Have you noticed how many startups are sporting wacky names? Around 20 years ago, Yahoo and Google started the trend. Was it because names like International Business Machine (IBM) or United Parcel Service (UPS) were no longer cool, or was it something else? According to Lindsay Gellman of WSJ, it looks like internet real estate has a lot to do with it. Names like ShowDog.com aren't available, but ShoDogg.com is, hence the name of a brand new startup.

 

As new quirky names become popular, you need to be wary of listener confusion. In other words, if your business is named FanZShamanZ and pronounced Fancy Schmancy, prospects are going to struggle to find you. Yes, you will have that perfect URL, but as your name spreads around by word of mouth, people will not easily (or ever) find you on a Google search. Take it from me. I named my book Pumpkin Plan, yet people constantly search for Pumpkin Patch—a real challenge when it comes to marketing a book, or any product or service for that matter.

 

[WSJ]