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Original poster

How did you come up with a name for your business?

27 replies

flatbread · 01/12/2011 20:56

I can't seem to find any that a) I like b) describe the business and c) internet domain is available.

I liked one name, but DH said it sounds dodgy, like an x rated site

I really need to get started but am stuck because I cannot decide on a name and buy the domain

How did you decide on a name and are you happy with it?

OP posts:
catinboots · 01/12/2011 20:57

What's the business??

pickgo · 01/12/2011 20:59

try to get a name that instantly communicates what you do!

Original poster
flatbread · 01/12/2011 21:04

True, but all the names that describe the business seem to be taken, or the dotcom version is no longer available.

It will be an internet based short-term letting business. So weekly self-catered holiday lets, b&B accommodation and the like.

I am embarrassed to tell you the name I like (that DH thinks is x rated), but in any case, that domain is taken as well (but isn't an active site, iykwim).

OP posts:
Original poster
flatbread · 01/12/2011 21:51

Am I allowed to post a bunch of possible names I came up with to get your feedback? I do think most are meh, but hopefully you think differently Smile?

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 02/12/2011 13:12

go for it

tinytalker · 02/12/2011 16:25

Go on show us your list!
Off the top of my head, how about:
Home from Home
Home Sweet Home

or go for intials ? & ? rentals

SanTEEClaus · 02/12/2011 16:36

If .com isn't available, is .co.uk? My business is named the same as one in the US and they got to .com before I did, so I have .co.uk.

Good thing I do general graphic design and they specialize in wedding stationery!

Go on, give a us a list!

Original poster
flatbread · 02/12/2011 23:35

tiny I like both, but the domain names are taken. I need the dot com and uk version as we have properties in both regions.

ok, here is my lame effort so far Grin. Of the ones below, I like specialplaces.com but it is taken, so maybe some variation?

Blusky
Brightleaves
Earthstay
Hogogo (hang out grill out go out)
Holigo
Mystay
Paystay
Safehaven
Specialplaces
Specialstays
Strawberrystays

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 03/12/2011 16:50

specialtyplaces ??

mranchovy · 03/12/2011 17:02

Flatbread only one of those .com domains is available, each of the others has been registered for years.

If you don't know how to use whois, use a reputable registrar (I'd suggest 123-reg, UK2.net or GoDaddy) to check what is available - although you are going to need a good IT partner so why not let them do that bit.

This is a very crowded market, I'd say you need at least 3 things to get a foot on the ladder:

  1. a unique angle
  2. a rock-solid web site with a reliable team keeping you visible on Google, Facebook etc and a pay-per-click budget that can afford some of the most expensive keywords there are
  3. a good portfolio of properties to launch with

Good luck!

mranchovy · 03/12/2011 17:03

That's available Talkinpeace (at the moment Grin)

TalkinPeace2 · 03/12/2011 17:05

putting "the" on the front of the domain name frees up lots of options

I'm looking up a company name for my business at the moment so have far too many tabs open!

mranchovy · 03/12/2011 18:28

putting "the" on the front of the domain name frees up lots of options

The problem with that is that you live for ever with the threat of the person that owns the domain without the 'the' turning it into a porn link site so whenever.

My company is two words and I couldn't get the .com so I have it with a hyphen in the middle: the .com is a well established company in Australia in a different line of business so we live happily together.

TalkinPeace2 · 03/12/2011 18:32

true - for DH's company we have three variants of it parked
and a US company has the .com

OP
what about leaving the .com and going for the .biz?

Original poster
flatbread · 03/12/2011 18:44

Thanks for the feedback. I like specialtyplaces - thanks for the suggestion!

My favorite from the list is hogogo, which is an urban term for having a fun summer. I had registered ihogogo, as that was available, but DH didn't like the name, and thought it was somewhat suggestive of an x-rated site. What do you think?

So tell me the images that come to your mind if you book a self-catering holiday or b&b through

specialtyplaces.com
vs
ihogogo.com

I do have an excellent developer who is working on the site. We need to get it registered soon, so that we can get the code hosted and start testing the functionality. It is a tough market though, and the downturn will just make it even more competitive.

OP posts:
mranchovy · 03/12/2011 19:24

I see you are already familiar with GoDaddy.

HOGOGO doesn't make me think of hos, although it didn't mean anything to me either and doesn't seem to be a term in widespread use (half the words on urbandictionary.com were made up by the contributor - and HOGO is on there with an unfortunate and unlikely sounding definition). IHOGOGO is at least fairly easy to type and remember, although you might like to make an offer on hogogo dot com anyway - I wouldn't have thought it is worth more than a couple of $100 at this stage (although the more you discuss this on an open forum the more it is likely to go up!). You need to consider whether this will chime with your target market though, and for that matter with your product - how do you 'grill out' in a B&B?

I think specialtyproperties is a bit awkward, and you'd have to make sure you covered specialityproperties as well.

Original poster
flatbread · 03/12/2011 21:19

I think you have hit the nail one the head - ihogogo is easy to remember, but doesn't evoke an image. The target customers are 30+, so perhaps it may be come across as too hip (and not quite accurate, as noted)

Specialtyplaces seems a good description, but perhaps a bit hard to remember?

OP posts:
mranchovy · 04/12/2011 01:15

I see you went for specialtyplaces. As I say you'll have to double up with specialityplaces on all domains, and specialplaces.com is a similar business (but in a very specific location). It is not very catchy though as you can see from me misreading it as specialtyproperties!

If you're going to keep buying domains, find somehere better than Namesco - GoDaddy best for .com, although you may not like their owner's ethics.

mranchovy · 04/12/2011 01:20

Ah, cheapnames.com is just a GoDaddy reseller.

Original poster
flatbread · 04/12/2011 09:53

Well, I haven't decided yet...keeping both options in the running for now.

I somehow never liked godaddy (although now I have a reason Grin). I like 123reg, but they are considerably more expensive than others.

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 05/12/2011 15:02

well I've just taken the plunge and registered my new one with companies house
just the HMRC and insurance paperwork to do before starting to use it after Christmas

mranchovy · 05/12/2011 15:33

I hope you have bought any domains you want so you get there ahead of any cybersquatters monitoring companies house registrations.

TalkinPeace2 · 05/12/2011 16:11

:-)
not yet
its a company that will never advertise other than word of mouth - same as my sole tradership has been
not even sure I'll bother with pop mail just yet

TracyK · 05/12/2011 16:49

what about letmestay.co.uk and com

Saffra · 05/12/2011 22:57

Like letmestay.co.uk and .com. Memorable, says what is is and easy to spell.

Do you know what keywords you'll be targeting? From SEO perspective, having KWs in your domain name is advantageous. Another angle to consider depending on what your promotional plans are.

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