
TRUiC provides these tips and tools to register a business name
There are many businesses out there that have the most memorable brand names and have even been referenced as slogans on t-shirts, in songs and as general advertisement. Examples of these businesses are well known brands such as Nike, McDonalds, Apple and Coca Cola. Even though these companies are known for their products and clever marketing strategies, they are of course firstly known by the actual name which is what gives a general first impression to customers.
According to TRUiC, the key to registering a business name successfully is to make sure that it is unique and memorable. This is a short guide to help you understand how to register a business as well as useful tips to keep in mind.
Is the name available?
It can be quite tricky to come up with a name that’s not loosely inspired by an existing brand or business, but it is important to follow this guideline in order to avoid any problems such as being denied when registering your business name. The best way to find a name that is available and eye-catching is by using the tool The Business Entity Name Search, which can be found on your local State of Secretary’s website.
It is necessary to come up with a business name for specific types of business structures such as an LLC and corporations. This also applies for when you want to create a DBA for your existing legal entity.
Businesses can also take a note from TRUiC that advises you to obtain a domain name when registering your business name, so that you are fully set and it can contribute towards giving a good first impression to customers. Another tip that business owners should pay attention to, is that it’s a good idea to search up the business name on search engines to see what existing results come up.
Once you have come up with your business name, the best thing to do is search it up on the U.S Trademark Electronic Search System so that you can see if it’s available to trademark or not. This gives you the opportunity to jump start your business so that you can trademark it and avoid it from being taken by someone else.
Have you decided on what kind of business you’ll be running?
TRUiC has advised that it’s important for business owners to know and determine what kind of structure they need for their legal entity. This is all part of the process for when registering a name, because there are different steps to take for each kind of structure.
You have to build an organisational structure that helps you set out your targets, budget and even figure out whether it’ll be just you running the business or a group of members.
Examples of business structures are:
- LLC
- C Corporations
- Sole Proprietorships
- General Partnerships
There are different guides online that have step by step instructions on how to register for each type of business structure, however the most common steps that are part of the process for LLC and corporation types are: to choose a registered agent, get an EIN and filing the right documents.
It’s time to register
Even though it’s not necessary in all states to reserve a name, it is actually beneficial to do so as a step because it can help give you time to open up your business, knowing that the name belongs to you. The procedure to complete a name reservation can vary depending on the state that you’re in.
If you do choose to reserve your name and you have followed the steps above, you have a high chance of successfully registering a business name. It is possible to legally change your business name, which can be done by filing your state’s Certificate of Amendment or a document similar to that and a filing fee is needed to be provided for your business.
However, if you already have an existing business structure but you just wish to file a DBA, you do not need to register for a new type of business structure because a DBA is only to be registered under an existing legal entity.