How To Register A Business Name: A Quick Guide For Beginners
by Abdul Aziz Mondal Business Published on: 23 February 2023 Last Updated on: 08 November 2023
Learning how to register a business name is a great idea.
But why?
Once you have found a good business name, you need to register it to protect your business and also to prevent anyone else from claiming it.
And above all, it’s an essential business formation requirement.
In this post, we have outlined a step-by-step guide on how to register a business name the right way.
Let’s get started.
1. Ensure The Business Name Is Unique
The first step when learning to register company name is to ensure it’s not registered by anyone else.
Why?
Your business name registration will be rejected if the name is already registered by another business.
Here are ways to ensure your business name is available for registration:
- Perform a business name search
- Perform a domain name search
- Perform a federal trademark search
2. Form A Legal Entity
Once you’ve selected a business name, you need to choose a legal business entity for it.
In this case, you need to choose one from the following:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Corporation
- Limited Liability Company
You can read our comprehensive Inc Authority Review and find out how you can file any of the business entities mentioned above.
3. File For An Assumed Name Or “Doing Business As”
If you plan to do business under a name that’s not legally your business name, you can file for a “Doing Business As” or assumed name.
Ensure you check with your business registration offices or the Secretary of State’s office to learn how to file for an assumed name or DBA.
4. Apply For A Trademark
You also need to apply for a trademark or service mark to claim ownership of your business name and brand.
Trademarking your business will prevent anyone else from using any similar branding materials in any way.
This means that no business can use your name, logo, or any other marketing collateral associated with your business name.
Once you trademark your business name, you can go ahead and register a domain name to create a website and promote your business online.
Want to learn more about registering a business name? Go through this infographic by GovDocFiling.