Last Updated on October 6, 2020
There are over 16,000 bike shops in the United States alone. So, it’s no surprise that finding the perfect business name feels impossible.
With that many businesses, it probably feels like all the good ones are already taken, right? Furthermore, how do you find an excellent name representing your brand and speaking to your target audience?
If you’re struggling to land on the perfect name, you’re in the right place. This article covers my top tips and tricks for brainstorming and finding the perfect name for your new bike shop.
Let’s dive in!
Related:
10 Pro-Tips for Choosing the Perfect Name
I recommend brainstorming a list of everything you can think of relating to your business. Start with an initial ten-minute session and write down every word or phrase that pops into your head.
After you have your initial list, use the tips below to get your creative juices flowing. Be sure to take a few minutes to brainstorm new ideas for each tip we discuss and add everything that pops in your head to your list.
From there, you can start crossing off ideas you don’t like and combining words to create a list of potential business names.
1. Avoid Words That Aren’t Easy to Spell, Pronounce, or Hear
Voice search with virtual assistants, like Alexa and Siri, are more popular than ever. Because of that, it’s important to avoid words and phrases that aren’t easy for them to understand.
Furthermore, consider what happens when someone talks about or searches for your business. Is there a chance of a misunderstanding? What about unfortunate misspellings?
If so, people will have a much harder time remembering your name and knowing what to search for to find it.
2. Keep it Short and Simple
The human brain can’t commit more than 3 – 5 pieces of information to short term memory. Because of that, I recommend using fewer than five words. However, the fewer words you use, the better.
Furthermore, try to stick to something between 5 and 15 characters if you can.
Obviously, there are exceptions to these rules. But typically, the shorter and simpler your name, the easier it is for everyone to remember.
3. Phrases Your Audience Uses
Your business exists for your target audience, so it’s important to consider phrases and terms they use when talking about bikes and cycling.
There are quite a few places you can look to see what they’re saying, including:
- Facebook groups, posts, and stories
- Forums related to the cycling industry
- Instagram hashtags and posts
- Event posters, brochures, and flyers
- Magazines or blogs
Alternatively, you can ask them if you have friends or relatives in your target audience. Hearing it directly from them may help you brainstorm and narrow down your choices.
4. Types of Bikes You Sell
You can also consider the types of bikes you plan to sell in your shop. Maybe you specialize in mountain bikes, cruisers, road bikes, or children’s bikes.
If so, consider related phrases and terms specific to the products, services, and courses you plan to offer. This specificity can help your business stand out from other bike shops competing for your audience’s attention.
5. Industry-Specific Terms
Think about your industry and the common phrases people use when they talk about it. These terms are beneficial because they make the right people feel comfortable and at home when visiting your shop.
It immediately tells them they’re in the right place.
6. Location-Based Phrases
A lot of businesses where I live include neighborhood names in their business names. It’s a great way to pay homage to where your business lives and create a sense of community. Some interesting ones include:
- ICT Bicycle Exchange
- Heartland Bicycle
- Riverside Cafe
You could also consider using the name of your city, a nickname, state, or region. Just make sure it doesn’t limit your business if you decide to move or expand.
7. Still No Luck? Go with the Owner’s Name
If you’re still stuck, you can always include the business owner’s name. Creating a personal brand around the owner is a great way to build instant credibility, especially if their name is short, catchy, and easy to remember.
Plus, you don’t have to include their full name. Childhood nicknames and first names are a fantastic idea, as well.
But keep in mind that this makes it harder to sell your business later on.
8. Consider Logo Design
Before making your final decision, consider the overall branding of your business. Does the name match the look and feel you’re going for?
You should also think about what the name looks like a logo. Can you turn the name into something memorable, yet simple and relevant?
McDonald’s’ golden arches are a great example of this. If they chose a different name all those years ago, that logo would’ve looked much different.
Related:
9. Use It In Conversation
Lastly, be sure to say your business name out loud. Sit down with someone you know and use your business name as if someone else was talking about your business.
It may look excellent as a logo and on the header of your website. But if it doesn’t sound good out loud, it won’t be as memorable.
Or it may be mistaken for a different business altogether.
10. Look at Names Other Bike Shops are Using
Here is a list of existing bike shop names that may help give you some creative ideas. While many of these names may be available for you to use, be sure to check first to be sure it can be used.
Tips on how to check business name availability are after the list of names!
- 8th Avenue Bike & Coffee House
- A & M Scooter & Bicycle Center
- Absolute Bikes
- Acme Bicycles
- Adrenalin Cycles
- Adrenaline Bike Works
- Adventure Cycling
- Alexs Bicycle Pro Shop
- All Bicycles
- All One Cycling
- All Pro Bike
- Alpha Bicycle Co
- Alpine Bicycles
- American Bicycle Of Tucson
- Angry Dave’s Bicycles
- Any & All Bikes
- Archer’s Bikes
- Arizona Cycle Center
- Arkansas Cycling & Fitness
- Art Of Bicycles
- Ascent Cycling
- AZ Bicycle WERX
- Back Alley Bike Supply
- Backyard Bike Shop
- Beach & Trail Bike Company
- Bean’s Bicycle Works
- Bicycle Brooksville
- Bicycle Cellar
- Bicycle Concepts
- Bicycle Depot
- Bicycle Doctor
- Bicycle Outfitters
- Bicycle World
- Bicycles Of Scottsdale
- Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven
- Big Momma’s Bicycles
- Big Wheel Cycles
- Bike America
- Bike Barn
- Bike Emporium
- Bike Life
- Bike Nerds
- Bike Peddler
- Bike Shack
- Bike Shop
- Bike Shop Girl
- Bike Shop Of Tuscaloosa
- Bike Surgeon
- Bike Zone
- Bikers Edge
- Bikes For Kids
- Bobby Sprocket
- Bohemian Bicycles
- Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op
- Brass Monkey Bike Shop
- Chris’s Spoke & Wheel Bike Shop
- Colorado Cycling Co
- Colorado Cycling Connection
- Copper State Bike & Hike
- Cranky Monkey Bicycle Shop
- Creekside Bikes
- Cycles Of Life
- Cycling Technology
- Dirt Works Bike Co
- Durango Bike Co
- Easy Rider Bike & Sport
- Electric Bikes Of Arizona
- Elevation Cycles
- Family Cycle Center
- Fat Tire Bike Shop
- Flat Tire Bike Shop
- Freedom Cycle
- Full Circle Cyclery
- Full Service Bicycle
- Golden Spoke Cyclery
- High Gear Bike Shop
- High Gear Cyclery
- Higher Ground Bicycle Co
- Infinity Bicycles Mobile
- Ironhorse Bicycle Classic
- James Brothers Bikes
- Lee’s Cyclery & Repair
- Mad Bicycles
- Manchester Cycle Shop
- Moo Cycling
- Mountain Bike Specialists
- Mountain Pedaler Of Vail
- Old Town Bicycle Company
- One Stop Bike Shop
- Ozark Bike Shop
- Peak Cycles
- Pedal
- Pedal Pushers Cyclery
- Phat Tire Bike Shop
- Recycle Sports
- Red Rocks Cyclery
- Rideco Bike Shop
- River Cyclery & Sport
- Road Runner Bike Center
- Rusty Spoke Bicycle Collective
- Second Ave Sports
- Sideshow Cycles
- Slippery Pig Bicycles
- Southwest Bike Shop
- Tandem Cycle Works
- Treads Bicycle Outfitters
- Two Wheel Feel
- Ultimate Cycles
- Unit 13 Bike & Board Co
- Urban Cyclist Denver
- USA Cycling
- Vance’s Bicycle World
- Wheels Bike Shop
- Wooden Wheels Bike Shop
- World Famous Mikes Bikes
Checking the Availability of Your Top Considerations
At this point, you should have several top considerations to choose from. And the best way to narrow it down further is to check each one for availability.
This step is vital because using a name that someone else is using could be very costly, time-consuming to rebrand your business, and possibly embarrassing. There are several places to look to check whether a name is available to use, so let’s walk through each one.
Trademark Search
Trademarks are the most critical, so we’ll start here.
If a name or phrase is trademarked, you’re not allowed to use it in a similar capacity. So, run a trademark search for each business name you’re considering and cross off those that aren’t available.
Learn more about
Local Search
Just because there isn’t a federal trademark on a name doesn’t mean the name you want is available. That’s because there is a trademark known as a common law trademark. A common law trademark isn’t filed anywhere but provides someone who uses that name in commerce some limited rights in their geographical area to use the name. It can be hard to define how far geographically these rights extend as each industry is different. Still, at a basic level, someone can’t open a business and name it the same or similar name as a competing business in town. If you think the name could potentially create confusion with customers, it is usually best to just find another one to use to avoid potential legal issues down the road.
To do a local search, open up the phone book (if you still have one), and do a Google search to see if there are any local competitors with a similar business name to the one you want to use.
Cross off any similar names from your list and take the rest and let’s keep checking.
State Entity Search (If Applicable)
If you plan to register your bike shop as a corporation or LLC, you must register with a unique business name. Each state requires every corporation or LLC to register a unique name for their entity. This doesn’t necessarily protect your name from anyone else using it, but nobody can register a corporation or LLC under the same name in your state.
Related: ?
If you find the name is in use, cross it off your list and move on.
Domain Name Availability
Website addresses aren’t as critical as the first three searches, but it’s still worth doing. Typically, you want your domain name to be “yourbusinessname.com” without any numbers, dashes, etc.
It’s easiest for customers to remember, but these are hard to come by.
However, you can explore other configurations and extensions if your preferred domain name isn’t available. Just remember your customers may have a more difficult time finding you online.
You can start with N. Type in the domain name you want to use to see if it’s available. The tool also returns other possibilities you may want to consider.
Social Media Profiles
Next, especially if you are stuck between a couple of names, check and see if anyone is already using your potential bike shop names on social media. Consider which platforms you plan to use and start with those.
Keep in mind you may have to shorten your company name for some platforms. Twitter only allows 15 characters, for example.
Start with your preferred platforms and do a quick search for your name. If nothing pops up, that likely means no one is using it, and you’re good to go.
Example: Someone is using startingyourbusiness on Instagram, so I would have to choose a different handle, making it more difficult for customers to find me.
Hopefully, you now have some good name ideas for your bike shop. Once you have this list narrowed down to just a few and researched that they are all available, start asking friends, family, and potential customers their thoughts to get feedback and then pick your perfect bike shop name!
Tagged with: ENTREPRENEURSHIP • START YOUR BUSINESS TODAY
