in Your First 30 Days

One of the most overlooked first steps in the creation of a new brand or business is the thoughtful creation of the name. While Jane Doe Consulting may seem like an obvious choice, your brand name is an opportunity to tell a story, convey your personality, and more practically, save you money in hidden costs.

If you're just starting out, here are four things to keep in mind as you brainstorm the perfect name for your business:

1. consider your superpower

Your business name should be memorable, distinctive, and, if possible, unique to you. Why? A creative or well-thought-out name helps people remember you, while a generic one often fades into the background. Additionally, common phrases and names have an increased likelihood of trademark/copyright issues which can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Before you commit to something like “The Marketing Group” or “Creative Solutions LLC,” pause and ask: Could this name belong to anyone? If the answer is yes, push a little further to find something that really captures your voice and vision.

2. See If the Domain Exists

Your online presence matters a lot. Make sure you can secure a domain that matches your business name in a way that feels clean and intuitive. Ideally, this means finding a .com or another well-recognized extension that aligns directly with your name. Very often, common words, names and phrases will cost a pretty penny to purchase, if they’re even for sale.

Avoid long or clunky extensions and steer clear of unnecessary modifiers (like “the” or “get” tacked onto the front). These can confuse people or dilute your brand. The more straightforward and logical your domain, the easier it is for customers to find and trust you online.

3. Google It (Seriously!)

Before you print business cards or announce your name to the world, Google it. Look for:

• Existing businesses using the same or a similar name

• Trademark registrations (search uspto.gov if you're in the U.S.)

• Large or established companies with the name—even in unrelated industries

Why does this matter? Aside from the aforementioned risk of a trademark or copyright infringement, knowing what already exists with your name will tell you how much marketing you’ll likely have to do to get your name in Google’s search results. SEO is real. If you’re sharing a name with a major company, it could make it much harder for your audience to find you online. Doing a little research now can save you a lot of marketing headaches later.

4. Say Something About What You Do

Your name is a powerful opportunity to tell people what you do and who you do it for right from the start. If your business name offers even a hint at your superpower, your niche, or your audience, that’s less explaining you have to do later.

Clear names that convey value help customers quickly understand whether you’re the right fit for them. You don’t need to be overly literal, but you do want to make it easy for someone to see your name and think, "Yes. this might be exactly what I need."

Your name is one of your most important brand assets. Taking the time to choose something unique, available, and aligned with your future vision is a foundational step in building a strong brand and will save you time and money in marketing later.

Need help developing a name or building out a full brand identity? Let’s chat. At Doodling Pandas Creative, we help emerging businesses turn ideas into powerful, purpose-driven brands.