You’ve got your side hustle idea (try this if you don’t), time to pick a name!
“Let’s do XYZ Bookkeeping! Yeah, that’ll work. Everyone will know that means” you think to yourself.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t cut it in the modern world.
Choosing a company name is a delicate process that matters quite a bit more than you expect. As someone who has unsuccessfully picked numerous names before and had to redo them, here are the steps you should take to avoid all the pitfalls.
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#1 Use ChatGPT to Get a Starting List
Go to ChatGPT.com and feed it this prompt:
I am creating a side hustle business dedicated to [Insert Side Hustle Idea]. I need a name for this business that is both niche, but also intuitive for anyone reading it to understand that is what I do. The name should be one adjective and one noun with no other words. Ensure there is at least 3-4 syllables in the complete name. Give me a list of 50 names that could work.
While two-word business names are harder to find, they are often far superior for logo creation, as they take up less space on your website. Intentionally adding an extra syllable will help with finding names that haven’t been discovered yet.
I’ll be using Google and Meta Ad Management for this example.
ChatGPT will then give you a list of names… most of which will (admittedly) suck.
#2 Pick Your Top 5 From that List
My top 5 is:
- Custom Clicks
- Purposeful Clicks
- Magnetic Funnels
- ROAS Rocket
- Digital Funnel
Be wary of something like #5 on the list, “Bold Branding.” While a good name for ads, a neutral observer may think you are a PR firm.
Keep the ChatGPT window open as you may need to go back to it.
#3 Get Hostinger.com Website Hosting.
Time to open your wallet. Don’t worry too much. This is cost-effective, and you’ll need to do it eventually if you plan on building a company.
Before settling on a name, you’ll want to ensure the “domain name” is available. For example, if you chose ROAS Rocket, before you make a business out of it, you might check that www.ROASRocket.com is available for purchase. If not, you will likely end up advertising for someone else!
Hostinger is a website hosting platform that allows you to purchase a domain name and host it for a very low price point. As of May 2025, purchasing a plan with Hostinger gives you a free (non-premium) domain with any plan.
Click the Hostinger logo to get started.
Scroll down to “Pick Your Perfect Plan” and choose the Premium Plan.
Depending on your commitment level and available funds, I recommend buying at least a two year plan, but that is up to you.
Hostinger will naturally take you to the free domain page, but if it doesn’t or you skip it, you can always go back by logging into your Hostinger account, clicking on Domains, then selecting Get a New Domain.
#4a Check your Domain Availability
This can be tedious, but time to see what domains are available.
Using the Top 5 list you made from above, see which “.com” names are available. For example, “ROASRocket.com” is already taken (that would’ve been a good one).
Eventually, you will find a name that works (this may take some further prompting with ChatGPT) – BEFORE YOU BUY THE DOMAIN, check the next step.
#4b Check Your Business Name isn’t Taken in Your State
BEFORE BUYING THE DOMAIN, find your Business Lookup for your State on your Secretary of State’s page (find yours here). You don’t want to buy a domain that’s already tied to someone else’s business – that’s setting up for failure.
Check that the business name is also available on the Secretary of State lookup. If it isn’t, it’s back to the drawing board with ChatGPT.
#5 Finalize Your Company Name and Away You Go!
Buy your domain and away you go! Make sure to create the LLC soon after so you can ensure your name isn’t taken by someone else.
Ready to Build?
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