A business name doesn’t just differentiate you from the competition.
It also sets the tone for your business and is central to creating a successful brand.
So, what do you do if you can’t come with a good business name? What if it’s already taken? How do you know it’s a good name for your business?
This post covers everything you need to know when choosing a business name.
What Is a Business Name?
As the phrase implies, a business name is a title or name that a person or entity uses to conduct business. Essentially, this is your businesses’ legal name. In the case of a sole proprietorship, your business name will be your full legal name.
It is possible to include additional words when naming a sole proprietorship. But, you will still need to use your legal name. For example, if you run a small software consultancy business, you may simply name it Jane Doe or Jane Doe Software. You’ll likely have to register a Doing Business As (DBA) if you’d prefer to operate your sole proprietorship under a different name.
General partnerships follow the same course. Typically, the business name will be a combination of all the partners’ last names. For example, your partnership may be named Doe, Smith & Brown. Again, the business may have to file a DBA to use a different name.
Finally, limited liability companies (LLC) and corporations d… Read More