How to Name a Feature Within a Product

Naming products and features isn't something to be taken lightly. While a feature’s name may seem like a minor detail, it can have a big impact on how easily customers understand and use the software.

Take, for example, Simplifi by Quicken. Their mission is to help their customers easily track, update, and forecast their personal finances. When the Simplifi team came to Allovus, they needed help designing their app to convey their core message—that staying on top of your finances can be easy and fun.

Not only did we “simplify” the design and revamp their color palette, we also helped name features within the product that made them easy for users to understand.

Our process for naming a feature included:

• Brainstorming a list of words based on the function of the tool.
• Sending the list to our studio designers working on the project. They mixed and matched words, keeping in mind the length and space requirements within the app’s screen dimensions and the size of the button on which the text would be placed.
• Finally, our design team narrowed the list down to the three best options and sent them on to Simplifi to review. The thoughtfully crafted list made it easy for the client to choose a name that best suited the feature.

Check out our Simplifi case study to learn more about how we helped make this an award-winning product.

Here are some points to consider before embarking on naming products, features, tools, or functions:

• A good name should clearly and accurately describe the function of the feature.
• The name should be easy to remember and, above all, intuitive. The goal should be to create a feature name that is as self-explanatory as possible.
• Consider the purpose and value of the feature. Ask yourself what the feature does, what its benefits and goals are, and how it can help the user. This will help narrow down possible names and allow you to think of words or phrases that accurately reflect the function of the feature.
• Consider the user experience. How will users interact with the feature? Are there any existing terms or industry jargon that should be used? It’s important to think about how the user will understand the feature name and use it to navigate the software. You should also consider the broader context of the software. Are there any other features with similar functions? If so, try to differentiate the feature name by using different words or descriptions.
• Finally, run the feature name by focus groups and colleagues to get their feedback. This will help you determine whether the name is intuitive and easy to understand.

Naming features in software applications is an important part of the user experience. The name should accurately and clearly describe the function of the feature, be easy to remember and intuitive, and differentiate itself from other features. Using these steps as a guide, you can create feature names that are more user-friendly and provide a better overall experience for customers.

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