Before you start your business, you need to name it. We’re here to help you. Check out these tips for naming your small business
Where Should You Form Your Business? Best LLC State for Your
Business Quiz
Your Ideal Business Structure
Your Industry
Every industry has its own language, best practices, and expectations. Take stock of how other companies in your industry are named. Do they lean toward simple or complex? Are they named after individuals? Knowing your competition and doing some market research lets you see opportunities to stand out.
Your Solution
What problem does your business solve? Writing this down on paper will better help you pinpoint it. Your business undoubtedly solves multiple problems. Ranking them in order of importance can help give you ideas of how to incorporate your solution into your business name. Plus, getting clear on your business’s solution is crucial for all your marketing and sales activities.
Target Audience
Whose problem does your business solve? You need to define a target audience. There’s a saying in marketing - if you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one. Knowing your audience can help inform your business name. Think about how you want your target audience to feel when they hear the name of your small business. Different audiences will have different interpretations and expectations.
Brand Personality
Give your business human characteristics. Every business has a brand. Do you want yours to be serious or funny? If it’s funny, is it silly, sarcastic, or whimsical? The more specific you can get, the better.
Pricing can also influence your brand personality. Is it premium, standard, or economy?
Legal Requirements
There are legal requirements for certain industries. For instance, unless you’re a bank, you’re not allowed to use the word “bank.” Many states specify prohibited words. When you register your LLC, we’ll check your state’s database to ensure your name is legal and unique.
Trademark Conflicts
You can’t use a business name if someone has already trademarked it. You can do a quick database search on your own. When you file your LLC with us, we perform a name search at the state level. Once in the clear, you’ll want to talk to a professional to ensure you’re not infringing on already registered trademarks.
Cultural Factors
Avoiding offensive or derogatory terms is essential. Searching the internet for your business name ideas can help inform you. Sometimes words we think are innocent mean something different in other languages or settings.
Enjoy the Journey
Naming your business is a journey. Let your mind get creative and don’t forget to have some fun. When you have two or three you think might work, sit with each one for a day to try it on. Once you’re ready, it’s time to start your business!
You’ve Named It. Let’s Start Your Business!
We file your company within 24 hours. You focus on running your business.
Is a Fictitious Name the Same as an LLC or Corporation?
They’re different. A fictitious name, or Doing Business As (DBA) allows a business to operate under a name different from its officially registered name. It does not create a new legal entity separate from the first. Both an LLC and a corporation form a legal entity separate from its owners.
Do You Need a DBA?
Wondering if a DBA is the right choice for your business? Our Should
You Choose a DBA Quiz provides insights on whether a Doing Business As
name fits your needs.
Your Ideal Business Structure
When starting a business, you’ll choose a structure: sole proprietorship, DBA, LLC, or corporation. If you choose a sole proprietorship and want to use a name other than your personal one, you’ll likely want to file a DBA. If you choose LLC or corporation, you inherently get to choose a business name. You don’t need to file a DBA in order to name your business.
If you’re already an LLC or corporation, you can also choose to file a DBA. Companies often do this to market a new product or service that may not reflect the original business intent.
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Andrew Pierce is CEO of LLC Attorney and oversees multiple organizations that serve the business formation market. Under Andrew's leadership, his corporate brands have helped individuals to start more than 70,000 new businesses.
Andrew co-founded LLCAttorney with his father, attorney Mark Pierce, to provide robust business formation and operational services. He travels the world engaging in business conferences. With a background in corporate structuring, Andrew combines his personal experience and professional expertise to help entrepreneurs succeed.
