Here is the honest truth.
The competition in the business landscape in the US is insane.
Here is the proof.
Over 451,000 new business registration applications were filed in the US in March 2023 alone.
To set your business apart from the hundreds of businesses that are coming up every month, you need to learn how to register a business name.
Registering your business name also ensures you are legally compliant.
But knowing how to register a business name and actually doing it yourself isn’t an easy process.
We’ve got your back.
In this simple guide, we’ll teach you how to register your business name the right way.
1. Come Up With Your Business Name
The first step for learning how to register a business name is to actually choose the name.
As you brainstorm business names, consider your customers and the identity you want to display to the public.
Ideally, your business name should be unique and easy to remember.
2. Check Business Name Availability
You must ensure the business name you choose isn’t already registered by someone else. Check its availability.
Here are the simple ways to check the availability of your business name:
- Perform a domain name search
- Carry out a federal trademark search
- Conduct an internet search
3. Choose Your Business Structure and Register It
Determining your business structure when learning how to register a business name is a great idea.
Why?
Because different business structures have specific requirements and different legal challenges.
There are 4 main business structures:
- Sole Proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Limited Liability Companies
- Corporations
Pro tip: Using a business formation service can simplify the business registration process for you. Read this Incfile vs ZenBusiness review post by GovDocFiling to know which one to choose.
4. File a Doing Business As (DBA)
If you plan to conduct your daily business operations under a name that’s not legally your business’s, filing a ‘Doing Business As’ or assumed name is a great idea.
Registering your business name this way enables you to brand your products, services, and entire business the way you want.
5. Apply for a Trademark
Finally, you may apply for a business name trademark. This will help to protect all your business identity elements like logos, slogans, symbols, colors, and more from being used by other businesses.
Filing a trademark is a straightforward process that you can accomplish without any help.
Ready to Register Your Business Name?
Learning how to register a business name doesn’t have to be challenging. Hopefully, these five simple steps will guide you to execute the whole process more easily.
For further guidance, you may check out this infographic by GovDocFiling.
About Author: Brett Shapiro is a co-owner of GovDocFiling. He had an entrepreneurial spirit since he was young. He started GovDocFiling, a simple resource center that takes care of the mundane, yet critical, formation documentation for any new business entity.