Naming your Business – Do’s and Don’ts
This topic usually breaks entrepreneurs into two categories: those who had a name picked out from the start, and those who have no idea. If you’re one of the creative ones with a name already chosen, there are a few things to check before going forward with it. Most importantly, has anyone registered a trademark to conduct similar business in the U.S.?
There are two ways to unofficially check: 1) search the Internet for the company name to see if anyone is using it, and 2) search the trademark database online: click here, click on “New User Form Search” and type in your idea for a name. If anyone has registered that name (not counting pending applications), you can see this information in the search results. Ultimately, you should consult a trademark attorney before committing to a name. They will be able to tell you if you can legitimately conduct business under that name.
Additionally, you should check the availability of a corresponding domain name for your website. Specifically, if you can get the .com suffix of your company name, you’re in great shape. You can check the availability of domain names at many websites such as register.com, godaddy.com, and networksolutions.com.
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Tony Kau is co-founder of Portland web design and Internet marketing company Vanivo. For service inquiries, you can contact him directly at tony -at- vanivo.com.
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