What’s in a name?
Brainstorming business names can be really frustrating. Gone are the days of simply using your last name and attaching “Handyman Service” to the end. If you want to maximize your ad spend, you need to go 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 “keywords” in my name? How are people going to find me? That last one is the real question, right?
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 you decide on ideas for a handyman business name, you need to do some homework to make sure you are not using someone else’s trademarked or unregistered name or something similar. DBA simply means “Doing Business Like”. You can join … let’s say you plan to expand into different areas … and name your company “Smith Enterprises LLC” DBA “Hanks Handyman Co. This 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 be selling widgets on the Internet DBA …
When you check to see if your name is already in use, you can start with a search of your favorite internet search engines, such as 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 great free resource for finding unregistered trademarks is the Thomas Register website at thomasnet.com
Don’t get bogged down with business name ideas here. If your name is Hank, you can call your company “Hank’s Handyman Service.” Be aware that it could make it difficult to sell when you’re ready to retire, to anyone other than 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 don’t look professional. If you have a reliable vehicle with a magnetic sign or a truck with your logo painted on the side, you can still be a pro.
If your goal is to grow your handyman business as large as possible, don’t compromise on your trade name ideas. Here are some points to consider when choosing a name for a service business:
1. Use a first initial that is early in the alphabet. Finally, your company name will appear in an alphabetical list. It is better to be at the top of this list than at the end. Imagine you’ve decided to attend a local home trade show with 250 exhibitors. Do you want to be in the top 30 or bottom 30 of that list?
2. Make sure you choose a name that has an internet domain available. Even if you’re not ready to start a web page, you can reserve your domain name for about $ 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 to help you choose a name that not only goes well with your business, but also has “keywords” that will help you grow on the internet.
If you are not already there, 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 are ready to start your online presence.
3. Avoid using numbers. People won’t remember to use numbers (123) or to spell the number (one, two, three).
4. It sounds different but logical. This may seem almost impossible, since the only way to express what you do is to use the word “Handyman” in your name. Be creative to differentiate yourself from the other companies out there. If your deceased decided not to use Handyman on your behalf, think about what you do. Your company takes care of home repairs, home maintenance and to-do list, etc.