Ever since I joined Active Rain, some 3+ years ago, I wondered how they came up with their name. I thought it was somewhat catchy and after asking heard the story. When I began to ask other real estate professionals if they were on Active Rain, the majoity looked at me with a puzzled look. The following questions were usually "What's that?", "Is that a real estate site?" or "I'm not sure what you are talking about."

What's in Your Business Name?

Active Rain's new name change, long over due in my opinion, is an excellent move. Here are a few reasons why it makes sense:

  • Name Recognition: as AR stated in their announcement they want consumers to relate the site to real estate- something they get with the new name "Houseble"
  • Search: the name change should provide the search engines with an easier indexing process. Houseble v Active Rain
  • Titles: like any blogger who understands that the title of their article must have their keywords within it, the same can be said for the name of a business. House-ble fits better than Active Rain
  • Perception: like it or not the perception that Houseble exudes is location, location, location. Active Rain reminded me of Purple Rain, Prince, or the name of a grunge band
  • Copycat: I don't know how many times I have seen MLMers, marketers, SEO consultants, lead gen companies, and other assorted consultants refer to themselves as "rainmakers." Usually that self appointed descriptor was enough to make me run for the hills or at least scrutinize (due diligence) the people making claim. With the new change, the former AR no longer falls into the copycat category
 
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5 Comments on What's in Your Business Name: Active Rain's Change

APR
01
2011
447,681 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Eeeek, this is the first time I noticed the change.  It will be a long time before I stop referring to this platform as AR.
11:05am • #1

I don't like it at all....could have picked something better than houseble....is that even a word? LOL
11:10am • #2
181,895 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

april fool's!
11:11am • #3
100,282 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I don't like it either, it looks and sounds very odd and awkward.  I remember when I first heard the name Google and even though it sounded odd it was still kind of fun and whimsical, I can't say that about houseble.  The graphics are not effective either, its hard to make out the blue "e" at the end. 
11:23am • #4
APR
03
2011
142,519 Points 7 Featured Posts

Well like it or not, and it will take some getting used to, in my opinion they needed to do this long ago. I agree that the name really is not a great one but it's better than Active Rain in associating this site with the real estate industry. Thanks everyone for commenting!

dean
2:28pm • #5


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Dean Guadagni

San Rafael, CA

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Inner Architect

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Dean Guadagni is the Business Director for Inner Architect a social media marketing agency. We help businesses, corporations, and entrepreneurs understand how to utilize Web 2.0 and social media tools to deliver their value message. We perform diagnostics, create social media marketing plans, implement strategies, measure analytic information, as well as provide retainer based ongoing maintenance. We utilize direct marketing targeted strategies to measure our clients' message effectiveness and their ongoing engagement with their audience of consumers. This blog is an extension of http://Innerarchitect.com and my business self help real estate blog http://deansguide.wordpress.com. I write about business self help, networking, marketing, and branding. Interspersed within this core content are the techniques and tips on how to use social media like Linkedin and Twitter as well as your blog as the hub of your efforts to gain exposure and recognition with your target audience(s).


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