How do I find the right name for my company?

Written by:
Leo Hoogma, 2 May 2022

Are you a starting entrepreneur and looking for a suitable name for your company? We are happy to advise you regarding the online visibility of your brand new company, and in choosing the right company name. We can also help you set up a professional website that you can easily maintain yourself. This way you have all the ingredients for a good start!

You are a busy bee and no longer want to work for a boss. You have ideas for your own company, and 1 and 1 quickly equals 2. You start your own company. The first course is usually the one to the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). But right away you run into the following: What is your company going to be called?

Devise a name for your company
Do you have no idea what your company should be called? We would like to give some tips for a good name:

Keep it short
Prefer not to use dashes
Try to come up with a unique name

Found it, and now?
Do you have a suitable company name in mind, then it is wise to take a look in the Chamber of Commerce database right away this name is not already in use. You are not allowed to start a company under the same name as another company, especially if it is in the same industry. Is the name still available? Check immediately whether the domain name is available. As a SIDN registrar, we can help you with that.

What should you pay attention to when registering your domain name?

Is the domain name still available according to your wishes? You need a little luck for that. In a world that is largely experienced online, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a domain name that is not yet in use. If you are lucky, make sure you record this name first. Please contact a SIDN registrar, such as Hoogma Webdesign. This is preferable to recording through an intermediary. Why is that?

Make sure your domain name is registered in your name
If you register your domain name through any company, there is a chance that the domain name will not be registered in your name, but in that of the intermediary. Suppose this person stops doing business at some point, or a dispute arises, then your domain name, which is linked to your business, turns out not to be your property! Going to court is then the only thing you can do to ensure that it becomes yours after all, and that is not cheap.

At Hoogma Webdesign we transfer your domain name to your name, making you the owner. Therefore, after choosing your company name, please contact us immediately, we will be happy to help you by registering your company name as a domain with the Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland, or SIDN.

Would you like a .nl, .com or .eu domain name?
There are different endings, or extensions for your domain name. The most famous in our country are:

.nl
.eu
.com

But which one is the best for your company? That depends on where you trade. That's how it is.

A .nl extension is preferred for companies in the Netherlands, which mainly do business in the Netherlands. Google will offer your website with this extension to Dutch speakers in the Netherlands. But if you also have international customers, then it is smart to go for a .com extension. If you opt for a multi-language website from Hoogma Webdesign, you can also apply GeoTargeting.

What is GeoTargeting?
With GeoTargeting you can 'target` your target group based on their geographical location. This allows you to work more focused. If you mainly have international customers, then it is wise to have a .com domain name in addition to your .nl domain.

With GeoTargeting you can make your website in such a way that part is intended for Dutch speakers in the Netherlands, part for English speakers in the Netherlands, part for German speakers in Germany, etc. The possibilities are great and you will be surprised what is possible. You can find a lot of information about GeoTargeting online. Take a look at this if you are considering using this to (better) reach your target group. We would like to help you with this.

Then you still need to determine which extension your landing website has. We are happy to advise you without obligation when making these and other choices that relate to your online visibility. We also offer you a professional website at an affordable rate that is easy to maintain in our user-friendly website management system HWCMS.

Do you have any questions or do you want our advice? Contact Hoogma Webdesign via 0597-855758 or info@hoogmawebdesign.com.