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"Smart hostel" - what do you think about this name of the hostel?

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Anton started this discussion 12 years 6 months ago

It came up to my head because we want to make comfortable hostel, where you can find everything you need to sleep well, cook easy and have fun. I know that every hostel wants that, but I think that it would be not bad if we put this idea to the name.
But some say that this name has no soul, that to name hostel like that is the same as to name it "Nice hostel" or "Comfortable hostel".
I know that "smart" is used by "Smartcityhostels" in Edinburg, 2 hostels in London and 1 in Kiev. I'm not in these cities, so I won't be a competetor.
So, what do think of the name "Smart hostel"?
Thank you!

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Josh Hostels

12 years

I don't think that it's a good idea for hostels to have the same name as other hostels, even if they are in different countries. I think that some travelers will get confused, and sometimes contact the wrong hostel. Your customers will try to find you in Google, end up on the wrong website, and email the wrong hostel without realizing it.

Also, not all the hostels can be #1 in Google for their own hostels' names. So when people search for your brand name (Smart Hostel), either you will not be #1 in Google, or you will end up pushing an older "Smart Hostel" out of the #1 spot, possibly causing negative relations between the hostels.

I would highly recommend coming up with a name that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. I think that it would be much better for the business in the long term.

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Anton

12 years

Thanks, Josh! Tomorrow we will have a brain-storm for new name.
But I see many hotels in different countries with rhe same and similar name, and rayjer successful.

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Josh Hostels

12 years

I don't think that having the same name means that you won't be successful -- I just don't think it's the best idea for a business. :)

If you search Google for "smart hostel", there are results in several countries. All of them will always be lower in Google than the one in London. But the booking sites are bidding on ads and promoting the one in Lisbon. I think some travelers aren't very tech savvy and will be confused.

I think you would end up being caught in this confusing search engine game. You would appear below all the others for your own hostel's name.

See the attached screenshot:

search for hostel's name
booking sites are promoting the Lisbon one by paying for advertisements
the ones in London will always be at the top of the natural Google results

There are more reasons why I think it could be detrimental...
If you have a unique name, you can avoid that confusion. :)

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thenomadicfamily

12 years

Hi Josh and Anton,
thought it is great to be on Google first page, it is also possible to pay for sponsor ad. in addition, if someone will look for a hostel in Mosco, i assume his search key words will be "Smart Hostel" they many not be aware of it. Most likely he will search by "Hostels in Moscow". if you do that, you will hit, after the sponsor ads, the sites of www.Hostels.com, www.HostelBookers.com, and www.HostelWorld.com. so i think the name of the hostel has to appeal to the community you want to have. for example, if this is a budget backpacker hostel or "feel like at home" hostel, the name might need to reflect that.... and after that, you can also use these 3 sites i mentioned above to advertize your hostel in addition to SEO work done regarding your new site....
as for SEO (Search Engine Optimization), it is a constant work but it worth it. i would recommend issuing a professional Youtube video presenting the unique things about your hostel. here is an example of a nice place in Cusco, Peru that runs a campaign to bring money.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C0LXF9hKrg

p.s. I as write this email and read it to my 10 years old daughter, she asks me to tell you that she thinks the name should be "The Nomadic Hostel"

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