Need some marketing/branding advise...

Thatdesignlady.com looks easier to ready than the other. I know people who change their business name and it doesn't hurt your business. It can give it a new spark as it is a legitimate excuse to contact all your customers. You can make it into a positive marketing event by having a "grand opening" of your new name etc. Just keep your old domain name and keep it connected to your website and then you won't lose anyone and you won't mess up your SEO.

Had a look at your website and found it to be perfectly fine. Moreover if am not wrong your business is doing well too. I would suggest against any change to your existing business name unless you really feel otherwise - Why fix a thing which is not broken! Infact you can think of positioning your existing business brandname even better by offering new, better and niche services...

-Anita CM

I think "that design gal" is easier to remember than "Lolalu design". I am a believer of "made to stick". A business name that sticks serves customers well. How would that benefit your biz?

"Lolalu" can be retired strategically so it won't abrupt your current business flow.

Change shows growth. It's a good thing!

Hey Anita, you bring up a very good question. I think since you have just had the name two years, you are safe at considering a name change. But I do suggest you really think this over as it's a big step and will cost you a few bucks.

It does sound like you have branded yourself pretty good with this name, so that is another thing to take under consideration. Our other business, Cat's Eye Group, started out at Cat's Eye Graphics, but as we added services, we made that minor change. But I can tell you that several years later people were still using "graphics".

Also, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. I agree that Howard has done a wonderful job at branding himself. But not to sound sexist here, both "gal" and "lady" sound very old fashioned to me. And I can't remember the last time I heard someone use "gal".

I'm sure you will get some great feedback and perspective here. But I would suggest to go with what your "gut feeling" is. You know your biz, your brand, and I'm sure you will make the decision that works for you.

~bob

I like "Gal" more than "Lady." To actually leverage the name change, make it a real event, a roll-out. Contact all your past clients and current contacts, run a discount rate or sale on your services for a limited time, and even throw a reception or sale. You can even generate some PR or cheap/free advertising around it if you're creative. Good luck!

Al Polito

Anita... in my humble opinion, I think anything you do that encourages positive recognition of you (and subsequently your business) is a good thing to do.

I don't think it's necessary to change the name of your business to market yourself. People "buy you first" and it really doesn't matter who they write the check to when using your service.

BTW: I market myself to meet people that may need my services or can refer me to others as "That Sales Guy" so that I'm not just another "Sales Trainer". It's a "marketing" thing.

Please write your checks to "Biz Financial Service, LLC", which doesn't inspire a lot of interest, (from a marketing viewpoint) does it?

Anita,

I think you should stick with your current name, but rebrand if you feel the need. I think the name 'Lolalu Design' is much more unique than 'That Design Gal/Lady'. 'That Design Gal/Lady' can almost get lost in the world because it can refer to any female designer. Whereas 'Lolalu Design' is sticks out more and easier to tie to YOU. It also helps prompt the conversation of how you came up with the name. Maybe sometime you'll get some extra business because it strikes up a conversation with another cat lover. There is no reason that your new domains can't point to lolaludesign.com though! Or, you could even use 'That Design Gal/Lady' as a pen name on your blog, articles and/or newsletters.

Also, I agree with one of the previous comments about Gal or Lady being a little old fashioned. However, something like Girl or Chick isn't appropriate either!

As for what I do, I am still in love with my company name "Call Me Amy Design". I came up with it as a domain name years before I started my business, then was lucky enough to secure a corresponding phone number (444-4AMY). So I'll hopefully never change either :) I do however, get sick of my website design and/or branding about once a year or two, so I redo it when I have time.

I will bet that it will hurt changing the name. If your going to change the logo, change it slightly. Many people feel confused when things are changed. Good book to read to understand why is "who moved my cheese". Please email me with more about your business. I am very intrested.

Anita -

Go with your true "gut instinct" in regards to the name change. What name will best reflect your personality, your business, how you want to perceived in the marketplace, and where you want your business to be in the future?

I spent nearly a decade being discouraged by others in regards to changing my business name. When I finally put the new name in place I felt my business image finally truly defined who I was and what I did.

The name change gave me an incredible opportunity to reintroduce myself to former clients, design publications and the traditional media. My business improved greatly. My self-promotion efforts led to a great many articles being written about my business - and the chance to write articles and books of my own.

Ten years later my brand is still a strong and recognizable presence in the design industry - and 80-85% of my clients tell me they have chosen to hire me based on my own business name and logo. I have no plans to make another identity change.

Best of luck with your immediate decision and all your future business efforts.

Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Vote for me! • StartupNation Home-Based 100

Some great comments here. I think Jeff's suggestion about listening to yourself is right on the money. However, I also agree with Amy. The original name has a uniqueness to it that suggests creativity and designing outside the box, where as "design gal" doesn't. Have you considered incorporating some version of "the design gal" into a tag line so that you have access to both? Please keep us informed about what you decide. best, Karen