Business names

[S-Marketing]

Can I please have some views on business names containing numbers (cash4gold, design2win, compensation4U etc etc).

I dont want to sway the arguement either way by giving my thoughts at this stage (Sorry, the pro researcher side of me wont allow it:redface

The business I am considering a name for offers professional advice, B2B.

 

[Mike W]

Can I please have some views on business names containing numbers (cash4gold, design2win, compensation4U etc etc).

I dont want to sway the arguement either way by giving my thoughts at this stage (Sorry, the pro researcher side of me wont allow it:redface

The business I am considering a name for offers professional advice, B2B.

It's a personal thing, I think, and depends on the market you're in/aiming at. For me, the more professional (formal) the industry, the less the 2's and 4's.

 

[webgeek]

If you start the business with the number, like: 2DogsGrooming.co.uk - you often get placed at the top of the alphabetical lists - which used to be more important than it is nowadays.

The drawback is always telling someone your email address..."Yes that's [email protected]. The number 2, then dogs, grooming." You have to spell it out every time like that, which is something you don't have to do with a colour or place, usually.

Personally, I remember some brands with numbers very well - red8 dv8, but not many others. Maybe there just aren't many out there

 

[S-Marketing]

If you start the business with the number, like: 2DogsGrooming.co.uk - you often get placed at the top of the alphabetical lists - which used to be more important than it is nowadays.

The drawback is always telling someone your email address..."Yes that's [email protected]. The number 2, then dogs, grooming." You have to spell it out every time like that, which is something you don't have to do with a colour or place, usually.

Personally, I remember some brands with numbers very well - red8 dv8, but not many others. Maybe there just aren't many out there

Just to clarify, being top of an alphabetical list is of no advantage to me.

I am really looking at this wondering whether having numbers in the name detracts from the perceived professionalism of the name.

 

[webgeek]

I've always liked:
20th Century Fox
3Com
3M
7-Eleven
Level 3 Communications

I guess you can have a number and make big bux.

 

[S-Marketing]

I've always liked:
20th Century Fox
3Com
3M
7-Eleven
Level 3 Communications

I guess you can have a number and make big bux.

Those are excellent examples of how it can be used effectively, but those aren't really the kind of names i'm thinking of.

How about designs4you, or prepare2sell, for sites selling either design services or sales training?

 

[KreativeJuice]

B2B - no - tacky.

 

[PrestonLad]

I agree with Kre8ive Juice. Where the number is text-speak, replacing a word or sound (2, 4, 8) it doesn't come across as professional IMO. Things might change, but for now, I'd steer clear in Business-to-Business situations... unless, perhaps, your target market is made up mainly of very young business people... who MIGHT identify with it (I really don't know, I'm ashamed to say!)

 

[amphis software]

I think having a number at the start of the name is fine eg 99 Designs.

In my opinion, using a number to replace a word eg 4 instead of For, or 2 instead of To doesn't sound so professional.

However, that has never stopped me shopping at phones4U. so although the name might not sound so professional, if the business offers something I want at the right price, the bottom line is, the name doesn't matter so much as what it is they are offering.

Tom

 

[S-Marketing]

Maybe its a case of b2b, not so good, but b2c ok?

Especially when your consumer is someone who wants to buy a massive telly for their local authority accomodation, by flogging their gold, claiming for an 'accident' or applying for a loan at 4000% apr.

Thanks for the info so far guys and girls, its very useful.

 

[SELC Ltd]

For me, numbers in a business name = cheap. Not sure why but for some reason I always think that the business will be offering something thats heavily discounted. So I would say ideal for B2C where you are favouring price over quality but not so good for B2B

 

[fx7solutions]

Using numbers can help with getting nice domain name (see below ). The case with the 4s and 2s in names can make an impression of the name that has been created by adding them to something that already exist and can be seen as you are trying to win business based on someone brand etc. I would avoid that, especially in B2B.

As mentioned above, it can work for B2C, but only for younger people. It depends also what you sell.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Personally, I've always hated numbers in company names... albeit I do actually have 2 contracts with 3.

I guess though it can depend on the product, prices and design, i.e. how it looks.

 

[brownmarsh12]

Choosing a business name is an important step in the business planning process. Not only should you pick a name that reflects your brand identity,

 

[Colin Smith CBP]

For the industry you have identified, I doubt a business name consisting of "Text Speak" would have much perceived credibility. I think the majority of businesses would find it unprofessional.

That said, a business like Phones4U has successfully branded itself as edgier and more fun in the telecommunications industry and the business name is consistent with that brand identity. Perhaps you are deliberately looking to differentiate yourself from other more traditional businesses operating in the marketplace. This type of name might work in that marketplace as part of a wider branding strategy. If you are confident that a segment of the target market perceives traditional businesses as stuffy and old fashioned and this more casual and modern branding might be more appealing to a sizeable minority of potential clients, then by all means use that type of name. I'm sure it would turn off most business owners, but it could be attractive to a niche within the market.