What’s in a name?
Coming up with business name ideas can be really frustrating. Gone are the days of using just your last name and appending “Service Handyman” to the end. If you want to maximize your advertising spend, you need to be online. When it comes to your business name… you have a website to think about. You need to ask yourself some questions. Is my URL going to be too long? Will I have any “keywords” in my name? How will people find me? That last one is the real question, isn’t it?
There are many things to consider before choosing a business name. Business planning is the most important thing you can do, so consider naming your business as part of the planning process and not as a starting point.
If you are using a fictitious business name, you must also file a “DBA” in your state. Before settling on handyman business name ideas, you need to do some homework to make sure you’re not using someone else’s trademarked or unregistered name or something similar. DBA simply means “doing business as”. You can incorporate…let’s say you plan to expand into different areas…and name your company “Smith Enterprises LLC” DBA “Hanks Handyman Co. That way, instead of applying for a new business license for each business…everything all you have to do is file a DBA Smith Enterprises LLC could also sell widgets on the internet DBA…wonderfulwidgets.com
By checking to see if your name is already being used, you can start with a search of your favorite internet search engines like Google or Yahoo. Some states may even have a fictitious name database, so check with your county clerk’s office to see if your desired name is already in use. Another excellent free resource for finding unregistered trademarks is the Thomas registration website at thomasnet.com
Don’t get carried away with the hub here with business name ideas. If your name is Hank, you can call your company “Hank’s Handyman Service.” Keep in mind that it might be harder to sell it when you’re ready to retire, to anyone not named Hank. Using your name can give your business the appearance of a small local service, which is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean you won’t look professional. If you have a reliable vehicle with a magnetic sign or a van with your logo painted on the side, you can still be a pro.
If your goal is to grow your handyman business as much as possible, don’t compromise on your business name ideas. Here are some points to consider when choosing a name for a service business:
1.Use a first initial that is at the beginning of the alphabet. Finally, your company name will appear in an alphabetical list. It is better to enter at the top of this list than at the bottom. Imagine that you have decided to attend a local trade show with 250 exhibitors. Do you want to be in the top 30 or bottom 30 on that list?
2.Make sure you choose a name that has an Internet domain that is available. Even if you’re not ready to start a website, you can reserve your domain name for around $10 a year. If you plan to have a web presence, consider doing what I have done with this website. I decided to have my site Powered by Site Build It because of all the tools they have that help you choose a name that not only goes with your business, but also has “key words” that will help your business grow on the internet.
If it’s not there yet, you can go to http://www.Godaddy.com or http://www.Register.com to reserve your domain name now. You can even register three or four names which will give you some flexibility when you’re ready to start your online presence.
3. Avoid using numbers. People won’t remember to use numbers (123) or spell the number (one, two, three).
4.Sound different logical purpose. This may sound next to impossible since the only way to convey what you do is to use the word “Handyman” in your name. Be creative to differentiate yourself from other companies. If you’re determined not to use Handyman on your behalf, think about what you do. Your company does home repairs, home maintenance, and to-do list, etc.