If you are just starting out in the business world, getting your brand name registration done is a big thing for your company. The happiness of being able to use the ® symbol against your company’s name is beyond words. But while you embark on this journey of selecting the right logo and getting the brand name registered, it is important that you keep away from some common yet critical mistakes. The following are a few errors that you should keep away from and tips that you must consider before you decide to apply for trademark registration.
Settle in for a good brand name:
Your brand is an extremely valuable asset to your business. As your business grows, your brand becomes more valuable even than your company’s physical assets. Thus, naming your brand well is a critical step. Out of the hundreds, if ideas you might have for your brand or company name, you have to make sure that the name is legally compliant. Selecting a generic and descriptive name may prove to be a step in the wrong direction for your brand. Generally, overly descriptive names do not form good trademarks. The classic examples are popular brand names like Kodak, Apple, Google. These registered brand names are fancy, unique, and non- descriptive. Going for such names will certainly make your brand stand out and also make the brand name trademark registration process easier. Having said this, it must be remembered that the name should be fancy and unique but not ‘forced’. If you are combining two words to make a unique name, it should not be a forced combination but a smooth and catchy one. Like Netflix (Combination of Internet and Flicks for movies).
Secure your website domain timely:
Let’s take an example- you have decided to name your hand-made chocolate brand Sweet-Tooth. Now that you want to have a website for it, you start looking for the same domain name. But guess what? Sweet-tooth.com is not available, and neither is any name closer to your brand name. The best name you can find is lovelychocolates.com. Doesn’t make sense, right? You can’t have different brand names and domain names for your website. Thus, securing an appropriate website domain name and even social media handles is important for your brand’s digital marketing strategy. For help with selecting the perfect brand name that has a corresponding domain name, you can always try Logobar- a unique platform for all your brand identity-related issues. For more information, visit: www.logobar.in
Think ahead. Select a name for the long term:
When you start off, you don’t know how your brand will shape up. You may start as a home décor enterprise and as the year's pass, may end up dealing with cosmetics products or apparel. So having a registered brand name that remains relevant even for your long-term goals is the right approach. It is best to go for a neutral or non-specific trade name. For example: ‘Beautiful Home Décor’ is quite specific. Instead, ‘Grace’ is more open-ended. Also, long and difficult to pronounce brand names must be avoided. You could have names that are not descriptive but suggestive of what your company does. For example: ‘Frooti’ is a fruit-based beverage brand. Suggestive names help people to make out what your company does and relate more with your brand, especially if your brand is new in the market.
To sum it up, your brand name should be:
- Distinctive and memorable
- Easy to understand and pronounce
- Meaningful and preferably suggestive
- Available for trademark protection
- Communicative and can have a logo or design that corresponds with the name
- Have a positive connotation
- Remain relevant in future
Your brand name will become the identity of your business. So, take your time to decide the perfect name for your brand. The right name may just suddenly pop up in your mind or might need some brainstorming sessions. Taking ideas from well-established firms and popular startups can be a good way to start. However, ensuring creativity along with legal compliance throughout the process will make things easier for you in the future.
