Help me choose my New business name

[DarrenC]

I've taken alot of advice from here on how to move my business forward and at the moment I have 3 websites, which need to be merged into a business name which at some stage in 2006 will become a limited company.

I've been thinking all Christmas weekend (sad I know) what I could call this business, and I am hoping you kind people on here could help me out with this task!

The 3 websites are

Worldwide Holiday Homes - promotes 1,000 villas, apartments etc in 45 countries is marketed towards holidaymakers

Travel Rants - holiday forum, and travel information site. Includes travel articles and destination guides, travel advice etc. Marketed towards holidaymakers

Promote Travel - brand new site not yet launched, will be a resource for holiday homeowners, who wish to rent a holiday home. Will also be used as a marketing tool to gain more clients for my main business.

What I'd like to do is create one business with these 3 "mini-sites" as the forefront of the business.

Any ideas? :)

Darren

[bwglaw]

Can't think of a name right now but I think it would be good to ensure the branding is consistent one way or another. I would set up a portal/platform site with links to the other sites.

I set up the 'hands on' brand throughout the Group and it has proved successful. We will be developing a website for the Group which will act as a platform/portal

[DarrenC]

I agree that the branding should be consistant, but they are really completely different sites, but the aim is the same - to use the 2 sites to forward holidaymakers and owners to the main Worldwide holiday site.

It's probably my understanding of branding, do you mean logo, etc. Or is there more to branding than just a companies logo?

[bwglaw]

Even though each business/site/project has different aims/objectives the branding can be consistent in a variety of ways i.e. logos, concepts, colours, style etc

We use the Hands On Group logo as the base for a new logo. We have just had the logo modified for our georgianliving.com website, the graphic remains the same because it still has a concept behind it but we have change the text and colour. People can see a relationship between all

We paid good money to a good designer to create our own brand. We use a specific font throughout the Group. If you click the links below you can see some of our logos. The Hands On Internet will be changed shortly

As an example for you:

Worldwide Holiday: Homes
Worldwide Holiday: Forum

The above are not brilliant but I am sure you get the gist of it and need to think about how you can apply the same principle in your case. It will depend on what name you choose.

[Jayne]

DC Villa World Wide,

DC Villa-Global,

Villa's are us :lol:


I'll have a thing this week for some better ones :D

Jayne

[DarrenC]

Thanks Jayne! :)

Johnathan, I understand now - thinking about it in more detail, it's not something you can do over night, and needs to be planned properly?

I'll need to put some more thought into this! If anyone has any suggestions for the business names please let me know.

[bwglaw]

Quite right Darren - it needs careful thought from all perspectives. It needs to be unique, avoid using your own name or abbreviations of your own name because it lacks in relevance and needs to be memorable.

The concept behind the HOG logo is that we were formerly called Hands On Solutions, and we were creative with solutions, the little squares are our ideas and the coloured square is the solution.

Georgianliving.com is the same graphic because its all about property. The little squares are properties whereas the large coloured square is us, the agent.

We will do the same for internet, by linking all the squares up. The coloured square becomes us/the server etc

If I think of anything I will contact you. Good luck.

[clairemackaness]

Everything holidays

[DarrenC]

Thanks for the suggestion Claire :)

I don't offer everything though - and that is what the name would be suggesting? I specialise in self catering holiday homes for rent...

Argh I hate making up names - they always end up been a major business mistake!

[Cornish Steve]

I agree with the previous respondents: You need to establish a common brand. Let me invent a name for the moment: travelogue. Your three sites would fall under the master brand:

Travelogue: Worldwide Holiday Homes
Travelogue: Travel Rants
Travelogue: Promote Travel

As part of an overall brand, each site/service supplements the others. Your brand might include a logo, but it's much more than that.

As examples, take a look at Choice hotels at http://www.choicehotels.com or Marriott hotels at http://www.marriott.com . Both groups offer several related brands. Their websites provide access to each brand, and there's a common hotel finder and reservation page. The logos are similar yet dictinct.

[Asteeleleith]

costa del hols (ok i know ur world wide but theres a ring to that one!)
Breaks4all
erm,

vacation locations

ok thats me brain hurting

Al

[DarrenC]

Breaks4all is a good suggestion, but this doesn't fit all 3 sites and vacation locations is already taken I think.

Relax the brain Al and pop back soon ;)

Steve, I'm starting to agree that is the way forward, what the name will be though is more difficult, and like Al, my brain is hurting :D

[clairemackaness]

everything self catering? LOL

[DarrenC]

:lol: keep trying Claire ;)

[bizguy]

Choosing a business name stumps even the most experienced business owner. It’s really hard to choose that one name that you can use for your business because you are basically stuck with it and most of your marketing efforts will revolve around that name.

It does take a lot of time to think of the most appropriate business name. But to make it easier, you can start with thinking of names that would evoke the character, personality or main strength of your business. It’s a good jumping off point that could fuel more creative ideas. Congratulations on your new business!

[Jayne]

Your Choice Villas.

Villa Creative

DIY Holiday Villas

Designer Holidays

Global Villa Choices


Some more :D

Jayne

[directmarketingadvice]

What's your unique selling point(s)?

If we knew that, we might come up with a name that reflects/promotes that.

Steve

[creacom]

What about

More Holidays

or

Holidays Plus


I will keep my thinking cap on !!

Jacqueline ':D'

[Coding Monkey]

firstminute
lastsecond
travelotown

[DarrenC]

What's your unique selling point(s)?

If we knew that, we might come up with a name that reflects/promotes that.

Steve

I have villas, apartments and cottages on a website which you can rent - 1 site promotes them 1 site gives holidaymakers advice and 1 gives owners advice.

Some great ideas though guys and girls! :)

[DarrenC]

firstminute
lastsecond
travelotown


:lol: I think I could get sued for atleast 2 of them ideas ;) :D

[Coding Monkey]

I think all 3 :)

Travelocity might not like the 3rd, but it might be worth seeing. Or, when all else fails, result to swearing. TRUD - the new holiday destination.

[DarrenC]

Can I choose a company name which has been dissolved (whatever this means)?

I have a really good name but the company dissolved in October 2004 :(

[clairemackaness]

How about

Villas4U

[Coding Monkey]

Dissolved means no longer active. They went under, stopped trading, committed treason or went to live in Brazil. I'd speak to Jon or Crossguard about it.

[DarrenC]

Claire, that's already taken :( I don't just promote villas though, its any accommodation, including huts in the middle of a mountain :)

[DarrenC]

Dissolved means no longer active. They went under, stopped trading, committed treason or went to live in Brazil. I'd speak to Jon or Crossguard about it.

I think I get the message Mac :lol:

[clairemackaness]

Accomodation4U then!

[DarrenC]

Hmmm that's a possibility - will put that on my list - thanks ;)

[bwglaw]

Seriously, I would avoid these RU, r-US, because it does remind me of affiliate or bogus sites. Unique is the key!

You could try easytravel - at least it will put bread on my table if you need me to act for you ;)

You can use a name of a company that has dissolved. Even though it is dissolved you may still be associated in some way with the old company/name

Email me direct and I will check it out

[clairemackaness]

Accomodationsolutions or hotproperty are two others

[directmarketingadvice]

I have villas, apartments and cottages on a website which you can rent

And the unique advantage that brings to your marketplace is....?

Steve

[DarrenC]

Sorry Steve, call me thick but I don't know what you are getting at. There's no USP - its a website of holiday homes that holidaymakers can rent - just like many other such sites.

[bwglaw]

I can see where Steve is getting at. Basically, he is asking you how different are you from your competitors and what competitive-edge do you have against them, in other words what is your unique selling point (USP)

[DarrenC]

I can see that - but I am struggling to understand what thas has to do with a business name? I do have a number of USP's but there not something I would like to discuss in public, because they are unique.

[directmarketingadvice]

I do have a number of USP's but there not something I would like to discuss in public, because they are unique.

There's clearly a misunderstanding here.

A selling point is the reason why someone should do business with you rather than with one of your competitors.

(a competitor is someone selling a product/service that fulfills the same needs as yours)

Therefore, it is not something you're going choose to hide.

If you can incorporate this into your name, you're name will promote your selling point and, because this USP is unique and has meaning to your prospects, will be more likely to be remembered.

Steve

[Jayne]

Pack and Go!

Globe-hol :D ( Get it..global) :lol:

Direct-hol

Some more

Jayne :D

[bwglaw]

Go: Villas
Go: Travel
Go: Forum
Go: whatever!

[Jayne]

Go Go Hols :lol:

Jayne

[bwglaw]

Go: Think about it!

[Admiral Collections]

I actually liked the Go idea. Branson uses Virgin for everthing, why don't you use Go and then add all the different services you offer to the end like Jonathan said.

Go live on the knife edge.

NIc :wink:

[bwglaw]

Glad the 'Go' is a good one. And Darren, I want commission if you use it ;) You mentioned a company that dissolved...was it 'Go' by chance, which was 'merged' (no such thing as a merge in law) by Easyjet.

Go: for it Darren!

[Admiral Collections]

Do you want some Go-Go girls to dance round you? Branson uses page three girls all the time to launch his new products.

Jonathan such good ideas remind me of a song 'Go, Go Johnny Go!'

Go Ahead Darren!

Nic :wink:

[bwglaw]

And Darren, from experience, before you decide on the new names, make sure the domains are available and buy the popular extensions i.e. .com,.net etc then announce on here.

Nic, in a posting somewhere Jayne called me Johnny (etc) and I said that is liable for a lawsuit ;) Hate it...oh yuk....

[Jayne]

He hates Jonno more :lol: :lol:

Jayne

[bwglaw]

:twisted:

[Jayne]

Sorry, it slipped out :D

Jayne

[bwglaw]

Northerners suffer from the freudian slip ;) hence seeing the neighbours on Coronation Street squabbling ;)

[Jayne]

Thought of some more :D

Happy Hols

Away

Heaven Holidays

Holiday Stop Shop


Jayne :D

[DarrenC]

So using 'Go' would not be a problem since the company was merged with Easyjet?

I like the idea of the go go girls dancing around me though, will this be every day or just on the launch? :lol:

Go: Holiday Homes
Go: Travel
Go: Promote

What do you think?

Darren

P.s. Steve, it is my understanding, I am going to do some reading on USP's because it's something I have not thought about - so thanks for bringing it to the top of my flooded brain :)

[directmarketingadvice]

Steve, it is my understanding, I am going to do some reading on USP's because it's something I have not thought about - so thanks for bringing it to the top of my flooded brain

Darren

There are a lot of places on the internet where you can learn more.

Also, a report of mine at:

http://www.greaterprofitsguaranteed.com/fivemistakes.pdf

discusses it.

Steve

[bwglaw]

Darren, you would need to check to see if GO is a registered trademark and whether the domain names are available. It should not be a problem with using GO if Easyjet have bought it but they may have registered it as a trademark. If you combine GO with something else it wont be a problem, since GO was an airline. You are offering something else.

You could set up as Go Group Ltd and offer different GO! brands for each area of work. When each develops well you can split them up later into Ltd Co's. However, you may have difficulty setting up 'Group' without reassuring CH that you intend to set up another 2 companies within 3 months.

[Cornish Steve]

Be careful with the name Go. I remember that a lady called Naomi Ridley posted messages here about her magazine called Go! a while back. The website of her magazine is www.gomagazine.co.uk .

(By the way, how do you paste a reference to another thread in your message?)

[DarrenC]

Jonathan, the thought of creating one limited company is scary enough without creating 3 - Ill do some research. The thought now of rebranding is daunting - if I was to rebrand, but not to make the business a limited company would this cause me problems in the future?

Steve, I've read that article - I'm making all 5 mistakes! I have identified several USP's though - I think :lol:

Do you mind if I email you the document I have written?

Wow didn't think you could get so many helpful people in one forum - thanks everyone! :)

[DarrenC]

Be careful with the name Go. I remember that a lady called Naomi Ridley posted messages here about her magazine called Go! a while back. The website of her magazine is www.gomagazine.co.uk .

(By the way, how do you paste a reference to another thread in your message?)

Steve, just paste (control & V) the full web address, and it'll pick it up as a link within the message.

[bwglaw]

Be careful with the name Go. I remember that a lady called Naomi Ridley posted messages here about her magazine called Go! a while back. The website of her magazine is www.gomagazine.co.uk

Still not a problem because its a magazine, and GO may not be registered, if not, may well be difficult to register with it being a broad term. Worth consulting with a Trademark Attorney. Speak with Crossguard, who is a member of this forum. I do not specialise in IP, but employment and commecial law.

[bwglaw]

Jonathan, the thought of creating one limited company is scary enough without creating 3 - Ill do some research. The thought now of rebranding is daunting - if I was to rebrand, but not to make the business a limited company would this cause me problems in the future?

Don't wish to overwhelm you in the thought of creating many companies. In your circumstances you have explained to me in PM one Ltd Co will be sufficient - you can always change later.

Branding does not always tie-in with your Ltd Company name if you were to set up a Ltd Co later. It is quite easy to change the name of a Ltd Co anyway, with a fee of £10.

You can set up a branding i.e. Go: Villas, Go: Apartments, Go:Self-catering etc and use them throughout your site, letterhead etc. The Ltd Co can be called Worldwide Holiday Homes Ltd and use whatever branding you have. You must state on your letterheads, invoices and any other essential documents that you conduct business, the name of the Ltd Co - this can be in small print with the Go! as your logo.

If you go down this route then Go! would merely be your brand rather than your company logo.

It is not as daunting as it appears. I would not rush into it and I am happy to advise when need be since I have the hands on experience - there goes my company name!

[directmarketingadvice]

On the subject of "Go", I know there's a "Go Voyages" in France.

Steve, I've read that article - I'm making all 5 mistakes! I have identified several USP's though - I think

Do you mind if I email you the document I have written?

Go ahead.

Send it to me at steve @ greaterprofitsguaranteed.com and I'll have a look at it.

Steve

[Coding Monkey]

Nice article, Steve. Luckily (I feel) I achieve them all

[DarrenC]

On the subject of "Go", I know there's a "Go Voyages" in France.

Steve, I've read that article - I'm making all 5 mistakes! I have identified several USP's though - I think

Do you mind if I email you the document I have written?

Go ahead.

Send it to me at steve @ greaterprofitsguaranteed.com and I'll have a look at it.

Steve

Steve, the 'Go' idea even though it was an excellent suggestionby Jonathan could be a problem as it it is very generic. I've just looked at the companies house site and Go Limited is already taken.

After having a sleepless night I have decided to put on hold the branding of a new set of businesses, and work on current Worldwide Holiday Homes - giving it a brand, marketing it more effectively, aswell as taking on all of the other advice provided by the members on here.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and ideas.