Finding a business name includes reserving your place online.
Finding the perfect business name isn’t always easy. The name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and (most importantly) available. Think of your favorite retailers, and you don’t find overly long website names. There isn’t a “We Sew Stuffies and Sell Other Stuff Too” store. Instead, you have Toys R Us, Walmart, and KFC. Your new business name can be made up, as long as the spelling isn’t tricky. “QQQuickie CCCrafts” is unique, but not particularly easy to spell if you are trying to type out qqquickiecccrafts.com. Also watch out for unfortunate acronyms that spell out bad things. “Kreative Krafts by Katie” is unique and memorable, but the initials spell out KKK, which may not be your desired image for a craft business. Overall, remember that finding the perfect business name may take a bit of time and research. Your business name should reflect your brand and mission.
(Note: The above examples are fictional and not meant to represent any real business. At the time of this article’s initial publication, no domains exist with these names. However, with the changing landscape of the internet, it is possible that future websites may be created using these names.)
Here are 3 steps to help simplify your business name search:
1) Check domain names. Brainstorm names and plug them into a domain registrar to see if the domain name is taken. Ideally, you want a dot com domain. Your domain should match your biz name to make it easy for customers to remember. Keep brainstorming until you find an available domain name (or several domain names).
2) Check to see if the name is registered in your state. Take your new found list of available domain names and search your state’s website (Secretary of State’s business section) for registered business names. If the business name (or one similar to your potential name) is already taken, then cross it off of your list. A name registered with your state means that you can not use that name for your own business.
3) Check to see if the name is trademarked.
Search TESS (the USA’s trademark database) for the name. Trademarked names are blocked from being used in the USA if you share the same trademark category or if there would be confusion between the two brands. The TESS trademark database can be found at USPTO.gov.
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If you find a name that is good for all 3 (domain, state, and national searches), then register the domain name now. Millions of people across the globe can register dot com domain names, and it is easy to have someone else register the domain first. Don’t publicize a potential domain name before you purchase it, as you risk losing the name.
Domain name registration is less than $20 per year, so even if you change your mind, you won’t lose much money.