Gazebo Designs

Is it ever safe to change your business name at the same time you are relocating?

I have a hot tub business which will have been open for three years when we move. We have also pondered changing the business name. Our Current name is Sunset Spas and Leisure. We are thinking of changing to Maui Backyard because: 1) It's shorter and easy to remember 2) Our main product is spas, but we also sell gazebos, saunas, pool tables, and bbq islands. That's why we've had the "and Leisure". 3) It makes for a better web address than our current www.sunsetspasandleisure.com 4) We don't seem to have much brand equity so far. People know us mostly by our location, which unfortunelty we have to change. We already want to re-design our logo, Moving locations or changing our logo means we will have to put money into new signs, business materials, etc. If we are already pouring money into changing, should we change it all in one fail swoop? Or, would it be worth it to move first, then change the logo, the change again to the new name?

Public Comments

1. I dont think it would be bad if you did a healthy amount of advertising to educate the public. People will be confused otherwise... Radio works! :)
2. Move first...then change your name....don't do everything at once....let your people get comfortable...UNLESS....you do a major information mailing...may have to follow up with another...be careful....don't loose your business base trying to make it easier..
3. It is better to move using the new name. Then change your new logo, but while doing that, let your clients know that your were formerly tradeing under Sunset Spars and Leisure.
4. only one! costomers will not recognise the name and then they wont trust it as much, since they have no experience with this no-so-new-but-still-new-to-them-because-they-don't-recognise-the-name-or-place-company :)