Hey everyone! Hope you are all okay? We wanted to touch base as it's been a while since we've written a blog post! Like so many other small businesses we're trying to get back on our feet after the impact of lockdown. We are so grateful for all our clients this year, we've been super busy with lots of exciting new start ups and had the pleasure of working with so many of you on your branding.

Making the decision to start your own business is an exciting time but it can often feel a bit daunting if you're struggling to know where to start! We've put together a few top tips, which we are hoping to post (we promise!) over the coming months to help spark some inspiration if you're finding it a challenge to get the ball rolling. The biggest decision when starting your own business is your business name, so here's a few tips that we've come up with to help you on your way.

1 - Be clear!

Be clear about what you are selling? What services are your offering? Who are your customers? What is your unique selling point? What is your business all about? Can you summarise your business in a couple of sentences?

2 - Brainstorm

Write down all the words and phrases that relate to what you do. Use a thesaurus (list of words and their meanings - not a type of dinosaur!) to find synonyms for the words you've come up with as this will generate more words for your company's name.

3 - Combinations

Try out different combinations of those words. You could use alliteration (PayPal), place two words together (Fitbit) or merge your words to make new words (Pinterest). Ask Friends and family their opinions and make a note of the ones you like!

4 - The rules

Visit gov.uk for the rules on naming a limited company, sole trader business and business partnership in the U.K.

5 - Availability

Check that the name isn't already taken. Pop your business name into Google and see what comes up. Check social media sites, domain names, company house and the trademark register. If it's already taken then you will have to go back to the drawing board!

6 - Still struggling?

If you're still finding it difficult to find a name for your business then why not try using a business name generator. There are lots of free online business tools that you can use to help. Some web hosting companies, such as Shopify and Wix offer a free name generator, so why not give them a try!

Now the fun starts ...

We hope our top tips help you to get started! Once you have your business name, the fun starts, you can then create a website, promote your products and the services you offer! If we can help with any of your business branding i.e logo design, social media graphics, business cards and much more then please get in touch with us as we would love to help you!

Good luck :)

xx