Misspelling sez something about your business

Kamp It's tough these days to name a business.  You want your business to stand out, you want a URL that is memorable (if you can find one!) and you need a name that your competitors haven't already taken.

All very true. 

Sadly, many business owners think they're being clever when they opt to misspell a word  — like when someone substitute a K for a C or Q, Or an F for a Ph.

Picture 1 The connotation?  Imitation.  Cheap.  Low quality.  

So unless that's what you're going for — keep trying.

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11 comments on “Misspelling sez something about your business

  1. Hi Drew

    What’s wrong with Foto?

    (Sure the owner of the big foto store has Dutch ancestors ;-))

    Karin H from “Wood You Like, natural wooden flooring”

  2. Jess says:

    I had this same thought over the weekend when I drove by a “komputer” repair store. I’m certainly not taking my computer to anyone who can’t spell computer.

  3. Karin,

    Well, I was giving examples in English. Is photo spelled foto in other languages? If that’s the case…in that country, photo would look weird and seem sort of “second class.”

    And your use of wood is a pun, not a misspelling. Very different, in my opinion.

    Drew

  4. Alex & Jess,

    I couldn’t think of an example where the misspelling didn’t cheapen my impression of the company. Can you?

    Drew

  5. Hi Drew

    Everything is relative not? 😉 Photo in Dutch would look very old-fashion, as where komputer would look as proper as computer 😉

    One thing I must say is – again relative of ‘native’ customs – many businesses in Dutch high streets seem to think that using an English sounding name for their business gives them an ‘edge’, in my and other’s it feels more like: hmmm, what happened to our own fine language?

    BTW, I too don’t like business names where you have to think/guess about the true meaning or guess the owner has a poor grasp of the language – still trying to figure out how to pronounce kanakuk kamp.

    Karin H

  6. Sara no h. says:

    This is exactly why I didn’t visit Krispy Kreme for over a year after its local debut. Of course, I’ve since converted, but the initial response was total aversion.

  7. Elizabeth says:

    There is definitely a difference between using puns and intentionally misspelling a word to make it stand out from others with similar names. Intentionally misspelling a word in your name usually makes it easier for others to find your competitors when they search for your company using correct spelling instead of your “unique” way.

  8. Teresa says:

    I have to agree. But in some instances, it just kinda works. Kids Klub or Kidz Korner. Krazy Glue.

  9. Teresa,

    I agree. I’m not sure if it works or we are so used to seeing it that way now that our brain just accepts it.

    Here in the midwest we have a convenience store called Kum & Go. (yes…that’s correct, no typo.)

    When I first moved here and saw one, I almost caused a traffic accident. But now, I’m used to it.

    Drew

  10. Justin Brady says:

    Typically misspellings (depending on relevance) are irritating, however, Kanakuk Kamps were founded 1926, and this was long before intentional misspellings were a trendy or gimmicky thing to do. These are kids camps (or kamps) so I am assuming the “k” is for kids.

    Since the trendy thing today (or the last 10 years at least) is to intentionally misspell words, maybe a re-brand should be in their near future.

  11. I agree that its very gimmicky. But mis-spelled words are remembered more often, so maybe it isn’t a misnomer, but a good marketing plan

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