So I am starting a small web designing business, but I need a name! I've done all kinds of brain storming and all the ideas I've had have all been taken. I could really use some help.

Some info that could help pick out a domain...

Name: Paul Hobbs (Since it is going to be a personal website for clients and myself, having perhaps hobbs or something would be kinda cool)

Target Audience: Small business owners without websites, or outdated ugly websites

.com: It needs to be .com, as it is generally the first thing that is thought of when a not-so computer inclined person searches the web

short, to the point: I see a lot of things like getyourwebsitemadehere.com, which is not that attractive, or fun to type so I would really appreciate some short ideas

easy to say, spell, remember: I hate trying to remember things, or trying to figure out how to spell them

low competition in google: So I can get to the top easier!



I hope this doesn't seem rude or anything, these are just standards that I tend to go with when I try to pick out a domain.


The only thing I have come up with so far that isn't taken is hobbsites.com
the problem with that is, people may get confused by the double B, and the lack of a second S hobbs-sites. I'm also not to sure if it sounds nice to the ear.


I really appreciate any time and effort anyone puts into this!

It's really hard to find an unregistered .com name with your requirements. I tried some .com name with your niche but they are all registered.
Sorry can't help.

Originally Posted by BruceChang

It's really hard to find an unregistered .com name with your requirements. I tried some .com name with your niche but they are all registered.
Sorry can't help.

I know how hard it is, thanks for your time trying to find something!



What do you think of
phthe3.com

I'm the third so it kind of adds a personal touch, but I don't know if it even sounds any good.

how about this
- wedesignwebsite.com/
- websitecreations.com/
- websiteshoppe.com

Be sure that your domain will be short, catchy, unique and memorable.
You know, a good domain is good money in your pocket...

hobbs-design.com? phthe3 is horrible -- if a stranger can't easily say it out loud, don't use it.

Choose an available one then set up your site as soon as you can.You shall not spare so many time on it.SEO is a long_term thing.

I never had to name a business before, I guess it's like naming a child you have to get it 100% right first time.

I'd throw a few bones into the discussion here though.

Eben pagan had something really interesting to say about naming a brand.

The reason why coca cola does so well is that the echo effect it creates in the mind which imprints it and makes it very hard to forget.

It has the same effect of repeating the word 3-4 times in your mind.

He mentioned that Palm Pilot used to do quite well in the smartphone/pda market, and then for some reason they changed their name to just Palm, and after they did that their market share dropped hugely and the blackberries came into the fold and took over.

Palm are rekindling the old magic and now go by palm pre, which has the similar echo effect.

It works with people names too
Peter Parker
Danny Devito etc

Eben Pagan goes by other pen names as well like David Deangelo, Christian Carter, it's worth bearing in mind.

Obviously you have to consider the whole package, do you want a logish name with echo effect or do you want to get a nice short and sweet name.

Originally Posted by Phobbsiii

What do you think of
phthe3.com

Whatever you do don't go with this. Not only is it difficult to remember but kinda makes no sense. Not to mention that having numbers in a domain is not advisable in the first place.

Choosing a domain name depends on what you will be selling. Your name must be relevant to the niche you are dealing with just the same way that you use keywords. I think that's the best way to choose your name.

Originally Posted by weblover50

Not to mention that having numbers in a domain is not advisable in the first place.

Somebody had better tell

O2 (o2.co.uk) and Phones4u (phones4u.co.uk) oh and me (fy3.co.uk) my postcode

and 456 Berea St (456bereastreet.com)

and 192.com, 000webhost, 50megs.com etc, etc, etc,

I suppose that there are many domain suggestion tools available in the Net.
Just try to find a good domain via them.

webartndesign.com

If you're a web developer/designer that helps small businesses, start-ups and freelancers etc. I'd suggest going with something like practical and professional, but also relative to your field.

<something> Digital Studio, Digital Media, Creative Studio.

Those company titles are much better than <....> Web Design or something of the like as they#re not generic. Also, you can nicely expand on your range of services that help small businesses establish an online presence (social media, search engine optimization).

Don't go with your name as the prefix as that's the least unique/creative name you could come up with as a web designer. You're more likely to get sales from visitors if they instantly see a flair of creativity in your site domain.

Feel free to send me a private message (one web designer to another) on the matter.

I have no issues against surnames in a biz title.

I also think numbers are fine if they fit with your branding and have a purpose..

ie in your case something like: "hobbs cre8ive - infinite design possibilities".

(on the slim possibility that you havent picked it up - An 8 turned sideways is the symbol for infinity)

To me, thats unusual, witty, and gets two linked aspects of your brand across really well. Logo design for it would be quite easy too.

www.hobbscre8ive.com doesnt seem to be taken.

Originally Posted by kokomo

www.hobbscre8ive.com doesnt seem to be taken.

There's a reason for that

Originally Posted by chrishirst

There's a reason for that

Im sure there is a reason for all of them.

But hes scraping the bottom of a barrel, in a marketplace where everyone is doing the same thing.

Besides...

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Branding IS taking a name then marketing and promoting it until it is recognised and remembered. What that name actually is, is unimportant.

I think that applies here also.

Very true, however when you are going to use "txt spk shrthnd" for your identity you need to be top notch at promotion with a healthy advertising budget.

Then of course you also need to consider marketplace perception.
What may work for the youth clothing marketplace (Kre8ive, Cre8ive) or the "trendy" mobile (cell) phone market ("phones4u") does not always work when dealing with professional business people (Unless you are Apple of course).
Now if your business budget will stretch to a spacious office block with your trendy name emblazoned across the frontage and etched into the glass doors it will add something to the perception.
However if you are a one man band working out of your spare room your brand will have to be taken seriously by the people you are selling to otherwise you face a long battle convincing potential clients that you are a credible choice.

REAL marketing and promotion for a business is much, much more than registering a hostname with keywords and link dropping at forums and "social media" sites.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Very true, however when you are going to use "txt spk shrthnd" for your identity you need to be top notch at promotion with a healthy advertising budget.

Then of course you also need to consider marketplace perception.
What may work for the youth clothing marketplace (Kre8ive, Cre8ive) or the "trendy" mobile (cell) phone market ("phones4u") does not always work when dealing with professional business people (Unless you are Apple of course).

Its interesting that you have noted the use of "txt speak" as personally, i also despise shortened forms of words and avoid them whenever i can. Text speak doesnt occur to me in this context, because i can make the fairly clear link between the 8 and the infinite symbol.

Assuming that his potential clients have half a yolk in their heads, they would also see the connection. And if they didnt, then chances are that they arent the knowledgable, corporate clients that he wants anyway.

I agree that as a stand alone name, with no pun ie: Hobbs Cre8ive it would suck mightily.

Add the related "infinite possibilities" tagline, and you have a whole different ballgame.

(ps: since youre in a constructive/criticism mood - ive added that link to my website review thread - go nuts )