Naming my business

[SarahLpool87]

Hi, I'm in the middle of starting up a small digital service business and was wondering what you all thought about naming the business after yourself? along with key words to improve Google rankings etc... Any advice much welcome Sarah

 

[Mike W]

Never a fan of names for businesses. Works for some, for sure, but in general, not my cup of tea. Same view on location based names - screams small.

 

[Christine Hough]

Digital services? Could you tell us a bit more? Web design? Social media promotion? Cloud data storage? Online advertising? Music? eBooks? Server management? All of those?

We cannot really suggest a name without you telling us more precisely what you will do and what you see as your strongest selling features.

 

[SarahLpool87]

Hi, Thanks for the replies, much appreciated! Basically what I do is help small businesses grow their online presence. I review everything a business has online (website, social media, business listings, customer reviews, marketing material) and then help the business to improve and grow everything if need be. I set up social media platforms, manage them, work with the business to create social media tactical plans, set up anything else such as business listings and review portals. It's just me working alone as a sole trader, I'm quite unique in my approach, creative and I have found a rather good little niche in the market! Sarah

 

[Christine Hough]

Hi Sarah, and congratulations.
It sounds like an online pr or reputation management you are doing.

Perhaps to reflect what you are doing (i have not checked out the url availability or if others are using these names)

footprinting
virtual footprint
footprints to success
online reputation management
pr trailing

Perhaps this will start some ideas off

 

[avecSys]

BranchOut ..... That was just my instant train of thought on your business

.com is taking by a profiles networking site but i believe .co.uk is available

 

[fisicx]

I'm quite unique in my approach, creative and I have found a rather good little niche in the market! Sarah

So how have your existing clients found you? How do you introduce yourself on the phone?

Is it the business name or the domain name you want? They don't have to be the same and they shouldn't be too specific - something generic will allow your busienss to expand and diversify.

SarahSurname.co.uk will do for now and the business name develop over time.

 

[SarahLpool87]

Thanks Christine, I really the idea of using the word footprint in my business name. I will have a brainstorming session later so thank you very much - you have inspired me a lot

 

[SarahLpool87]

BranchOut ..... That was just my instant train of thought on your business

.com is taking by a profiles networking site but i believe .co.uk is available

I like that also! thank you, going to have a brainstorm session later so thank you for your idea

 

[SarahLpool87]

So how have your existing clients found you? How do you introduce yourself on the phone?

Is it the business name or the domain name you want? They don't have to be the same and they shouldn't be too specific - something generic will allow your busienss to expand and diversify.

SarahSurname.co.uk will do for now and the business name develop over time.

Hi, I'm still in set up, have had lots of interest through ads I placed online as an experiment to see how people would react to what I'm doing; I have just used my own name for this and I had a really positive experience. Thanks for your input, much appreciated

 

[SarahLpool87]

Never a fan of names for businesses. Works for some, for sure, but in general, not my cup of tea. Same view on location based names - screams small.

Hi Mike, Thanks for your input, much appreciated

 

[fisicx]

The problem with footprint is it's already used for a whole range of services (including SM) so you may get lost in the crowd.

Branchout looks more like you will help people to find new avenues and interests.

Keep it generic and non-specific and you will maker things much simpler for yourself

 

[Bee84]

Look at all the brands you have nowadays WITHOUT the internet.

You make yourself a brand through your marketing. So name yourself whatever you like!

Use your name, and it might encourage you to make yourself a brand. Sarah Liverpool is a nobody right now, so was Nike, Adidas, Alan Sugar, Gordon Ramsey, etc etc.

I encourage you to use your name (I know ur not Miss Liverpool lol) ....and then you make sure people know what you are about, and they associate your name to that.

 

[Christine Hough]

You do not have to say everything in your name, a tag line can also help.

Sarahsurname Laying a trail to success;
managing your shadow;
casting careful footsteps


You can even market under different tag lines link to separate landing pages and test their effectiveness before deciding

 

[Bee84]

Having said that, it does help if a name rolls off the tongue n memorable.

if your name is Sarah mcmanamus Dehorty ....meh, wouldn't work.

A struggle im going through right now with 'Corbett' lol. A simple name n surname would work so long as you keep to the suggested thing above...connect your name to what you do.

 

[SarahLpool87]

Having said that, it does help if a name rolls off the tongue n memorable.

if your name is Sarah mcmanamus Dehorty ....meh, wouldn't work.

A struggle im going through right now with 'Corbett' lol. A simple name n surname would work so long as you keep to the suggested thing above...connect your name to what you do.

Thanks for your advice Haha no definitely not Miss Liverpool! My name is Sarah Helen Lee and people always remember me; mainly I get haha Sarah Lee - what like the cakes?! But I was thinking Sarah Helen and then a couple of different taglines? I don't want to spend too much time naming the business however it is holding me back from registering it and sorting out websites, marketing stuff etc

 

[SarahLpool87]

You do not have to say everything in your name, a tag line can also help.

Sarahsurname Laying a trail to success;
managing your shadow;
casting careful footsteps


You can even market under different tag lines link to separate landing pages and test their effectiveness before deciding

Thanks Christine, i like the idea of my name followed by a couple of different taglines

 

[Christine Hough]

"getting you a bigger slice of the cake"

Lol

 

[SarahLpool87]

"getting you a bigger slice of the cake"

Lol

haha that's brilliant!

 

[Excel Expert]

This is my experience.

I started with the name "Excel-Expert" as I program spreadsheets for a living. This was great in the initial years as it basically told people what I did and it attracted a fair amount of business.

A fair amount of my business is repeat business, however it can be a good year or so between repeat jobs. In which time my clients forget my business name and have to do a bit of online hunting to find me again. Because I work very closely with them when I work with them, they remember my real name and search for my real name. As a result a lot of my repeat business finds me via things like my LinkedIn profile.

As a result I have switched from Excel-Expert.com to CarlNixon.biz

 

[#ServicedOffices]

IMO: Some great ideas...

• Footprint
• Branch Out
• Sarah Helen

I think if you are content on the business being about you - you are the consultant, lots of face-2-face b2b transactions, maybe you might employ someone in the future... - then Sarah Helen is ideal.

If you are thinking that you want to build a brand where its about the business - you might take a backseat role in the business, or sell it, where its about we (without you being the face of the business) - then Branch Out would be better.

 

[ThorpyD]

Maybe put some choices together what members have recommended and get others to vote. Personally id say go for a name that you prefer though. Its your business and you want it to represent you.

 

[SarahLpool87]

This is my experience.

I started with the name "Excel-Expert" as I program spreadsheets for a living. This was great in the initial years as it basically told people what I did and it attracted a fair amount of business.

A fair amount of my business is repeat business, however it can be a good year or so between repeat jobs. In which time my clients forget my business name and have to do a bit of online hunting to find me again. Because I work very closely with them when I work with them, they remember my real name and search for my real name. As a result a lot of my repeat business finds me via things like my LinkedIn profile.

As a result I have switched from Excel-Expert.com to CarlNixon.biz

Hi, thanks for your input this is the issue I believe I will have, because I am not technically selling anything - just my time. I think clients will search for me via LinkedIn and other platforms through my actual name and any business name I create will be forgotten about. My brand technically is going to be myself and what I can do for the business, not a product. Thanks again, Sarah

 

[SarahLpool87]

Maybe put some choices together what members have recommended and get others to vote. Personally id say go for a name that you prefer though. Its your business and you want it to represent you.

I am doing thank you I am leaning towards calling it Sarah Helen; with the taglines including what I actually offer. I have had a lot of positive feedback regarding this option. Thanks for your input

 

[ThorpyD]

I am doing thank you I am leaning towards calling it Sarah Helen; with the taglines including what I actually offer. I have had a lot of positive feedback regarding this option. Thanks for your input

Can't go wrong with your name. Least you won't ever forget it [emoji4]

 

[SarahLpool87]

IMO: Some great ideas...

• Footprint
• Branch Out
• Sarah Helen

I think if you are content on the business being about you - you are the consultant, lots of face-2-face b2b transactions, maybe you might employ someone in the future... - then Sarah Helen is ideal.

If you are thinking that you want to build a brand where its about the business - you might take a backseat role in the business, or sell it, where its about we (without you being the face of the business) - then Branch Out would be better.

IMO: Some great ideas..
Hi, Thanks for your message.
I have done some research and branch out and footprint are very common names for all kinds of businesses so I think I am staying clear of those! Brilliant ideas though - very creative. I am leaning towards Sarah Helen a lot more, with a few different taglines attached. My business is about my time and what I can offer another business, technically I am not selling a product. It does make sense to have just my first and middle name, and also this does fit if I "branch out" in the future thanks for your input, really appreciate it, Sarah

 

[SarahLpool87]

Can't go wrong with your name. Least you won't ever forget it [emoji4]

haha very true! thank you

 

[Christine Hough]

The meaning of Sarah is princess
The meaning of Helen is shining Light

Can you work either of those into your tag line ...without sounding too naff!

 

[SarahLpool87]

The meaning of Sarah is princess
The meaning of Helen is shining Light

Can you work either of those into your tag line ...without sounding too naff!

Very creative! Maybe I can work this into my logo maybe?! Thanks

 

[#ServicedOffices]

Can't go wrong with your name. Least you won't ever forget it [emoji4]

IMO: Not many people forget their own name. Its getting other to remember it which is the entire ball game!

As Sarah is making it about herself, her name is more fitting and it will help when people are searching for her online.

Sarah - So knowing that information it is the right choice and of course if you over chose to Branch Out in the future ... could always use that haha. It is important to avoid similar business names or the same name in a different industry to avoid confusion with clients.

 

[Excel Expert]

Nothing wrong with making your name your brand

 

[amac]

Nothing wrong with making your name your brand

True. I did this when setting up my company and my company's legal name is still my name. However, it takes time to think about your brand and sometimes this evolves with your product. I may change my company's legal name to my brand if the business is successful but indeed, I may change my brand.

I think folks aren't prepared to accept a brand is not a fixed thing; it changes and evolves over-time (even the biggest brands do).

 

[Excel Expert]

It is also possible to run mini-brands.

As well as trading under my name, at one point I had two sun brands "Excel Expert" and "I Love Spreadsheets". They both had their own websites but were both clearly linked back to me. My "Excel Expert" brand was aimed at the large corporates and the "I Love Spreadsheets" was aimed at smaller businesses.

At times this worked but at times it meant keeping 3 marketing balls in the air and that was a time consumer. If I had staff and as a result to the 3 brand thing I would still be doing it.