I have decided not to use "virtual" in my business name. I have read so many posts about people not understanding the term. I'd rather spend my time telling people what I can do rather than how (virtually or from a brick and mortar location) I indend to do it.

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Sandy

I originally was using the name Virtual Business Alliances (hence the vballiances member name) but on the advice of my marketing guru, I changed it to The Alliances, with a tag line of Virtual Business Solutions. The recommendation was that my printed material would have use the word virtual and explain what I do, but The Alliances was such that people would want to ask what I do--then I would have the opportunity to tell them!

Sylvia

Hope it works!!

Wow! This name thing is giving me trouble too! I question everything I come up with. My problem is I want something catchy, but not gimmicky. I will be eventually be launching my business with limited services, I will be including more IT services as I get more certs. So I don't want a name that will not be pertinent/ reflect my business down the road. Dilemmas, dilemmas, the stress of knowing this will be in print, online, my new identity can be overwhelming.

I am in the same situation. I am contemplating on several names to choose for my business but I am stuck. I personally do not like the term virtual in the business name as I feel it is to specific and could restrain you in the long run if you want to branch out. I also was contemplating on whether or not to put the world solutions in the business name as most people already have that. I want my business name to be specific to the industry but at the same time something that I can use to grow with because as my business grows I want to expand to a lot of departments and with the word virtual in it, it won't really fit.

Wow - you have given me much to think about! The term Virtual is a bit confusing. If I state simply "Administrative Services", then I think everyone will know what I mean without further explanation. However, if I state "Virtual...", they always get this dazed look on their faces!

I chose to go the route of not including Virtual in my business name. I need to come up with a tag line that tells everyone what I do without limiting myself through my company name. I will be offering more then just administrative services so I think I will also be marketing as Business Solutions.

Everyone has great points as to why or why not to include virtual in the business name. I think it is just personal preference.

I have to give this alot of thought as well. I currently have a small payroll business with a few clients now mostly because I hadn't heard of the term "virtual assistant" until a week ago. I really like the concept and want to expand my business so I'll have to think of a new name.

I also had a hard time deciding whether to put "Virtual" in my business name. But I finally decided to just go with what sounded good to me, what I really liked, and something that would be easy to remember. But I did use "Virtual" in my tag line as Diana Ennen mentioned.

Good luck in making your decision. I know that it will be a great one!

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Michelle Colvin
www.MLCBusinessSolutions.com

I've been toying with this idea as well. After reading this thread, I'm leaning more towards not having virtual in my company name, but to incorporate it in to a tag line. Thanks for all of the great suggestions out there : )

I struggled with my business name as well and before I got serious I had created a website, bought a domain name and realized that my business name was not really suitable for what I wanted the business to eventually be. I chose to include Business Solutions because I wanted to be known as a solution provider for businesses. I have learned the power of "speaking those things that are not as if they were so" from my spritual walk and I am always amazed as to how this practice influences my personal and business life! Now I just need to change my domain name, LOL.