Deciding on a name for your new business can be difficult and stressful. You want a name that that captures the essence of what you are providing. You want a name that stands out from a crowd of competitors. Most of all, you want a name that will remain relevant for years to come.
No wonder they're so hard to come by. Fortunately, some rules do apply, and these can help you decide upon a name if none in the below list fit the bill. In this article, you'll find:
- 101 cafe and coffee shop name ideas
- Rules and general tips to follow when deciding on a name
- Tips when it comes to brainstorming about your business' name
Rules of Choosing an Effective Business Name
Some names are both memorable and simple.
Some names are both memorable and simple.
Here we go. Choosing a name for your new cafe or coffee shop shouldn't be that hard. But you do want to get it right. So, I've compiled the following list of general rules for naming a business:
A business name should be memorable and lasting
The perfect name should roll off your prospective customers' tongues. It should be easy to spell and pronounce, because the best publicity of a business can often be found through word-of-mouth. If adoring customers can't tell all their friends about the great service they received at Joe Blogg's Patisserie and Coffee Shop, they might just talk about Starbucks instead.
Having an easy-to-spell name also makes it easier for potential customers to find you in a phone book or business directory.
A business name should have a visual component
A business name should be accompanied by a complementary visual element. This is different from connotations, which will be discussed below. This will help build affinity with customers — who can now relate a name to an image and vice-versa — and help develop a business brand.
Many people also find it easier to remember an image rather than a name. However, this can work in your favour as well as against it, which brings me to the next rule.
A business name should have positive connotations
If the image you've decided to combine with your business name brings about a negative emotional reaction from your potential customers, they are less likely to eventually become your customers.
This relates to colours as well as anything the business logo represents. If you have a cafe concept in your head that involves heavy use of the colour black and bright pink, this may dissuade customers from stepping inside to have a cup of joe. If by contrast your logo is a warm brown and depicts a lady delicately sipping a coffee, this would seem comparatively more inviting.
Pretty simple stuff. If you operate a legal firm, you don't want a name such as "Lilac Legal Affairs" that will undermine the serious nature of the business. You should prefer a name that conveys strength to your customers, such as "Rockwell Solicitors." Notice how both names convey strong metal imagery.
A business name should tell customers what you do
A good business name should need no explanation. Without being too boring or explicit (No name such as "My Cafe" would suffice), a name should tell a customer what good or service you provide, and invite them in to spend money.
This also makes your business easier to find. By having a name that conveys what your business does (whether this is architecture, legal work, or landscaping), a name that includes the service you provide is easier to find in a phonebook or online, and easy for the average customer to identify.
Brainstorming Your Own Business Names
In case none of the 101 cafe and coffee shop names appeal to you, here is a short guide on how you can come up with one by yourself. You have the rules already, you have the business concept, and now you only need to know how to capture the perfect idea on paper.
- Keep it simple. When deciding upon a name for your business, keep it simple. Keep it short and descriptive, and choose a name that will convey what you do.
- Make it relevant. Make sure you choose a name that relates specifically to your business model or theme. If you have a Parisian theme, use a name that evokes thoughts and emotions about France. If you specialise in espresso-making, and your name happens to be Joe, consider a name such as "Espresso Joe's."
- Incorporate your own name. On that prior note, you can also incorporate your own name into the business. This builds a reputation for your business, and conveys ideas about a small business with personalised service straight from the owner or manager.
- Use your surroundings. This adds a local and relatable touch. If you live in a town named Stonefair, consider naming your business "The Stonefair Cafe," for example.
Ask Others for a Second Opinion
Last but not least, always seek the advice of others before deciding upon a name for your cafe or coffee shop. It is sometimes possible to miss the forest through all the trees, or become too emotionally invested in choosing a name.
Getting someone else's opinion can be a breath of fresh air, and is sometimes necessary to create some distance between "the best idea for a coffee shop name you've ever had" and just a genuinely good name.
An Important Note: Double-Check Your Name
Espresso foam art, like snowflakes, are one of a kind. Unfortunately, cafe names are not.
Espresso foam art, like snowflakes, are one of a kind. Unfortunately, cafe names are not.
One final, but important note: double-check to make sure your name isn't already being used.
While I have made every effort to think of unique names, it is very possible that some of them are already taken by other businesses, especially in such a competitive industry as coffee shops. Be prepared for the possibility that you find the perfect name, only to find that it has already been registered. Don't fret, though, there are many more out there.
Good luck and have fun!
Source: Hubpages