Choosing a name for a startup (cycle couriers)

[in1980]

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 )
• 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

 

[skyhi2]

Chainlink sounds like a fencing firm

Eco Cycle Couriers

Carbon Friendly Couriers

Zero Carbon Couriers

"placename" Eco Couriers

Skyhi2.

 

[JamesCartwright]

Make sure you check these names on the Companies House website to make sure that you aren't using a name that someone has already registered!

James.

 

[cjd]

the bicycle post
cycleepost
cyclemail
pedalpost
ped-del
peddel
citytransit
citycycled
ecomail
mailbybike
quickpost
chainletter
etc

 

[skyhi2]

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.

 

[in1980]

Damn you guys and your good ideas!

 

[Willself]

ONLY suggestions..

A2Zee -bikers.
Cycle-carriers.
Silent-Running.
Streets-Ahead-Couriers.

 

[cjd]

by pedal (bi-pedal, geddit?)

 

[Fenland]

The 'Wheel' Couriers
Wheel'y Good Couriers

:|

 

[in1980]

The 'Wheel' Couriers
Wheel'y Good Couriers

:|

ho ho - good, but a bit bit too light, if you know what I mean.

 

[brightbeandesign]

2WD - 2 wheel delivery ( like 2 wheel drive)
2WC - 2 wheel couriers
BBC - brilliant bicycle couriers
green-wheels
2 green wheels

 

[Blakie]

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

 

[in1980]

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

Ped-Ex...

Just a thought

It's been done.... several times! see pedalexpress.com/



It's a great name though.

 

[in1980]

Based on one of cjd's ideas:

Chain Mail

Involving imagery such as this:

img94.imageshack.us/img94/7477/chainmailf1.jpg

 

[vvaannmmaann]

On yer bike!

 

[Arthur W]

I would avoid "Pedal-File" if I were you, chortle chortle

 

[Tej]

On yer bike!

Gotta be the one!

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

Puffin Cycle Couriers - (puffin riding a bike on the back of your hi viz for advertising)

cyclex

whizz wheels

wheel mail

pedal power

bike it

 

[Blakie]

I like the puffin one, very good!

 

[in1980]

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

 

[cjd]

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

 

[in1980]

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

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

 

[in1980]

yea, Velo- is quite nice. I wish we were in a French speaking country so that I could use "La Vélopostale"

how great is that?!

Velo---
I'll have a think

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

puffin post is available!

 

[Naughty Vend]

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.

 

[in1980]

puffin post is available!

 

[in1980]

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.

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

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

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.

 

[MarketingMan72]

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.]
there you go.

 

[in1980]

How about testing a few names on your target market.....see what they think.

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.

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.]
there you go.

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 .

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.

 

[cjd]

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

 

[in1980]

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

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.

 

[papverpoppies]

Letters Deliver (Let Us Deliver)!
MailBag Couriers
Bespoken Mail (spoke as in the wheel)
Bespoken Couriers

Poppy

 

[Willself]

Just 1 or 2 more.

Cycle-Tracks!!
Wheelers & Shunters!