great post. i was just sitting hear trying to think of a name for a new start up. this helps to assure my name choice. i am kinda new at this does anyone know were to find a web designer that could build a interface similar to the one that digg uses along with technorati. dont worry im not going to copy digg, i believe that i have an idea that is totally different, but similar. if anything i believe it would compliment digg.
michaelczhang
· 11 months ago
Jon,
Take a look at oDesk. We interviewed them a while back and their service is solid.
ron raf
· 11 months ago
Nice article, bad grammer. (=
jonfromtx
· 11 months ago
sounds good, i hate to keep getting off track but is it possible to get funding for those types of services with just a great idea. hope im not getting to far off topic.
Ivan Minic
· 11 months ago
Nice tips ;)
jonfromtx
· 11 months ago
does anyone in the blogging world have proper grammer
now that i have secured my domain name i feel comfortable telling you all. www.blogbandy.com
bandy
–verb (used with object) 1. to pass from one to another or back and forth; give and take; trade; exchange: to bandy blows; to bandy words. 2. to throw or strike to and fro or from side to side, as a ball in tennis. 3. to circulate freely: to bandy gossip.
you think its a good name, it fits your criteria
Scott Tadman
· 11 months ago
Another thing to consider is how popular the name is in Google, since so many clueless users will type your domain name into the search box instead of the address bar.
Getting the top slot is imperative in my books. It is amusing how many sites pop up instead when you click "I'm Feeling Lucky". SEO people are crazy.
jonfromtx
· 11 months ago
if you google "I'm Feeling Lucky". most stuff comes up google related
Undertypo
· 11 months ago
Very good information. So between .com, .net, and .org, which one will make a better choice?
michaelczhang
· 11 months ago
If a friend tells you of a web service, which extension would you try first in your browser?
Always go with .com.
If you're still not convinced, read this article by Alexa.
There's one little problem with choosing a good name: it's very hard to find a short simple .com domain. Virtually all single word .coms are gone. Most combinations of 2 short or relevant words are taken. Even most catchy, short and easy-to-say made up words I tried were taken. Here's one I just made up: http://tyrop.com/ oh look it's in use. After a long search I found http://bla.st/ - It's nice and short but suffers from the "unusual factor". Some people try and type .com onto the end of it. It's also hard to say, as you have to explain the domain to people. What to do about it? There must be a good solution out there. Perhaps more global, non-specific top level domains?
Keith
· 11 months ago
Nowadays, short TLD names are extremely hard to get. Buying them is way far more expensive. Not to good, unless if you have known, could have invested on it 10 years ago.
How about hum.com? Short, sweet, meaningful, easy to remember.
And it's available.
Stevan L
· 11 months ago
Nice guidelines, but i wouldn't stick to them religiously. Google, Yahoo, delicious, eBay nor Amazon have names that relate even remotely to the market they're in
yaph
· 11 months ago
Nice read. I especially like section 2 and 7.
Bonekhan
· 11 months ago
Intellegent, well put, and helpful. Well done on this--I'm sure it is a very helpful resource for those in this position.
-Corey (aka Bonekhan)
_asais
· 11 months ago
Useful post! Thanks for the info!
Jimblake
· 11 months ago
I ran across showing.com the other day, and I'm surprised that it's even available.
Jimblake
· 11 months ago
Jimblake,
From what I can see, showing.com has been registered since March of 1996...
By available, maybe you mean it's for sale. Yes, it's being sold via Sedo right now, but the price will be much, much more than registration fee.
John
· 11 months ago
Guys, what do you think about the name Jobcloud?
It is a web2.0 job portal where anyone can post Gigs for free.
It's a solid name john. Definitely fits these guidelines.
Good luck.
Jim
· 11 months ago
I agree with this but the problem is some one needs to deviate from the norm of creating unusually different 2 syllable company names. Otherwise we will just become clones of each other.
It has a longer name but they incorporate it as part of their logo.
Silicon Valley Blogger
· 11 months ago
Great tips. One other thing -- make sure the name is available. If not, make sure you have a list of potential names you are prepared to buy from someone else. Be willing to pay at most $4K for a good name but no more than that.
The main tool checks domain availability as you type. Very fast!
kyle
· 11 months ago
LOL I loved number 5!!!
dayoadefila
· 4 months ago
Definitely good advise to start off with - though one must mix and match to suit ones own situation like mine! Thanks
dayoadefila
· 4 months ago
Definitely useful advice from folksonomy and all you guys - i have been in a spot for a few weeks over some name choices I am exploring. Tnx.
Silver Atoll Design
· 3 months ago
Nice article. This has enlighten me on what to keep in mind when naming web 2.0 startups, and also it applies well for any corporate naming.
web development Rochester
· 2 months ago
I couldn't agree more with what you had indicated in your post, originality is a must but we also need to ensure that people can easily remember our site, making it more catchy is highly recommended.
If you have decided that you need a good website for your business,the next step is to decide who should create it.This decision is one that needs a lot of attention because if on the one hand, a well-organized and attractive web design can help you tremendously in making more money; on the other hand,a poorly designed website can cost you money, drive away customers, and can hurt your company reputation.
FTA Files
· 1 month ago
Once a name has gone from one person’s mouth to another person’s ear, there shouldn’t be any confusion as to how its spelled when typed into a browser.
New Energy
· 1 week ago
When the time is right to naming your web 2.0 startup? Unfortunately, they did not manage to survive for that long to see the right time.
Allergy Immune
· 1 week ago
It’s complicated of course the factors involved in the success or failure of a start-up project. But it’s obvious, when you open up a business, you plan your income sources and the more sources of income, the better it is.
All Comments
Great post and good advice.
Of course you forgot to mention the advice about trying to make sure that your domain name has 50% more O's than Google and Yahoo!
Though, I'm not sure Google and Yahoo would be better of if they had chosen Gooogle and Yahooo as their names.
Dicovered your blog from here in Toronto via Google Blog Search using phrase "startups, web 2.0".
I like the name of your blog and enjoyed reading your article on naming tips for startups. Will check out your web 2.0 initiative.
Best wishes for success in your studies.
oh.. and Cool screenshot BTW..
;-)
For anyone who doesn't know, the logo arrangement was from a screenshot of
http://go2web20.net/
Now I think it's time to change the name of folksonomy.org
which seems to break every rule.
Take a look at oDesk. We interviewed them a while back and their service is solid.
No one who blogs knows how to talk good.
Jon, you should read http://blog.guykawasaki.com
www.blogbandy.com
bandy
–verb (used with object) 1. to pass from one to another or back and forth; give and take; trade; exchange: to bandy blows; to bandy words.
2. to throw or strike to and fro or from side to side, as a ball in tennis.
3. to circulate freely: to bandy gossip.
you think its a good name, it fits your criteria
Getting the top slot is imperative in my books. It is amusing how many sites pop up instead when you click "I'm Feeling Lucky". SEO people are crazy.
So between .com, .net, and .org, which one will make a better choice?
Always go with .com.
If you're still not convinced, read this article by Alexa.
http://awis.blogspot.com/2006/07/distribution-o...
After a long search I found http://bla.st/ - It's nice and short but suffers from the "unusual factor". Some people try and type .com onto the end of it. It's also hard to say, as you have to explain the domain to people.
What to do about it? There must be a good solution out there. Perhaps more global, non-specific top level domains?
And it's available.
-Corey (aka Bonekhan)
From what I can see, showing.com has been registered since March of 1996...
By available, maybe you mean it's for sale. Yes, it's being sold via Sedo right now, but the price will be much, much more than registration fee.
It is a web2.0 job portal where anyone can post Gigs for free.
It can be found at www.jobcloud.com
Check it out and let me know what you think
Good luck.
I personally like http://whatsonmybookshelf.com
It has a longer name but they incorporate it as part of their logo.
The main tool checks domain availability as you type. Very fast!
If you have decided that you need a good website for your business,the next step is to decide who should create it.This decision is one that needs a lot of attention because if on the one hand, a well-organized and attractive web design can help you tremendously in making more money; on the other hand,a poorly designed website can cost you money, drive away customers, and can hurt your company reputation.