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When you register a business name, you receive legal protection and recognition for your business. If you are an entrepreneur, you should know how important it is to register a business name. This allows you to lay claim to your business and even prevent other companies in your state or country from using the same name. Once you have chosen a title, it is time to take action and open an online store or your upcoming tech startup. To learn more about how to register a business name, take a look at our step-by-step guide below.
Step 1: Research Your Name
When you have settled upon a name, it is important to conduct research before attempting to register your business. First, come up with some new business name ideas. You can get creative or use a business name generator for suggestions. Then, find out if that business name is available in your area. If someone has already registered it, you may have to come up with something else. You may also want to consider looking at the United States Patent and Trademark Office database to see if it has been trademarked by any other businesses or individuals. If the name is already under someone’s ownership you will not be able to use it. Once you have found an available business name, you can move on to step 2.
Step 2: Determine Your Structure
If you are in the process of starting your business, you may already have an idea of its operational structure. However, it is important to know exactly how your company will operate before attempting to register a business name. Determine if your business will be starting an LLC, partnership, corporation or sole proprietorship. This may effect how you register the name. After you have the business structure in mind, you can complete step 3.
Registering A Business Name of Corporations
When you register a business name for a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company (LLC) entity, the registration process is done with the articles of incorporation. In many states, the formation of the corporation will register the business name in the same process. Thus, as long as you are planning to do business as the official name of the corporation, the name would be registered. The formation of a corporation should be carefully handled by a professional to ensure the name of the business and corporate structure is property established. With the right guidance, you can register a business name and establish a corporation at the same time.
Step 3: File A “Doing Business As”
Depending on what business structure and name you choose, it is likely that you will have to file a DBA. DBA stands for “Doing Business As.” This is a way for entrepreneurs and owners to legally register a business name. The self employed process may be different depending upon your state. Once you have completed this step, there will be a public record declaring you and any partners involved in the business as the owners. This allows you to operate under a fictitious business name.
Step 4: Get Proper Licensing
After registering your business under a DBA, you can now begin to get proper licensing. Businesses are required to feature their company name on most documents related to its operation. For example, a restaurant or bar title would be filed with their liquor license. Before you can acquire any of these documents, you must have your business name recognized.
Step 5: Trademark Your Name
Finally, the next thing that you can do to register your business name is acquire a trademark. This step is optional and may require a little extra money. Essentially, the trademark will allow you to lay further claim to your business title. If you plan to expand a manufacturing or dropshipping business nationally or globally, this may be a good idea.
Registering a business name is one of the first steps an entrepreneur will take to starting their own company. If you want this to be a successful endeavor it is important that you follow these steps above. As long as you choose an available name and file your DBA, you will have full ownership of your business title. Be sure to refer back to this post as you complete the process so that you can ensure you are providing the right protections to your business.
