Selecting a Business Name | DBAFilingOnline.com
April 19, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
From Business.gov
Whether it’s a clever moniker, a personal tribute, or simply picked out of hat, your business’ name will frame its identity. The significance of choosing a name can sometimes be a tricky undertaking. You may find it helpful to keep alternatives in mind during your selection process. If you’re having some trouble selecting a business name, here are some tips to consider.
Imagine how the potential name will:
* Look (on business cards, advertisements, with a logo)
* Sound (ease of pronunciation)
* Be remembered (connotations the name may incite)
* Distinguish you from competitors (avoid trademark infringements)
You may want to avoid:
* Embarrassing spellings, abbreviations, profanities, potentially offensive undertones
* Implied associations with organizations/people the business is not connected with
Once you’ve decided on the perfect business name, you’ll want to ensure that it’s secure and protected. Be aware laws may vary from state to state, so check with your state Secretary of State to comply with regional policies.
Availability of Proposed Names
Set aside some time to research your proposed names. Because a business can establish a trademark simply by operating under a given name, you must be diligent in checking both registered and unregistered trademarks. A quick scan on an Internet search engine can save you valuable time, energy, and money by ruling out existing businesses with similar names and/or services. The next step is to search various databases that pertain to your business structure.
Understanding Trademarks
Trademark law prevents businesses from operating under names that are likely to be mistaken for the name of an existing competitor. If you violate trademark law, you may be required to pay monetary reparations and change your business name. To avoid violating trademark law, do your research and select a name that is legally available.
Name Databases
To confirm name availability, have your county clerk’s office check the list of fictitious/assumed names – often unregistered trademarks – operating in your region, or state, if applicable. In the event that your proposed name is already in use, you should discard it from your list.
Multiple databases should be consulted to provide the most thorough search effort. The Thomas Register (available online) provides entrepreneurs with a free, unregistered trademark database. Federally registered trademarks can be found on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s database.
Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), or Limited Partnerships
For businesses organized in the manner of a corporation, LLC, or limited partnership, contact your state filing office for an additional name database search.
Considering Your Results
If you find a business operating under your proposed name, you may still be able to use it, provided your business and the existing business offer different goods/services or are located in different regions.
However, avoid naming your business after a prominent existing trademark or any trademarks that are indistinguishable to your proposed name that provide the same goods/services, as it may violate trademark law. Keep in mind that federally registered trademarks are protected across the United States.
Registrations
Once you’ve cleared your proposed business name, you must register it. There are also optional registrations available to business owners to ensure legal name protection.
Required Registrations
If your business name is not your own personal name, it’s referred to as an assumed, or fictitious, name. Registrations of this kind may also be known as a DBA, or “Doing, Business As.” Depending on where you live, this registration can be obtained from a state agency or a city or county clerk’s office. Visit the Business Name Registration (Doing Business As) page for more information.
For corporations, LLCs, or limited partnerships, often business names are registered when the articles of incorporation/organization or statements of limited partnerships are returned to your state filing office. If operating under a fictitious/assumed/DBA name, fictitious name statements may be required by the state and county where the business is located.
Optional Registrations
Registering for a trademark is not required, but it often provides valuable protection of your business name. Just as you could not infringe on a trade name in your selection process, you would be offered the same protection against potential competitors.
If your business will operate in more than one state, you may want to apply for a federal trademark.
See your state Secretary of State office (for state) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (for federal) trademark registration.
File your Official Business Name Online – LegalZoom
How to Become a Sole Proprietor | DBAFilingOnline.com
April 18, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Sole proprietorship is the simplest form of business entity. It means that you just hang your shingle and go out building your business with little practical effect on what you do. Cash checks, open a bank account, create signage and letterhead etc. Also, as long as you’re the only (”sole” – get it?) owner of the business, you can continue operating as a sole proprietor.
Advantages of Sole Proprietorships:
Quicker Tax Preparation:
As a sole proprietor, filing your taxes is generally easier than a corporation. Simply file an individual income tax return (IRS Form 1040) including your business losses and profits. Your individual and business income are considered the same and self-employed tax implications will apply.
Lower Start-up Costs:
Limited capital is a reality for many startups and small businesses. The costs of setting up and operating a corporation involves higher set-up fees and special forms. It’s also not uncommon for a lawyer to be involved in forming a corporation.
Ease of Money Handling:
Handling money for the business is easier than other legal business structures. No payroll set-up is required to pay yourself. To make it even easier, set up a separate bank account to keep your business funds separate and avoid co-mingling personal and business activities.
Become a Sole Proprietor today and file a DBA with LegalZoom
How to Register a Business Name | DBAFilingOnline.com
April 16, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
There is no perfect formula for picking a great business name. The best name depends on a number of factors and things to take into consideration. Some things to consider are: what kind of business you do, others can simply be your lineage (family name) or unique as your own tastes / style. There are, however, a few guidelines that will steer you in the right direction. A appropriate business name should: be distinctive, memorable, easily spelled and pronounced, suggest the products or services you offer, and most importantly distinguish you from your competitors.
Form your DBA and Register your Business in 3 easy steps – click here now!
Starting a Business | Get a Business Name
April 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
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When starting any new business, the owner needs to go to the county offices and file for a fictitious business name – or you can go to LegalZoom and file a DBA in less than 10 minutes! Get tips for choosing a business name with advice from a college business instructor in this free video on business planning.
File a DBA – Video Tutorial
April 14, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
We created a short 3 min Video showing people how to use DBAFilingOnline.com to file a DBA in 3 easy steps. Check out the video, and file your DBA or FBN online today!
If you are doing business under any name other than your given name, or your actual corporate name, you will need to file a Doing Business As (DBA) or Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement.
DBAs are also called: Fictitious Name Statements, Business Name Statements, Trade Names, Assumed Names and Assumed Business Certificates.
File a DBA and obtain a ederal Tax ID – EIN now – Click here to get started!
How to File a DBA | DBAFilingOnline.com
April 14, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filing a DBA, or Doing Business As, requires going to a local county court office and completing any necessary paperwork. Discover more about filing a DBA, that sometimes require the publication of a fictitious name statement in a local newspaper, with ideas from a lawyer in this free video.
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