Brand identity and naming for your web/programming project..

Question

Not sure if this belongs on SO but nonetheless it involves web dev/programming...

I think i'm pretty creative in general but when it comes to naming something giving its own identity im totally short of any inspiration..or rather incapable of providing something thats catchy.(Like Twitter and tweets etc)

So you've got this great idea, maybe its an app(lication - depending on how much of an apple fanboy you are) or a website. In my opinion about 71% of the success is down to the brand name(something catchy)/identity, regardless of how good the actual application is.

Any idea where to begin with something like that & How do you get inspiration for something like this?

Answer 1

You're a programmer ... so by default you aren't built to think like an advertisement exec.

Best practice? Sound it out verbally, make sure it has a ring to it. Then bounce the name(s) off of about 10 people that are not very computer savvy and let them pick the best one.

If someone proposed "Twitter" as a name to me I would have mocked it. Some of my less-tech-savvy peers would have probably liked it because it has a ring to it and reminds them of Bambi.

Answer 2

Your best bet is to talk to a graphic designer, this is there bag, (I should know).

They can then create a whole image/corporate identity for you. A good brand really does come from a good designer.

The name doesn't matter to a certain degree, take 'ebay' it doesn't relate to what the company are selling, but after a good marketing push and brand it's now a house-hold name. It helps to get a good idea of who you are marketing it the product at, and doing a little research so you know your target market and what they do/like wouldn't hurt either.