So there I was discussing website design with one of my clients. As usual, the discussion took place at his premises. We sat down and talked about how I could help his business with website presence. After about 15 minutes of convincing game, he was finally convinced (at least that what looked like to me) and told me to email him the details of what I needed to get started.
Shake his hands, and presented him my business cards, in case he needed to contact me before I did. He stared at the business card for about 5 seconds as if trying to pronounce my business name. I asked him if there was anything wrong with the card; he told me that I should get an easier business name to pronounce. I smiled at him and shook his hands for the second time and we parted our ways.
On the way to my car, I thought about what he said, and it suddenly hit me that perhaps he was right, I should get an easier name for people to remember and to pronounce it. I remembered to almost always spell my business name letter by letter every time someone on the phone asked me what my business name was. And I guess I was too stubborn to admit that the name Quantiva was rather too "techie" and harder to remember. I kept telling myself that if they took the time to spell it, they would be able to.
This stubbornness might have caused me a lot of business without me realising it, until my good client spelt it out for me in front of my face.
So, determined to get a better domain name, I chose "Sydney Web Service" which now I am confidence that it is much easier to say and remember. So Sydney Web Service was born.
The moral of this story for any business starters is get a business name that other people (your prospects) can remember and say. Don't try to pick a name that sounded so grand that people have difficulties remembering it.
