Why Your B2B SaaS Company Name Matters More Than You Think

 

Starting a B2B SaaS company is an exciting venture. You have a great idea, a strong team, and a solid business plan, but now it’s time to pick a name. Naming your company is a crucial decision to make or break your success. Your company name is your identity, brand, and first impression. This blog post will provide seven tips for creating the perfect name for your B2B SaaS company.

Introduction

Before diving into the tips, let’s start with a real-life story. In the early 2000s, a B2B SaaS company named SalesForce was launched. The company had a simple goal: to help businesses manage their customer relationships. At the time, the idea was groundbreaking, and the company was able to establish itself as a leader in the industry quickly. However, the name “SalesForce” wasn’t always an obvious choice. The company’s founder, Marc Benioff, originally planned to name it “Software.com.” Fortunately, his marketing team convinced him to go with “SalesForce,” and the rest is history.

What is a B2B SaaS Company?

A B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) company is a business that provides software solutions to other businesses. These solutions are typically web-based, meaning they are accessible through a web browser. B2B SaaS companies often charge a monthly or yearly subscription fee for access to their software.

Starting a B2B SaaS Company

Starting a B2B SaaS company can be a complex process; naming your company is just one piece of the puzzle. Before you can name your company, you’ll need to have a solid business plan in place. This plan should include your target audience, pricing strategy, and revenue projections. You’ll also need to decide on your company’s branding, messaging, and visual identity.

Tip 1: Don’t Pick a Name that is Close to Competitors

When choosing a name for your B2B SaaS company, it’s important to ensure it is not too similar to your competitors’ names. This can confuse potential customers and make it difficult for your company to stand out in a crowded market. Additionally, you want to avoid potential legal issues with trademark infringement. Generate and brainstorm naming ideas that are unique and distinct from your competitors.

Tip 2: Make Your Name Web-Friendly

In today’s digital age, choosing a web-friendly name is essential. This means a name that is easy to spell, remember, and type into a web browser. Avoid names that are too long, complicated, or similar to other web domains.

Tip 3: Pick a Name That is Consistent with Your Brand

Your company name should be consistent with your brand. It should reflect your company’s values, personality, and vision. For example, if your company is focused on innovation and disruption, you might choose a unique and unconventional name. If your company is focused on reliability and trust, you might desire a more traditional and straightforward name.

Tip 4: Acquire the Name, Legally

Before you settle on a name, it’s essential to make sure that you can acquire it legally. This entails verifying the availability of trademarks, domain names, and social media handles. You want to avoid investing time and money into building your brand only to discover that you can’t use your chosen name.

Tip 5: Try Testing

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential names, performing audience testing is essential. This means getting feedback from your target audience to see which names resonate with them the most. You can gather this feedback through online surveys, focus groups, or social media polls.

Tip 6: Create an Exceptionally Memorable Name

A memorable name sticks in people’s minds long after they’ve heard it. This can be challenging, but there are a few styles of names that tend to be more memorable than others:

  • Descriptive Names: These names describe what your company does or what problem it solves. Examples include HubSpot, QuickBooks, and Shopify.
  • Invented Names: These names are entirely made up and have no meaning on their own. Examples include Google, Twitter, and Uber.
  • Evocative Names: These names evoke a feeling or emotion related to your company’s brand. Examples include Evernote, Slack, and Dropbox.
  • Acronym Names: These names are made up of initials or abbreviations. Examples include IBM, SAP, and SAS.

Tip 7: Get Feedback

Before you finalize your name, it’s crucial to test it. This means getting feedback from a variety of sources, including friends, family, industry experts, and potential customers. You can also test your name through online surveys or focus groups. This feedback can help refine your name and ensure it resonates with your target audience.

Conclusion

Naming your B2B SaaS company is a critical decision that can impact your success. A good name should be web-friendly, consistent with your brand, legally available, and memorable. Following these seven tips, you can create a name reflecting your company’s vision, values, and personality. Remember, a great name is just the beginning of building a successful B2B SaaS company. With the right strategy, team, and execution, your company can achieve great things.