Choosing a name for a startup (cycle couriers)

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I

in1980

  • #1
    Hello everyone. I am involved in helping with a new business startup. The aim is to have things sorted out by enterprise week (in three weeks time?).

    We/they are cycle couriers, i.e. riding bicycles, also using trailers to allow carriage of larger items than normal. They are the only such service in their city.

    We have been considering possible names for the company. Many good ideas are already taken, and we obviously don't wish to step on anyone's toes. I wonder if anyone could give their first impressions and opinions about these?

    Chainline Couriers (or"Chain-line Couriers")
    ChainLine

    Chainlink Couriers     (or"Chain-link Couriers")
    Chain-Link
    Chainlink

    Cycle-link



    The "chain"-based names offer immediate options for logos and imagery, such as can be seen here:

    img30.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=chainlinka.jpg

    (Sorry, it won't let me post the images here)

    These are just rough ideas, there are others along the same lines. Remember that the names and logos can be considered independently.

    In taglines and text, there will be strong references made to the environmentally-friendly nature of this business, but it could also be included in the name, such as:

    eco-post

    and things like that.

    Let me also offer names of some existing cycle-courier companies, just to set the scene:


    • Cycle4u
    • Zero Couriers
    • Outspoken Delivery
    • Hereford Pedicargo
    • Revolution Cycle Couriers
    • Yellow Jersey Delivery
    • Pedal Express (i.e. PedEx :D)
    • City Cycle Couriers
    • Manchester Messenger Company
    • Norwich Couriers

    I've avoided giving my opinions, and those of people I've asked already, so as not to influence anyone here!
    Thankyou all very much for reading, and any comments will be most appreciated.

    John
     
    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
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  • #4
    the bicycle post
    cycleepost
    cyclemail
    pedalpost
    ped-del
    peddel
    citytransit
    citycycled
    ecomail
    mailbybike
    quickpost
    chainletter
    etc
     
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    S

    skyhi2

  • #5
    Just had a look at the first name i suggested James.

    Hmmmmm,there is an " Eco Cycle Couriers " down Leicester way,but all the domain names are free.

    It could be they have registered the name @ companies house though james,and do not have a web presence.

    Skyhi2.
     
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    B

    Blakie

  • #12
    Don't know wether you'd get way with it but what about :

    Ped-Ex...

    Just a thought

    I'm just slow today and have notice it - bah

    Some others for a thought though:

    Re-Cycle
    Peddle Power
    Bi-Spoke or even Be-Spoke Delivery
     
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    I

    in1980

  • #20
    Good stuff, guys.

    Unfortunately many of the best names have no available domains left.

    For example those for Chain Mail or Chain Link are all taken.

    It also occurred to me that since this company has two separate functions - namely a courier service and a licensed postal service, perhaps there could be two names to be used, for example:

    Overall: Chain Mail
    Courier sub-service: Chain Link

    Or similarly:

    Overall: Cycle-Link
    Mail sub-service: Cycle Mail or Cycle-Link Mail
     
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    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
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  • #21
    Don't confuse the market with two names - you're not big enough

    Don't get too bothered by 'chain' either - it's not an obvious link (oops) with your business. Words like pedal and bicycle are more in line with your USP

    Main Entry: bicycle Definition: pedal-driven recreational vehicle

    Synonyms:

     bike, cycle, tandem, two-wheeler, velocipede, wheels

    velomail?
    pedal power
     
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    I

    in1980

  • #22
    cjd said:
    Don't confuse the market with two names - you're not big enough

    Don't get too bothered by 'chain' either - it's not an obvious link (oops) with your business. Words like pedal and bicycle are more in line with your USP
    Click to expand...

    Yea, there wouldn't be two separate website or anything, it would just be a fun internal name for the separate service.

    You're right about the chain thing - it seems to only make sense when seen alongside explanatory graphics like these:

    img202.imageshack.us/img202/5508/chainmailf2.jpg
    img260.imageshack.us/img260/7453/chainmailb1.jpg

    Thanks
     
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    Naughty Vend

    Naughty Vend

    Free Member
    Aug 5, 2007
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  • #25
    Fact to accept, we're dumbing down just like America and the kids in school are unfortunately the telephonists of tomorrow i.e. the people whom will book you. So go with a what it says on the tin name...

    What about a simple name like Wheelers for example which covers the tradional naming of a business such as Simpson & Sons as well as being descriptive visually in the mind of the client, whom will associate a picture in their memory of what you do with the company name. Use wheels, keeping you open for diversification later on in the business to other forms of wheeled transport not necessarily "eco" which is a poor USP outside of London.
     
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    I

    in1980

  • #27
    NVI said:
    Fact to accept, we're dumbing down just like America and the kids in school are unfortunately the telephonists of tomorrow i.e. the people whom will book you. So go with a what it says on the tin name...

    What about a simple name like Wheelers for example which covers the tradional naming of a business such as Simpson & Sons as well as being descriptive visually in the mind of the client, whom will associate a picture in their memory of what you do with the company name. Use wheels, keeping you open for diversification later on in the business to other forms of wheeled transport not necessarily "eco" which is a poor USP outside of London.
    Click to expand...

    Good points here - using non-bicycle transport is something other cycle couriers have moved into, such as the good guys at Yellow Jersey Delivery.

    Thanks
     
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    R

    Rainbow Chasers'

    Free Member
    Nov 20, 2008
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  • #28
    Another good one for the puffin idea! Me biased?? Don't know what you are talking about! Holds multiple meaning aparts from puffing cyclists!

    They, as a bird, have a specialised beak meaning they can carry lots of fish (Mail) at once. They also burrow, fly and swim - so sea land and air mail connotations.
     
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    M

    MarketingMan72

    Free Member
    Oct 24, 2009
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  • #29
    How about testing a few names on your target market.....see what they think.
    THen, go to
    a site called [ www] start.biz just remove the brackets

    [ i am not allowed to post urls only a nubie]

    check out available domains, names on the business names register, trademarks AND limited companies all on one site [ word of warning you may find their prices for domains or limited companies very expensive look around the forum i buy domains from 123-reg...cheap as chips.]:cool:
    there you go.
     
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    I

    in1980

  • #30
    MarketingMan72 said:
    How about testing a few names on your target market.....see what they think.
    Click to expand...

    That's why I posted here, really. I guess I could go out and ask some people in the business community "in real life", but I don't know if I could get it sorted in time, or find very many willing respondants. I need to sort out the name and graphics basically within the next 24hrs.
    I'd rather miss all the deadlines and opportunities in the next few weeks than end up with a name we don't like, though.

    MarketingMan72 said:
    THen, go to
    a site called [ www] start.biz just remove the brackets

    [ i am not allowed to post urls only a nubie]

    check out available domains, names on the business names register, trademarks AND limited companies all on one site [ word of warning you may find their prices for domains or limited companies very expensive look around the forum i buy domains from 123-reg...cheap as chips.]:cool:
    there you go.
    Click to expand...

    Great link, thanks. Yea, I use 123-reg, very cheap indeed!


    Basically everyone I've spoken to so far has a different favourite and least-favourite (as you'd expect, perhaps!). Some of the front-runners right now:

    Cycle Link
    This is simple and clear, has a good domain name, and is favoured by several people I've asked. Concerns have been raised, though, about how memorable it is. It's a very generic kind of name. However, as the only business of this type in the region, there shouldn't be much room for confusing them with anyone else, perhaps.
    Generic has never appealed to me, I always want something clever that stands out. Even when generic is usually the best option really :rolleyes:.

    Chain Mail
    I think this one is good and I'd hate to let it go, but responses are mixed. Everyone "gets it" when they see it along with some chain imagery and taglines mentioning bicycles and delivery, but it was suggested it might evoke negative links with unsolicited chain-letters or spam (which is of course what the name is joking about in a way), and also the completely unrelated chainmail type of armour.
    However, it's a catchy name that people will remember, I should think.

    Pedal Post
    Also fairly generic and plain, but nice nonetheless. It sounds somewhat lighter and more airy than "cycle link", perhaps a bit less "substantial". Most of the same considerations apply to this as to "Cycle Link"



    Bikeline couriers?

    Hmm, at this rate I might as well suggest "on a bike with no name" or something.
     
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    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
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    www.voipfone.co.uk
  • #31
    If you really do intend to use several delivery methods in future you should avoid the bicycle/pedal ones and try to be more generic
     
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    I

    in1980

  • #32
    cjd said:
    If you really do intend to use several delivery methods in future you should avoid the bicycle/pedal ones and try to be more generic
    Click to expand...

    That would be way into the future if it came to be, and to be honest I can't see it happening. We would aim to stick to using bicycles of various kinds.
     
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