Should I change my business name?

[~Stormy~]

Okay, y'all, I'm putting it out there. For a while now I've been thinking about changing my business name (Back Country Massage). I've had it for almost two years. I based the name on a model of doing house calls in our pretty rural area, but that didn't pan out and I got an office in the nearest town (pop. 15,000; the county has 36,000). I've been in my current office for 1 yr. and 3 mos. I have a smallish but growing clientele and am able to let them all know via email or snail mail if I change my business name. I can also redirect my current web site to the new web address, so I won't lose click-throughs and searches on the old name. I've done some marketing, but probably not enough to garner any real general name recognition.

Now I'm wanting to narrow my focus (or at least market myself in a more targeted way) to a more medical massage practice; specifically Orthopedic Massage (which I'm studying and have started to practice to a limited degree). I'm thinking about targeting active audiences (athletes, outdoorsy types, etc.) and others who deal with injury and limited ROM. Almost no-one else in my town does this (one uses "Wellness", another "Healing Center"), everyone has generalized names, and very few have web sites.

I'm considering "Active Life Massage Therapy" and have already reserved the domain name for the time being. But this brings up two questions:

1) Should I make a change? The second response/comment on this article made me think I should:
http://mrefstamp.freechiromarketingsecrets.com/blog/index.php/41/whats-your-massage-eforum.xxxline/
Also, a new therapist in town just named her business "Back to Nature Massage" ... which puts her just after me in the phone book, uses the same first word as my name ("Back"), and her location is much more visible than mine (another thing I'm chewing on ... changing my location, though I admit I love it! ... it's just not visible enough). This is another reason that's spurring me to change my business name. A name starting with the letter A is preferred, though with our shortish list of therapists maybe that doesn't matter.

2) Is Active Life Massage Therapy the right name change?

a) There are several "Active Life Massage" businesses in various states, though only one has ActiveLifeMassage.com (mine would be ActiveLifeMassageTherapy.com). I do know that most people locally search on "massage" and the very unique name of my business town, so I'd probably come up on the first Google results page (as I do several times currently). I don't think the other Active Life's out there would interfere much with me getting new local customers.

b) Does the name convey the right image? Will people think my services are only for active people, but not the injured? Should I pick an even more literal name, such as (I'm totally brainstorming here) Massage for Mobility, Medical Massage VA (for Virginia), Active Life OrthoMassage, Active Life Medical Massage, etc.

Any thoughts?

 

[icarus62]

Should I change my business name?

Hi.

I like ActiveLife... and it invokes the thought of REI everytime I hear it. (REI is a business, in case you don't know it. A very nifty business ) I don't know how I like it on a card... I have to look into my minds eye and think about that. Since you are in Virginia, I am wondering if you could incorporate a pine tree or something into it. (I am playing with photoshop, so I'll make something and put it up later as a visual thought).

I would also suggest that you look through this thread and see if there are any other names that suit you. A lot of people have added a lot of thoughts over the years and many are pretty neat!

• Great Business Names

So, I played around and though it is not your logo, it gave me an idea of how it would look on paper. I sent you a copy of the below sample card, with your address/phone number to your PM account, so you can see the full thing there.

Also, I like your office (checked out you website). Love the red building... don't think I'd move. People can seriously remember that, even if you don't have "exposure". It's so cute!!!!

Regarding part "b" of your question. I do think it will pull the "active" people to your business. But you have the whole back of your card to talk about rehabilitation and the like... so you should be able to bring in the "inactive" ones too. Returning them TO a world of activity!



10/05/09: edited for a typo

 

[Cjfogler15]

Should I change my business name?

I like it. I go under the business name For Active Lives Massage.

 

[cassandras_evil_sister3]

Should I change my business name?

Thanks for the encouragement! And Pueppi, thanks for mocking up a card idea. I like your "returning them to a world of activity" angle. I'll chew on that, it has possibilities.

The problem with my location: It's in a mostly residential community on a one way street, and the way my building and front door are situated (facing UP the street), people driving up the street never see the front of my office ... and if they don't see it, they won't remember it. That's what I mean by a poor location.

Still pondering!

Marlene

 

[martinhea13]

Should I change my business name?

Do you have a small sign that can be placed out front where it is more visible from the street? How about a temporary sign that can be put out when you're in the office, and put away when you are closed?