Tuesday 10 April 2007

Should we change our name?

OK, this is the big question.






We've been toying for a while with the idea of changing our name back to RedJacks. I am guessing that most readers of this blog are fairly familiar with our business and know that when I founded the company back in 2001 it was called RedJacks. We changed our name to 0800handyman in 2003, believing that the concept of alphanumeric phone numbers would really take off in the UK.

In the US, it is very common and widely understood concept. Most companies over there seem to have what they call a vanity number. Want to book a meeting room at Holiday Inn? Call 1-800-MEETING. Need some flowers? Call 1-800-FLOWERS. And, yes, if you need a handyman in America you can call 1-800-HANDYMAN.

But it hasn't really taken off here in the UK. How many of you even understand what I am talking about? Many of you probably don't. Recently our web designer was running late for a meeting and he got his girlfriend to call me because he didn't have our number with him. He didn't know that our name is our number, that he could call us by dialling 0800 and then spelling out h-a-n-d-y-m-a-n on his phone. If our web designer, who is worked with our name and logo for years, didn't understand that point, then I am guessing that a lot of our customers don't either.

So, given that we think many (most?) people don't understand why we are called 0800handyman, does that matter? Maybe people just think we have a slightly odd name, but the important thing is that we fix their shelves, or fit a new tap for them, or whatever, and it doesn't matter much what we are called?

Well, maybe, but we have been running a test ad for RedJacks on Google Adwords recently and, without divulging too much sensitive information, I can say that it has received significantly higher click-through-rate than the exact same ad using the 0800handyman brand.

Why would that be? I suppose because there are now quite a few handyman-type businesses around, all called handy-this and handy-that. RedJacks stands out from the crowd. 0800handyman doesn't?

But we have been called 0800handyman for several years now, would it be wise to discard all the brand awareness we have built up and have to convince everyone we are now called RedJacks?

Big decision.

Thoughts, anyone?

10 comments:

Scott McLean said...

Now that is a big question?

Looking at your company from a distance my gut feeling is for you to stay with - 0800handyman.

Whether thats because since i have been aware of your company about 2 years ago its been called 0800handyman or if simply its because it says straight away on the tin exactly what you do - i dont know but even with the 0800 in the name its still catches my eye.


For some reason Redjacks does not jump out at me. But im sure with your already excellent media coverage and campaigns - it would quickly gather pace again.

...I just asked my wife what she thought and she said 0800handyman is catchy, friendly and reassuring. On the Redjacks name she would not know what it meant or stood for.

So, i know your main question was about people knowing how to call you, but given simply the name of 0800handyman or Redjacks we would go with the former.

Anonymous said...

0800Handyman is too Yellow Pages, too 00000AAAAARipYouOff. Redjacks is original and suggests what you do, which is cooler than spelling it out.

Anonymous said...

Who or what is a redjack? We know what a handyman is but alas the other name means nothing to us. Having taken a poll in our office - 1 in favour of a name change and 6 say keep it!

Well done for having a vote too - seems like most people like the 0800 name.

Anonymous said...

Redjacks sounds like a fast food product or gaming site--

Name Change UK said...

Why do we need to change our name? Are we never satisfied with it? If you will ask me, I won’t change my name either. I love my name (laughing). Hope you do as well.

Unknown said...

2016-3-2 leilei
nike trainers
ray ban sunglasses
mont blanc pens
ralph lauren
canada gooses outlet
cheap basketball shoes
adidas shoes
michael kors outlet
canada goose jackets
mcm handbags
michael kors
toms outlet
michael kors bags
ray ban sunglasses
marc jacobs handbags
coach factory outlet online
adidas superstars
ed hardy
nike store uk
pandora charms
uggs on sale
nike air max 95
louboutin pas cher
fitflop shoes
michael kors handbags
air max
toms outlet
cheap toms
christian louboutin uk
canada goose uk
coach outlet online
coach outlet online
adidas uk
air max
nike uk
louis vuitton outlet onlne
toms outlet
air jordan shoes
michael kors uk
sac longchamp pliage

Unknown said...

zhengjx20160601
vans sneakers
coach outlet store online clearances
toms shoes outlet online
vans outlet
longchamp outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet online
true religion outlet
louis vuitton
coach outlet
ladies cartier watches
louis vuitton handbags
rolex watches
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet clearance
christian louboutin sale clearance
ray ban sunglasses outlet
insanity workout
retro 11
rolex watches
jordan retro 11
beats by dre outlet
louis vuitton outlet
kate spade outlet
coach outlet online
louboutin shoes
michael kors outlet
adidas superstar shoes
ralph lauren outlet
fitflops
retro jordans 13
cheap oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
replica watches
longchamp handbags
louis vuitton outlet stores
coach outlet online
air jordan 4
tods outlet store
oakley canada

miki said...

0815jejeUne expérience adidas zx flux adv verve solide, lourde, de métal vous permet déjà de connaître ce point en ne chaussures nike cortez pas cher brisant pas, et bon, si d'une manière ou d'une air jordan 11 blanche et bleu autre il fait - c'est vraiment confirmé pour l'existence, air jordan 11 columbia prix aucune pensée n'a demandé! Allez-y, courez ce point à asics gel lyte 3 femme bleu clair travers ses cours, vous aurez rarement besoin d'un chaussure nike roshe run femme rose briquet différent. Le Nike Air Max Classic BW est essentiellement basket nike roshe run courir le premier Nike Air Max LTD hommes, renommé air jordan 1 retro high femme seulement. La tentation est difficile à résister, et vous pourriez tomber asics veste equipe de france full zip m amoureux d'une robe qui pourrait largement dépasser votre gamme de prix.

amany said...


شركة تنظيف سجاد الشارقة شركة تنظيف سجاد الشارقة
شركة تنظيف كنب الشارقة شركة تنظيف كنب الشارقة
شركة تنظيف كنب الفجيرة شركة تنظيف كنب الفجيرة
شركة تنظيف سجاد الفجيرة شركة تنظيف سجاد الفجيرة
شركة تنظيف سجاد ام القوين شركة تنظيف سجاد ام القوين
شركة تنظيف كنب ام القوين شركة تنظيف كنب ام القوين
شركة تنظيف سجاد راس الخيمة شركة تنظيف سجاد راس الخيمة
شركة تنظيف كنب راس الخيمة شركة تنظيف كنب راس الخيمة




Bilal Shah said...

Thanks for sharing this informational content depthworld