As a marketer, naming conventions might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your job responsibilities. However, naming conventions are an essential part of your marketing strategy. They help you create a clear and memorable brand identity and make it easier for your customers to find you online. In this post, we’ll cover some guidelines and examples of good naming conventions, as well as some tools to help you along the way.

Naming Conventions vs Nomenclatures

Both naming conventions and nomenclatures are methods used to establish consistent and standardized names for things or concepts. However, there are some key differences between the two:

Similarities:

• Both are used to establish a common language or vocabulary for a particular field or industry.
• Both help to avoid confusion and misunderstandings by ensuring that everyone is using the same names for things.
• Both can help to establish a brand identity or reputation.

Differences:

• Naming conventions are typically used to establish names for specific things, such as products, files, or website pages. Nomenclatures, on the other hand, are typically used to establish names for entire categories of things, such as plants or chemicals.
• Naming conventions are often more flexible and can be adapted to suit specific needs or preferences. Nomenclatures, on the other hand, are usually more rigid and based on established rules or guidelines.
• Naming conventions are often used within a specific organization or company, while nomenclatures are usually used across entire industries or fields.

Guidelines for Naming Conventions

When coming up with a name for your business, product, or service, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Keep it simple and clear: Avoid overly complicated names that might confuse your customers. A clear and straightforward name will be easier to remember and recognize.
2. Use keywords and phrases: Incorporating relevant keywords and phrases in your name can help improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for customers to find you online.
3. Make it easy to remember and spell: Your customers should be able to remember your name and easily type it into a search engine or URL bar.
4. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms: While abbreviations and acronyms might seem like a good idea at first, they can be confusing to customers who aren’t familiar with them.
5. Use consistent naming conventions: Consistency across all of your branding materials will help establish a strong brand identity and make it easier for customers to recognize you.

Good Naming Conventions Examples

Here are some examples of effective naming conventions:

1. Product names: Apple is a great example of a company that has created memorable product names. iPhone, iPad, and MacBook are all clear and easy to remember.
2. Website pages: When naming your website pages, make sure they are clear and easy to understand. For example, “About Us” and “Contact” are straightforward and easy to find.
3. Social media profiles: Your social media profiles should use consistent naming conventions across all platforms. For example, if your company name is “ABC Marketing,” your Facebook page, Twitter handle, and Instagram profile should all be named “ABC Marketing.”

Naming Conventions Formulas

Here are some common naming convention formulas for various marketing and organizational elements:

Naming Campaigns:

• [Product/Service Name] – [Campaign Objective] – [Campaign Objective]
• [Brand Name] – [Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective] – [Campaign Objective]

Naming Ad Sets:

• [Campaign Name][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective]
• [Product/Service Name][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective]

Naming Ads:

• [Ad Set Name][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective]
• [Product/Service Name][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective][Campaign Objective]

URL Structures:

• [Domain Name]/[Category]/[Subcategory]/[Page Title]
• [Domain Name]/[Year]/[Month]/[Day]/[Page Title]

File Names:

• [YYYYMMDD][_Campaign Objective]
• [Project Name][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]

Folder Names:

• [Project Name][_Campaign Objective]/[Subcategory]
• [YYYY]/[MM]/[DD][_Campaign Objective]

Zapier Zap Names:

• [Trigger App][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]
• [Zap Name][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]

Google Analytics Conversion Names:

• [Conversion Type][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]
• [Product/Service Name][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]

Agency Project Code Names:

• [Client Name/Project Name][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]
• [Project Theme][_Campaign Objective][_Campaign Objective]

Contact Forms:

• [Form Purpose][_Location/Department/Team]
• [Brand Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]

Subscription Forms:

• [Newsletter Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]
• [Brand Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]

Registration Forms:

• [Event Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]
• [Brand Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]

Lead Generation Forms:

• [Product/Service Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]
• [Brand Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]

Feedback Forms:

• [Form Purpose][_Location/Department/Team]
• [Brand Name][_Location/Department/Team][_Location/Department/Team]

Tools to Help Keep Naming Conventions Consistent

Keeping naming conventions consistent across all marketing and organizational elements can be challenging, especially for larger businesses or organizations. However, there are a number of tools available to help streamline the process and ensure that everyone is following the same conventions. Here are some tools that can be used to help keep naming conventions consistent:

1. TextExpander: TextExpander is a text expansion tool that allows you to create shortcuts for frequently used text, such as naming conventions. By creating a snippet for a specific naming convention formula, you can quickly and easily insert the correct name or code into any marketing or organizational element.
2. Trello: Trello is a project management tool that can be used to keep track of naming conventions for different projects or campaigns. By creating a Trello board specifically for naming conventions, you can ensure that everyone on the team is using the same conventions and easily track any changes or updates.
3. Google Sheets: Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program that can be used to create a master list of naming conventions for different marketing and organizational elements. By sharing the sheet with team members, everyone can easily access the correct conventions and avoid confusion or errors.
4. Zapier: Zapier is an automation tool that can be used to create naming conventions for automated workflows. By setting up a Zap that automatically applies a specific naming convention to each new task or element, you can ensure that everything is named consistently and correctly.
5. Brandfolder: Brandfolder is a digital asset management tool that can be used to store and organize marketing assets, including naming conventions. By creating a folder specifically for naming conventions, you can ensure that everyone on the team is using the same conventions and easily access the correct names and codes.

By using these or other similar tools, you can ensure that your team is aligned and adhering to your chosen naming conventions. Consistency in naming conventions not only makes it easier to keep track of different marketing and organizational elements, but it also helps to establish a strong brand identity and reputation.

Ensuring Team Alignment with Naming Conventions

It’s important to ensure that everyone on your team is aligned and adhering to your naming conventions. Here are some tips to help you accomplish that:

1. Communicate the importance of naming conventions: Make sure your team understands the value of consistent and effective naming conventions. Explain how it can impact your brand identity and customer recognition.
2. Provide training and resources: Consider providing your team with training or resources to help them understand how to create effective naming conventions. This could include access to a style guide or a workshop on naming conventions.
3. Use a style guide: A style guide can help ensure consistency across all of your branding materials. Include guidelines on naming conventions in your style guide to help your team adhere to your standards.
4. Review and enforce consistency: Regularly review your branding materials to make sure they align with your naming conventions. Consider assigning someone on your team to review and enforce consistency to ensure everyone is following the guidelines.

Not Glamorous, But Essential

Naming conventions might not be the most glamorous part of your marketing strategy, but they are essential to establishing a clear and memorable brand identity. By following these guidelines, using tools to help you come up with ideas, and ensuring team alignment and consistency, you can create effective naming conventions that will help your business become more efficient. Take the time to create strong naming conventions, and you’ll be on your way to building a strong team with excellent communication.