Thinking Of Changing My Business Name...

Business By CakeShopLex Updated 4 Sep 2013 , 3:39am by shanter

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CakeShopLex Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 5:39pm
post #1 of 17

Currently mu business name is Chrissy's Cake Shop.  I am thinking of changing the name for a few reasons..... 1. I want customers to know that I offer more that cakes.   2.  Not sure that using my name is a great idea for growth.

 

Any thoughts or ideas?  I am thinking of a few names but nothing that is set in stone.

 

Would it be too confusing for my 800 FB friends to learn my new name?

16 replies
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Godot Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 5:44pm
post #2 of 17

ADon't like any of the alternatives.

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CakeGeekUk Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 6:33pm
post #3 of 17

Hi Chrissy,it's not ideal to change a business name after launching, but it's not a huge problem either if you really want to go for it.  Make sure you spread the message far and wide, if you do.

 

I think it's important to have a name you really feel represents your business and that you're happy with, so go for it.

 

For internet marketing purposes I think it's a good idea to have your target market area included in your business name/domain name.  That way when potential customers google "wedding cakes Lexington", your business name ranks high in the search results.  Good luck Chrissy and let us know what you decide on!

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smokeysmokerton Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 11:35pm
post #4 of 17

I think a first name in a business screams "small", which you might not always be. Whatever you decide on, you may have to do "(new name) formally Chrissy's Cake Shop" for a bit but people will catch on eventually.

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shanter Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 11:49pm
post #5 of 17

I wouldn't use "Lil'" - If you choose that one, please write it out. Otherwise it looks amateurish/childish (IMHO). But "A Little Piece of Heaven" doesn't indicate what kind of business it is.

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jason_kraft Posted 3 Sep 2013 , 11:49pm
post #6 of 17

ABefore changing your name I recommend looking at your overall marketing strategy to see how well it meshes with your target market. For example, you may want to have a professional look at your web site and how you are advertising online to see if any improvements can be made.

Personally I think "Chrissy's Cake Shop" is just fine for a name (all three options in the poll are vague and generic), but your tagline "designer quality at an affordable price" is sending mixed messages. Are you targeting price-sensitive customers or people who are willing to pay for a quality product?

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:25am
post #7 of 17

Honestly, your current name is the best of the four options.

It's easy to remember, easy to spell, you know what you are selling and you already have a reputation built up.

Unless you are planning on franchising, there is no reason you can't continue to grow under the name, (even then... ever heard of Wendy's :P).

If you were to make any change, I would just take out the 'shop', and leave it as Chrissy Cakes.

The names you have chosen are so different from what you have, people will just be confused.

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morganchampagne Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:33am
post #8 of 17

A

Original message sent by scrumdiddlycakes

Honestly, your current name is the best of the four options. It's easy to remember, easy to spell, you know what you are selling and you already have a reputation built up. Unless you are planning on franchising, there is no reason you can't continue to grow under the name, (even then... ever heard of Wendy's :P). If you were to make any change, I would just take out the 'shop', and leave it as Chrissy Cakes. The names you have chosen are so different from what you have, people will just be confused.

Agree.

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kikiandkyle Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:33am
post #9 of 17

ADon't forget Gigi's Cupcakes too, she's doing ok!

I think the best thing is to let your customers know that you do other stuff, do you have plenty of photos of your other products on your website and Facebook page?

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CakeShopLex Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:41am
post #10 of 17

I have lots of pictures on FB and on my site of cakes. I am trying to widen my clientele by adding more options.  Not too many - so that they are overwhelmed - but I would also like to get the local customers with a sweet tooth that might not want cake.

 

Thank you for all of your comments.  I am sticking with Chrissy's Cake Shop as of now.... 

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johnson6ofus Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:46am
post #11 of 17

I think "cakes" in the name is fine because I (as a customer) assume full service bakery, reinforced as stated above- by your website and facebook pages. Whereas adding "cupcakes", "pops", or "cookies"... I would assume IS a limited business. 

 

So it may not be a "limiting" as you originally believed....

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emetz74 Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:47am
post #12 of 17

How about Chrissy's Sweets or Chrissy's Sweet Shop?

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BrandisBaked Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 1:53am
post #13 of 17

AI used to have my first name in my business name and I changed it for several reasons. It can be done easily, and if you're a home based baker, You are probably small enough that not many people will be confused. I would make several announcements along the line of "in anticipation of our future expansion, we are changing our name! " make it sound fun and exciting though, not like you're running from creditors. LOL!

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 2:10am
post #14 of 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandisBaked 

I used to have my first name in my business name and I changed it for several reasons. It can be done easily, and if you're a home based baker, You are probably small enough that not many people will be confused. I would make several announcements along the line of "in anticipation of our future expansion, we are changing our name! " make it sound fun and exciting though, not like you're running from creditors. LOL!

hehehe

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sewsugarqueen Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 2:36am
post #15 of 17

I like your name Chrissy;s cake shop ..add------- & pastries. to name.. would let them know more than just cakes. 

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kikiandkyle Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 3:09am
post #16 of 17

A

Original message sent by CakeShopLex

I have lots of pictures on FB and on my site of cakes. I am trying to widen my clientele by adding more options.  Not too many - so that they are overwhelmed - but I would also like to get the local customers with a sweet tooth that might not want cake.

Thank you for all of your comments.  I am sticking with Chrissy's Cake Shop as of now.... 

You can get the customers looking for other stuff by using keywords etc, people don't just go by the name when they're looking for something. Get photos of your other products on your site, post 'don't forget we're now offering cake pops/etc' on your Facebook, and just get the word out.

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shanter Posted 4 Sep 2013 , 3:38am
post #17 of 17

How about "Chrissy's Cakes and More"?

or "Chrissy's Cakes etc."?

 

That way you keep your name recognition and state that you make things other than cakes.

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