You have your startup idea, you want to pick out a name, (or you already did!), but you’re doubtful. Will it put you right on top of the 1st page where you need to be? Are there other businesses with the same name? How can I claim the top spot for this domain without breaking a sweat?

Well, you’re in luck today. My name is Daniel. I lead SEO at RocketDevs and I have about 5 years of experience in SEO (not bragging…well maybe). In this article, I’ll be sharing the top SEO tips for naming your business startup. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be SEO savvy or anything. These are tips you’d find helpful right from the jump.

Top 11 SEO Tips for Naming Your Business Startup

SEO Tips for naming business startup

Here are 11 top SEO tips for naming your business startup:

Include Relevant Keywords
Keep It Short and Memorable
Check Domain Name Availability
Avoid Hyphens and Numbers
Use a Unique Name
Ensure Social Media Handle Availability
Check for Trademarks
Consider Local SEO (If Applicable)
Avoid Overused Words and Clichés
Think About Future Expansion
Test It with Google Autocomplete

1. Include Relevant Keywords

Disclaimer: Not compulsory, but definitely helpful

Including relevant keywords in your business name helps search engines understand what your business is about. When people search for services or products related to your business, having a keyword in your name increases the chances of appearing in search results.

For example, at RocketDevs, we’re the best value for developers on the web, and our hiring process is fast and efficient because our developers are pre-vetted already. This is one of the reasons we have “Rocket” included in our company name, combined with one of the most relevant keywords of our services—devs.

You have to admit that it’s both creative and SEO optimized (wink).

Practical Example

Let's say you're joining the AI train in 2025, and you are working on an AI Resume Optimizer – AI-driven resume reviews that tailor CVs to job descriptions.

Here is a list of names you should consider for the kind of service you render:

However, if you name it “Zestoria,” it doesn’t give any clue that you optimize resumes for people using AI. It’s a totally unrelated name.

Rebuttal: Most of the biggest companies in the world do not have the keywords for their services in their business names:

Here are some examples below:

Apple → apple.com (No mention of “computers” or “technology”)
Amazon → amazon.com (No mention of “books” or “e-commerce”)
Google → google.com (No mention of “search” or “ads”)
Uber → uber.com (No mention of “ride-sharing” or “transport”)
Airbnb → airbnb.com (No mention of “rentals” or “stays”)
Dropbox → dropbox.com (No mention of “cloud storage”)
Stripe → stripe.com (No mention of “payments” or “fintech”)
Slack → slack.com (No mention of “team communication” or “chat”)
Zoom → zoom.us (No mention of “video conferencing”)
Reddit → reddit.com (No mention of “social media” or “forums”)

Now, here’s a counter-rebuttal:

It’s true that big companies like Google, Apple, Uber, and Airbnb didn’t include service-related keywords in their names, but that doesn’t mean new businesses should do the same.

These companies are exceptions, not the rule. Here’s why:

Big Brands Have Huge Marketing Budgets
- Companies like Apple and Google spent millions (even billions) on branding and advertising.
- A startup doesn’t have that luxury. Including relevant keywords helps instantly communicate what your business does without needing an expensive awareness campaign.
Instant Clarity = Faster Customer Trust
- If someone sees “ResumeAI.com,” they immediately understand the service.
- Compare that to a name like “Zylo”—what does it do? No one knows until they visit the site.
- A clear, keyword-based name reduces friction in attracting first-time users.
SEO & Discoverability Matter More for Startups
- While Google ranks sites based on content, authority, and backlinks, a relevant domain name can still help with organic traffic.
- “AIResumeOptimizer.com” will naturally get clicks from people searching for an AI resume tool.
- Big brands don’t need this advantage—but startups do because they rely on organic discovery to grow.
Big Companies Didn’t Start Without Keywords Either
- Amazon started as “Amazon Books.”
- Tesla’s original domain was “TeslaMotors.com.”
- Facebook was once “TheFacebook.com.”
- Many major companies only dropped keywords after achieving brand recognition.
A Hybrid Approach Works Best
- A completely generic keyword name (like “BestResumeAI.com”) can sound boring.
- A unique but partially descriptive name works well (e.g., “Resumify,” “Jobly,” “SkillSync”).
- This gives the best of both worlds—branding potential and clear service communication.

While it is quite understandable that you have a name picked out, you also need to consider the reach potential the business name you’ve picked out will have.

The great thing is, you can eventually pick out a name that balances your choice and best SEO practice for your business name.

Bottom line? Including relevant keywords is one of the key SEO tips for naming your business startup.

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2. Keep It Short and Memorable

A short and memorable business name is easier for people to remember, type, and search for online. If your name is too long or complicated, potential customers may misspell it, forget it, or struggle to find it in search results.

A simple name improves brand recall and makes it more likely that users will return to your website or recommend it to others. Search engines also favor names that users engage with often, helping with rankings.

Practical Example

Imagine you’re launching a tech startup. A name like “TechBoost” is short, easy to remember, and clearly indicates your industry.

On the other hand, a name like “Innovative Technological Solutions Hub” is too long and difficult to recall. People might abbreviate it differently, leading to inconsistent searches and lower brand recognition.

A short and catchy name like “TechBoost” makes it easier for people to search, share, and revisit, boosting your SEO and brand visibility.

3. Check Domain Name Availability

Checking domain name availability is one of the foremost SEO tips for naming your business startup. Your website is the digital home of your business. If your business name doesn’t have an available .com domain (or a relevant alternative like .co or .net), it can confuse customers and hurt your online visibility.

When your domain matches your business name, it’s easier for people to find you through search engines. If the exact domain isn’t available, you may have to use a variation that can dilute your brand identity and SEO strength.

Practical Example

Imagine you want to name your startup “GreenTech Solutions” and plan to launch a website. If GreenTechSolutions. com is already taken, customers searching for you may end up on a different site, causing lost traffic and business.

You might have to settle for something less ideal like “GreenTech-Solutions. net” which can confuse customers and make your brand harder to find.

By checking domain availability early, you can choose a name that has a clean and available .com domain, making your business easy to find and rank in search results.

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4. Avoid Hyphens and Numbers

Hyphens and numbers make your business name harder to remember, spell, and search for online. When people hear your business name, they might not know whether to use a hyphen, spell out the number, or use digits.

Search engines also prefer simple, clean URLs without extra characters. A name without hyphens or numbers looks more professional, is easier to type, and ranks better in search results.

Practical Example

Imagine you want to name your startup “FastTech Solutions.” If the domain FastTech.com is taken, you might consider “Fast-Tech123.com.”

However, this creates problems:

People may forget the hyphen and type FastTech123.com instead.
Some may spell it as FastTechOneTwoThree.com.
Others may mistake it for another business with a similar name.

A better approach is to tweak the name creatively, like “FastTechHub.com” or “FastTechNow.com,” to keep it simple and easy to search.

5. Use a Unique Name

A unique business name helps you stand out from competitors and rank higher in search results. If your name is too common or similar to existing brands, search engines may show other businesses instead of yours.

A unique name makes it easier for customers to find you online, reduces confusion, and strengthens your brand identity. It also helps avoid legal issues, as using a name too similar to another company could lead to trademark conflicts.

The worst part? Customers won’t tell the difference between your website and other websites online with the same name, especially if the other websites offer the same service that you do. It just isn’t good for branding, reach, or lead generation.

In fact, some of your target audience will patronize your competitors thinking it’s you.

This makes choosing a unique name one of the top SEO tips for naming your business startup.

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Practical Example

Imagine you want to start a business about code review—a platform connecting developers with expert code reviewers, and you name it “Code review.” This name is too generic, and many businesses already use similar terms. If someone searches for “Best code review,” they might see dozens of different articles on code review rather than your website.

A better name would be “Code Review Marketplace” or “The Code Reviewer.” These names are unique, making it easier for your business to rank higher in search results and attract the right audience.

This is an often overlooked strategy when it comes to SEO tips for naming your business startup.

Social media is a key part of your online presence, and having consistent handles across platforms makes it easier for customers to find and engage with you.

If your business name is taken on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, you might have to use variations, which can confuse customers and weaken your brand identity. A consistent name across your website and social media helps improve your search visibility and credibility.

Besides, it doesn’t help if there are four or five brand accounts with the same social media handle as you. As much as possible, it’s important to avoid situations like this.

Practical Example

Let’s say you’re building an automated podcast editor—an AI tool that edits and enhances podcasts effortlessly. You decide to choose “PodcastEditor” as the social media handle. But when you check, @PodcastEditor is already taken on Instagram and Twitter.

You might have to use awkward variations like @the_podcasteditor or @Realpodcasteditor, making it harder for customers to find you.

By checking social media handle availability early, you can choose a name that is unique to your business, making it easier for customers to find and connect with you.

After all, at the end of the day, you want to leverage social media as well to gain visibility for your business.

7. Check for Trademarks

A trademarked name means another company legally owns it, and using it can lead to legal issues, including lawsuits or being forced to change your name.

If your business name is already trademarked, search engines might prioritize the original brand, making it harder for your website to rank. Choosing a legally available name helps you build a strong, long-term brand without the risk of rebranding later. Checking for trademarks is one of the most underrated SEO tips for naming your business startup.

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Practical Example

Imagine you want to name your startup “TechNova.” Before finalizing, you check the trademark database and find that another company has already registered “TechNova” for a similar business.

If you still use the name, you could receive a legal notice, forcing you to rebrand. This would mean losing your SEO rankings, changing your domain, and confusing customers.

A better approach would have been to tweak the name, like “NovaTech Solutions” or “TechNovaX,” ensuring it’s unique, legally safe, and SEO-friendly.

However, you also don’t want a situation where your business will forever be in the shadow of a bigger business because you share similar names. The worst part is, people may assume your business is a subsidiary of the bigger business.

8. Consider Local SEO (If Applicable)

If your business serves a specific city or region, including a location in your name can help you rank higher in local searches. When people search for services near them, search engines prioritize businesses with location-based keywords.

Adding a city or region to your business name makes it easier for local customers to find you, improves your chances of appearing in Google Maps results, and helps you compete with bigger brands in your area.

Practical Example

Imagine you’re opening a startup in Chicago that organizes events for tech influencers in Chicago, you might want to add the name of the location of your business to make you stand out on search and be easily visible to anyone searching for services related to your offerings, or exploring options.

9. Avoid Overused Words and Clichés

Using generic or overused words in your business name makes it harder to stand out. Words like “Best,” “Solutions,” or “Tech” are used by thousands of companies, making your name blend in with competitors.

Search engines prioritize unique names, so a generic one might get lost in search results. A creative, original name improves brand recognition and helps you rank higher in searches.

Practical Example

Imagine you want to start a digital marketing agency and name it “Smart Digital Solutions.” This name is too common, and many businesses use similar words, making it difficult to rank on Google.

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10. Think About Future Expansion

Your business might start with one product or service, but as it grows, you may want to expand. Choosing a name that is too specific can limit your ability to branch out into new markets.

A flexible name helps your business rank for more keywords in the future and avoids confusion if you expand beyond your original niche.

The best part? You can decide to drop off any of your keywords from your domain name when you’ve achieved global brand recognition and you’re trying to expand. Most of the big tech companies have done this.

Practical Example

Here’s why:

Branding > Description
A name should be memorable, unique, and adaptable. A keyword-based name (e.g., “AI Resume Fix”) may be descriptive, but it limits long-term brand growth. Imagine if Amazon had called itself “OnlineBooks” or Apple had stuck with “Apple Computers.”
Flexibility for Expansion
Companies evolve. If Uber had named itself “RideShareApp,” it would be harder to expand into Uber Eats and freight services. A broader, non-restrictive name allows businesses to diversify without rebranding.
Trust & Recognition
People don’t search for “search engine”—they Google it. They don’t ask for a “cloud storage service”—they trust Dropbox. A strong brand creates a category of its own rather than relying on generic keywords.
SEO is More Than a Domain Name
Keyword stuffing in domain names was useful in early SEO, but today, search engines prioritize authority, relevance, and content quality. Even without “resume” in the domain, a well-optimized site will still rank highly for related searches.
Keyword-Based Names Can Sound Generic
A name like “BestResumeAI.com” might explain the service, but it also blends into a sea of similar names. In contrast, a unique name like Notion, Slack, or Stripe stands out, builds curiosity, and fosters brand loyalty.

A company’s name should be a brand, not a generic label. The biggest tech brands prove that recognition, trust, and scalability matter more than stuffing keywords into a name. Thinking about future expansion is also one of the key SEO tips for naming your business startup.

11. Test It with Google Autocomplete

Google Autocomplete is a feature that suggests search queries as you type into Google’s search bar. It is based on popular searches, so it gives insight into what people are already searching for.

Using Google Autocomplete to test your business name helps with SEO because:

It shows whether people are searching for similar names or topics.
It helps you avoid names that are too generic or already associated with strong competitors.
It can suggest keywords or phrases to include in your name for better discoverability.

Practical Example

Let’s say you are starting a tech company that offers AI-powered chatbots, and you consider naming it “ChatGenius”.

Step 1: Type “ChatGenius” into Google’s search bar

If you see autocomplete suggestions like “ChatGenius login” or “ChatGenius app,” it means there is already a well-known company with that name, and ranking for it will be tough.
If you see unrelated suggestions like “ChatGPT” or “Genius chatbot,” it means the name isn’t well recognized, but similar terms are popular.

Step 2: Experiment with variations

Try “ChatGenius AI” or “ChatGenius Bot” to see if better SEO-friendly variations exist.
If autocomplete suggests “AI chatbot for businesses” or “best AI chat software,” you might consider modifying your name to include relevant keywords, like “GeniusAI Chat” or “BizChat AI.”

By testing your business name with Google Autocomplete, you ensure that your startup name is unique, easy to rank for, and aligns with popular search terms.

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Naming your startup is not just a creative decision—it’s a strategic one that directly impacts your SEO and online visibility. These SEO tips for naming your business startup are expert verified.

Remember, a well-optimized business name doesn’t just define your identity—it helps you stand out in a crowded digital landscape. So, take the time to test, refine, and choose wisely. Your future customers are searching—make sure they find you! 🚀

How RocketDevs Can Partner with Your Startup

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