How to Name Your Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Business: The Complete Guide
One of the first and most exciting things a new business owner gets to do is choose a name for their pet sitting service. But most pet sitters and dog walkers will tell you that the process can quickly become overwhelming and frustrating. You need to get the name of your business right the first time. Think about it: Your website is probably going to be the name of your business. Your pet sitting business name will also be on your business cards, logo, and invoices. You can even use your business name on government forms. It can be a nightmare to change it. Your business name is important, but don't worry, we can help you choose the best name for your pet sitting or dog walking business.
Step 1: What does a name represent?
Think about what kind of business you want to run and what services you want to offer.
- Do you just want to walk dogs or take care of cats? If so, choose a name that tells people what you do.
- Will you offer high-end pet care services?
- Are you planning to be the biggest and best?
- Are you considering expanding to other markets?
- Do you want your customers to think, "What a fun company!" when they hear about your business?
- Maybe you have experience with veterinary and medical animal care?
- Would you like to have fun? We've read a lot of funny pet puns.
People will often meet your business for the first time through its name, so pick something that stands out and shows what kind of pet care you offer. It could be something straightforward and descriptive, or it could be something fun. This is your chance to show who you are, so don't be afraid to have fun with it.
Writing down 5–10 things you think are most important for your business is a good place to start. Before you come up with a name, think about the feelings you want your customers, potential customers, and team members to have when they hear it. Also, try to pick something that will look good on a business card, website, and logo.
Step 2: Keywords
Once you know what you want your name to say, it's time to get creative! I find that the best way to start is to think of ideas and write them down. What is the point of your business? Is it being professional? Is it the way the customer feels? Do you want your clients to know that their pets are not only safe with you, but are also having a great time? Write down as many keywords as you can and follow them to see where they lead you.
Remember the answers you gave to the questions in Step 1. "Brilliant Pet Sitting" is a better name than "Goofy Gang" if you want to care for pets in a high-end way. If you plan to walk dogs a lot, you could add "dog walker" to your name. If you live in a city, you could add "city" to your name. See what you can do with those keywords once you have them. If you want to keep your business small and local, you can even include the location where you will be offering your services. Using your location is a great way to boost your SEO when people search for "pet sitter in ___ city," but it could also limit you if you want to expand to more than one city in the future.
You should come up with as many ideas for first names as you can. Write down every name you can think of and every possible change that might work. Then you can narrow it down to about ten.
The U.S. Small Business Administration can help you if you are still having trouble coming up with ideas. They say to remember these three things:
- The name's appearance? Especially online, in a logo, or on social media.
- What does it make you think of? Does it show what you stand for and how you run your business? Does it fit with what your market wants? Companies that take care of pets should be fun, so your business name should reflect that. But if you only want to reach powerful lawyers, you might want to drop "WoofPoof" in favor of "Professional."
- Is your name unique? Remember that you will need to make a domain name, claim your social media profile, and maybe even incorporate your business. I'm willing to bet that propetcare.com isn't available if you name your business "Pro Pet Care."
If you still can't think of anything, you can use a tool like the Shopify Business Name Generator to help you get started.
Step 3: Name Ownership
Make sure you can own a name before picking it from your final list.
- Check to see if the name is already taken. You can use a great trademark search tool from the US Patent and Trademark Office. If you want to incorporate your business, you will also need to talk to the state where you live.
- You should also check that the domain name is available. Even though there are many options for domain name searches, this one stands out as exceptional. If your domain name is already taken, you can look for other names that are similar. Just remember that .com is always the best option if it's available.
- Look at your area's competitors as well. You don't want to repeat yourself and confuse possible customers. If there is already a company called Betty's Best Pet Sitter, you probably don't want to call yours Betty's Perfect Pet Sitter or Betty's Professional Dog Walker.
You should also make sure that the social media accounts for your business name are free. Here, you have a bit more freedom, but it's still important.
Step 4: Name Feedback
Go out and ask people what they think before you make your final choice. This should come from your current customers or people who might become your customers. If you can't do that, try to get feedback from someone who can give you an unbiased opinion. Your friends and family all love you, and sometimes that makes it hard for them to see things clearly. Get an honest opinion from someone you know who will tell you the truth. But remember that these are just their thoughts. You can still call yourself by your favorite name, even if your barista doesn't like it. After all, it's your name on your pet care business.
Step 5: Legal Name
Once you've chosen the perfect name, it's time to own it. There is a great section on how to Register Your Business Name on the SBA website. You should also get the domain name and as many social media accounts as you can. Even if you don't plan to use Twitter for your business, you should still get the name so that a competitor doesn't use Twitter as your business.
Step 6: Give Your Name Meaning
The fun things. Time to make a website, a logo, and promotional materials like flyers and business cards. Your logo will be on your website and other marketing materials, just like your name, so make sure it fits your business. If no one on your team knows how to make a logo, there are lots of great places online, like Fiverr and 99designs, where you can get graphic designs made for a low price.
Summary
When naming your pet sitting business, it's important to choose a name that is memorable and easy to pronounce. Here are some tips to consider:
- Use keywords related to your business, such as "paws," "furry," "pet," or "sitter."
- Incorporate your location or the area you serve into the name.
- Consider a name that's fun and playful, as it can help you stand out from the competition.
Here are a few examples:
- Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Sitting
- Furry Friends Pet Care
- The Pet Nanny
- Happy Tails Pet Sitting
- Pet Palace Pet Sitting
Ultimately, choose a name that resonates with you and your target audience. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from friends and family.