How To Come Up With A Good App Name, And Why It’s Crucial!
In this opinion piece, Paul Lin, CEO of mobile app developers Empirical Works, says it’s paramount to have a good app name, and gives us the run-down on how to make sure it’s actually good.
It is no exaggeration to say that naming your app well is critical for its success. A well-named app is instantly noticeable and memorable when a user spots it in the app store – with so many new apps landing on the app stores each day, visibility is essential.
A well-named app also tends to pop up high on the search results list when users search for a topic relevant to it.
But naming an app isn’t easy – after all, you’ve only got a tiny few characters to do it, and those characters need to convey a lot of explicit and implied messaging.
What to do
1. Research your name ideas first
The app name obviously has to be original, and it can’t just be original on the app store that you’re submitting it to; if you’re planning on setting up a website, Facebook page, and Twitter account to support the app (and of course you should be doing that), then you’ll need to make sure your app’s desired name is original across the whole Internet. Discard any app name ideas where you spot duplication.
2. Use a compound word
A popular trend among the most popular apps is to take a word that describes what the app does (“note”, “Tweet”), and enhance it with an emotive word that grabs the user’s attention (“Ever,” “bot”). The result is a descriptive word that immediately engages the user’s emotional interest while also explaining what the app does (you guessed it – “Evernote” and “Tweetbot”).
3. Make it pronounceable
This should go without saying, but a person should be able to repeat the name of the app in conversation. So, make sure you have a really good reason before mashing symbols or numbers in between letters in your app name.
4. Use correct grammar
An app will occasionally hit the big time when its name is presented all in caps, or starts with a lowercase letter, but if you do this you’ll be fighting an uphill battle for legitimacy you wouldn’t have to fight otherwise. We strongly recommend that you name apps using sentence-case, where you capitalise the first letter of each word, use lower-case for each other letter, and don’t capitalise small joining words such as “the”, “and,” or “is.”
5. Use no more than 11 characters for the bundle display name
Research has shown that a name should be 11 characters or fewer. Coming in at or below that number will mean the app looks clean and complete on the user’s collection of apps on their device, which in turn helps to generate confidence in it.
What not to do
1. Fail to optimise for keywords
Before your name your app, you should research what the most popular keywords are, related to what the app does. The name of the app should reference at least the most popular search term, because in doing that, the app will be more easily discoverable through search.
2. Use an overused or trademarked name
If you’ve built a game and put “Angry” or “Zombies” in the name, then you’ve deliberately put it out into a swampland filled with “Angry” and “Zombie” games that consumers are tired of wading through. Call your photo-taking app “Insta-something,” and you may well have Facebook’s lawyers come knocking. Don’t infringe on trademarks, and don’t use overused names.
3. Miss out on taking advantage of bundle display name vs app name
After coming up with a killer bundle display name, many developers forget to follow through and come up with something more descriptive. The app name can be significantly longer and more descriptive than the bundle display name, and it is here where you can load your app up with good, highly searchable words to pull in any audience that might be looking on the Internet for what your app is offering.
4. Fail to research your Twitter and Web URL first
So many developers come up with a killer app name that is original and interesting to the app store, only to discover that either the URL or social media profiles for that name are already taken. This can really impact on the public perception of your app, if the pre-existing account and website (where you can’t control content) are of a poor standard. We can’t emphasise this one enough: make sure you’re able to register all social media profiles and websites you’ll need to suit the name of your app before you register the app name.
5. Rush
The app that you’re developing only gets to have one name (with a few notable exceptions). You want to make sure it’s a name that can last, to prevent confusion amongst your audience. Take your time and do your research before settling on a name. Call in some focus groups, or speak to an expert in naming design. That extra couple of weeks or months (and small additional expense) can mean the difference between a best seller, and something that languishes down the bottom of the app store.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.