Hi, everyone.

I came up with the name "Affordable Business Solutions" and I think it is a pretty good name. However, I need help with the following:

Logo -I have NO ideas for a logo. I was thinking maybe just my bus name with some colors and special font?

Website - Who can I go to for website creation?

Tag line - For the tag line I was thinking of something simple like "How may I assist you?". But that does not sound original enough to me. Any suggestions?

Since money is tight I need cost effective ways to get this done. Any and ALL advice is appreciated.

BJE

Hi Barb, there is a company called logonerds that has gotten rave reviews on the site, they'll draft a professional logo for you for as little as $27 (can't beat that!) I've seen some of the logos they've done for members and they're quite good really

As to your website options, check out the YOUR VIRTUAL ASSISTANT BUSINESS WEBSITE section of the boards for lots of information and conversations on affordable and even free websites.

Wishing you the best of luck in creating your business persona! Your brand is such a personal and important part of your practice, don't rush through the branding process and don't worry if you don't have all the pieces in place right away. Your brand can always evolve as you and your business do.

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Barb,

You might want to do some checking on that name, like Googling it. There are a few other companies on the web using Affordable Business Solutions.

Here are a few:

http://www.afbsolutions.net/index2.html
http://www.abs.in/
http://www.affordablebizz.com/
http://www.ab4you.com/

Always check with your states Corporation Commission or Secretary of State to verify the availability of a company name. This saves a lot of time and hassles down the road.

Best of Luck,
Julie

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Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com

Hello Barb,

I am new and working on my business name, logo, etc. as well. Tess is definitely right and said what I too needed to hear. Take your time when it comes to branding. When I thought of starting this business a few years back I came up with a name in one day, bought a website, and then realized that it wasn't exactly what I wanted after I was locked into a domain name.

This time I am putting a lot of thought into it.

I have used 1 and 1 in the past and the site received rave reviews from an IT company I onced worked for. The package I am looking at now has two domain names, web hosting, and email, for 4.99 annually the first year. And yes next year it will go up to 7.99 monthly but that’s not bad. The web builder is pretty easy to use as well and you have the option of uploading your own pics and such.

One thing I have found helpful during this start up stage is to keep a lil notebook with me at all times. You never know where and when you will run into inspiration.

I have heard everyone talk about writing down what you like to do and who you want to help. I have been using this to also help me come up with my tagline and business name. I have a notebook filled with one liners and I look at them constantly and start connecting. "What do I want", "Who do I want to help", "How am I different from my colleagues", "What impression do I want my customers to have", etc.

Well hope this helps. Good Luck, what you are looking for is right around the corner and will roll off your tongue quicker than you can write it down.

Nicole

Thank you for posting as I had the very same questions.

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Kimberly

Barb: Once you've decided on a business name and tagline, let me know! I'll make you a logo and help you with your website. I'll do it for free, as long as I can put it in my portfolio.

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Katie B.
Helping Hands VA- Coming Soon!

Hi, Katie.

I have NO problems with that! I will even write up a testimonal for you to include in your portfolio.

Just email me on the side so we can discuss the details (bjever@aol.com).

This forum is AWESOME!! LOL!!

Barb

I had my logo designed at 48hourslogo.com. It works pretty much the same way as logonerds. I chose it because I saw more logos that I liked better there.

One feature they have (don't know if logonerds does this) is that you can look at the portfolios of individual graphic designers and if you see someone whose work you really like, you can invite them to work on your project.

sounds weird... but I have and like www.godaddy.com for my website

We use godaddy as well at my office and have never had any problems with it.

Kim

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Kimberly