How do I name my small business?
10 Tips for Naming Your Startup or Small Business
- Think about what you want your business name to convey.
- Brainstorm to identify name possibilities.
- Keep the name short, simple, and easy to write and remember.
- Avoid names that are too narrow or too literal.
- Avoid decisions by a committee but do “test” your company name with others.
- Avoid plain words.
How can I name my business?
7 Tips for Naming Your Business
- The name needs to sound good when it’s said aloud.
- Use a name that has meaning to it and conveys a benefit.
- Avoid Web 2.0-ish syndrome.
- Beware initials.
- Use specifics.
- Make sure you can trademark the name.
- Test it out on Google AdWords.
- Related: Five Tools for Naming a Startup.
Should I name my business after myself?
What do you think? Don’t Name a company after yourself, unless… According to Alexandra Watkins, founder of Eat My Words, a company that creates brand names for clients, you should not name your business after yourself. They just aren’t memorable, imaginative names.
What makes a great business name?
Developing a great brand name—one that is distinctive, memorable, easy to pronounce and emotionally appealing—is a critical element in creating a successful new brand. We all know that great brand names can differentiate companies, products or services in crowded markets.
What is the best company name?
How 16 Great Companies Picked Their Unique Names
- Google. The name started as a joke about the amount of information the search engine could search, or a googol of information.
- Hotmail.
- Volkswagen.
- 4. Yahoo.
- Asus.
- Cisco.
- Canon.
- Coca-Cola.
How do I name my startup?
16 Tips for Naming Your Startup
- Keep it short. The name of your business should roll off the tongue.
- Make sure it’s easy to spell. Put yourself into the minds of consumers.
- Don’t restrict growth.
- Check the domain name.
- Be original.
- Say it out loud.
- Ask for feedback.
- Research social media profiles.
Can I add CO to my business name?
Can I use CO in my business name? Yes, if it represents the company well. When choosing a business name it should be well thought out, easy to say, and easy to spell.
Can my LLC be my name?
Limited liability companies can use personal names in a variety of ways: first names, last names, initials plus a last name, or a personal name that’s only part of the business name, such as “Joe’s Bar and Grill.” You can also form an LLC under a different name and use your personal name as your DBA or “doing business …
Should you include LLC in logo?
So, do you need to incorporate “LLC” in your logo? In short, the answer is no. In fact, none of your branding/marketing needs to include “LLC,” “Inc.” or “Ltd.” If it is included, this may look amateur. Logos are an extension of a company’s trade name, so marketing departments don’t need to include legal designation.
Can my LLC name be different from my business name?
For most people, the answer is no, unless you want to operate your business under a different name than the LLC. But if you are operating as an LLC or corporation, then the company is treated as a separate legal entity that is different from the person or people who own it.
Can I live in a house owned by my LLC?
No you can’t. A single member LLC is just you as far as the IRS is concerned. You’re just living in your own property. You can’t rent your own house to yourself.
Can 2 businesses have the same name?
Because business names are registered on a state-by-state basis, the fact that a company in another state has the same name as yours is usually not a cause for concern. However, you are right in that there could be intellectual property issues (namely, trademark) when two companies have the same name.
Should I get a trademark or LLC first?
In many cases, a business will want to start the trademark application as soon as their LLC or corporation paperwork is filed. By filing for a trademark prior to launch, you can be sure that your name is protected once you begin commercial sales. However, there may be an even stronger reason to apply early.
Can an LLC own a trademark?
There are many different types of legal entities that can own a trademark. The most common that we see, and also the simplest, are LLCs and corporations. Usually, a LLC or corporation develops a mark to identify itself as a source of goods or services.
Is it better to trademark a name or logo?
Since trademarks are used to identify a company or brand, it makes the most sense to file for trademark protection on the brand name, logo or image. So, if you are investing in a brand image, you should seek a trademark registration to protect it. But, your image may also qualify for copyright protection as well.
Should I copyright or trademark my business name?
Copyrights primarily protect the rights of people who create literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works (like history tests, and software code). Trademarks protect the use of a company’s name and its product names, brand identity (like logos) and slogans.
How much does it cost to copyright a name?
The cost to trademark a name at the federal level ranges from $225 to $400 plus legal fees or $50 to $150 for a state trademark. The average cost to trademark a logo is $225 to $600 plus any legal fees….Trademark Cost.
National Average Cost | $424 |
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Minimum Cost | $225 |
Maximum Cost | $2,000 |
Average Range | $275 to $660 |
What happens if someone trademark your business name?
The answer is that a registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your business name nationwide in connection with the goods and services you’ve identified in your registration, and allows you to enforce your trademark by filing a lawsuit in federal court.
Can I trademark my own name?
Trademark law protects names, logos and other “marks” that are used in commerce. To register your name as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you must use it in business. But if—like most people—you only use your name for personal purposes, you can’t register it as a trademark.
How do I copyright a name for free?
Can I trademark a name for free? You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a “common law trademark” for free, simply by opening for business.
How do I copyright a name?
Registering a trademark for a company name is pretty straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, www.uspto.gov.
How much does it cost to trademark business name?
The basic cost to trademark a business name ranges from $225 to $600 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest and least expensive way to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).
Do I need a lawyer to trademark a name?
No. You do not need an attorney to file an application for registration of a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
What are the 3 types of trademarks?
There are four categories of trademarks: (1) fanciful or arbitrary, (2) suggestive, (3) descriptive, and (4) generic.
How long does it take to trademark a name?
As soon as you start using your mark in commerce, you establish what is known as “Common Law Trademark Rights.” But in total, it will take 13 – 18 months for an official trademark registration with the USPTO.
How do I stop someone from stealing my business name?
How to Protect Your Brand and What to Do If Someone Steals it
- Protect your unique brand name / logo. If you have a unique brand name or logo, protect it.
- Make a paper trail.
- Watch for trademark violations.
- Keep your domain.
- Trademark your new name BEFORE releasing it.
- Register your new domain.
- Announce the change.
How long does trademark last?
How long does a trademark registration last? A trademark registration may remain in force for potentially unlimited consecutive ten-year periods as long as the owner meets the legal requirements for post-registration maintenance and renewal and timely files all necessary documents.
How do you copyright a logo?
Fill out the application online on the official site of United States Copyright Office. Besides, you can also submit the application in a paper form. Pay a registration fee (for the logo it’s $39) with a card, electronic check or your deposit account with the U.S. Copyright Office.