Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, sole proprietor, or any business professional planning to start a business, learning how to register a business name is a great idea.
But why?
It helps your business stand out from the crowd.
Figure this—over 451,000 business applications are filed in the US monthly.
This means the competition in the business landscape is insane.
Registering your business name will set your business apart and prevent it from being registered by other aspiring entrepreneurs.
But the business name registration isn’t as easy as you might think.
Fortunately, our simple guide on registering a business name will walk you through each step.
Let’s get started.
1. Ensure The Name is Unique and Available
You can’t register a business name that’s already taken. Therefore, begin the process by ensuring the name is unique—it’s not reserved or registered by anyone else.
Here is how to ensure the name is unique and available:
- Conduct a simple internet search
- Check federal trademark records
- Conduct a domain name search
- Perform a business entity name search
2. Choose a Business Name Structure and Register Your Business
Now that you have found a unique business name, the next step is to choose a suitable structure for your business.
This is important because different business structures have different legal requirements, benefits, naming rules, etc.
Here are the four main business structures to choose from:
- Limited Liability Company
- Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship
- Corporation
Using a business formation service can help to simplify this process for you. Check out this Inc Authority review post by GovDocFiling to understand how this business formation service can help you.
3. File a DBA (Doing Business As)
Alternatively, you can file a ‘Doing Business As’ or an assumed name.
This is a fictitious name that’s not your legal business name. In other words, it’s a name that you can do business with instead of using your legal business name.
It’s a great idea if you want to establish your brand identity or plan to change your business name.
4. Register a Domain Name
Operating a business without a website in today’s digital world gives your competition the edge.
A website enables you to operate your business beyond geographical borders. It’s also one of the factors customers check before doing any business with you.
Many domain name registrars are out there to help you accomplish this process.
Conclusion
Registering your business is that simple.
Knowing how to register a business name can be beneficial in many ways. If you have been wondering how to accomplish the process, we hope our simple guide will help you.
For further guidance, you may check out this infographic by GovDocFiling.
