Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

HELLO EVERYONE!!

i AM NEW TO THIS WHOLE FORUM THING! I AM STARTING A CARPET CLEANING BUSINESS, BUT I NEED HELP THINKING OF A NAME. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING CATCHY THAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER. I WAS THINK "ON THE SPOT" CARPET CLEANING. I NEED YOUR INPUT ON THAT NAME OR GIVE ME YOUR IDEAS ON A DIFFERENT NAME!!! thanks so much!!!

Carpet cleaning seems to be a very local business, so I would have the name of your town or city in your name and your web url (I did not know how important this was when I started my business).Note that your url does not have to match your business name exactly.

Next, what is your primary differentiator? Try to include that in your name.

Last, make your name upbeat. Something that will help your customers visualize the benefit of your service. Something like "Fairfax Like New Carpet Cleaning"

Best of Luck!

Monica

Fairfax Home Staging

In a business like that it also does not hurt to have your name start with either a number or a low letter in the alphabet (a,d,c,d).

That helps any advertising you do in yellow pages, etc. land towards the top of their directories.

People tend to  start at the top when calling companies like that.

I would be worried that "On the Spot" would lead to visions of spot cleaning or a specialty in stain removal (now, it that's your thing, great!).

The biggest issues I've had using carpet cleaning services in the past were:

• Not showing up at the appointed time
• The job taking longer than originally estimated, thus disrupting my schedule more
• High pressure selling to "upgrade" to a better cleaner, etc. once they were at the house
• Price not being what I was quoted due to my rooms being "larger" or "odd-sized" (I gave them accurate SF estimates by the way.)

Some of the best things I've run into:

• Steam cleaning of my car's carpet for a very reasonable price included in the bundle
• Annual plans that give me 4 or 6 cleanings a year for one price
• Very professional moving of furniture and protection of furniture from the damp carpet
• Accurate drying times quoted (so I knew how long to plan to be out of the house with the pets)

I definitely agree that you should pick what your differentiator is going to be and incorporate that into your name. Also, remember that people tend to shorten business names when telling their friends about them so be sure your name is different enough from your local competitors to not be confused with them. (Ace Carpet Cleaning becomes Ace carpet something as a referral).

Good luck!

Molly Donaldson

I'd be interested to see how it turns out for you.  I have thought about this line of work, but am busy trying to get another service business launched. 

As for names, you have two routes to go, Either the A or AA or AAA mentioned to get at the front of lists.  Also, how you want to be considered.  A funny name to me, may not be one wanted for a snooty company to hire to clean for them. 

Catchy names, I'd say something with sucks.

Could be your city, like Boston Sucks, LLC

"A Sucky Company" - would be near the top of the list

"We Suck"  slogan ...and are proud of it

Vac Magic - like black magic

The Carpet Authority

If i think of any others, Ill post later.  Good luck

"SuperSuck"

"Suck It Up"

The name is one thing, but also remember the largest and most successful corporations in the country had a name for their business, but they also had a strong brand.

I would think with all the competition out there, you may consider differentiating yourself not only by the name but maybe a slogan that helps your customer know what your company stands for the identity/values of your company.. and a strong Company mission statement and Vision. :) just a thought....

Humor in the name like Suck it up :D might also work haha

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HELP! I DECIDE TO GO WITH "EXTREME KLEEN" BUT AFTER I DID A SEARCH AND DID NOT FIND ANYONE USING A NAME REMOTLEY CLOSE TO THAT, I REGISTERED IT WITH THE STATE AND FOUND SOMEONE US THE NAME "EXTREME CARPET CLEANING", SO THE STATE WON'T LET ME USE IT!! SO IF ANYONE HAS ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR NAMES THAT WOULD BE AWSOME! THANKS AGAIN!!

Exciting!!!!