Choosing your business name is an important part of marketing your goods and services. It can be a friendly, inviting handshake beckoning new business or it can be confusing to potential customers and cause you to lose relationships before they have a chance to develop.
If you use a business name that is too much like the name or trademark of another business you can be sued, so you should take the proper steps to ensure your name is unique before registering it.
In the state of Washington, when researching your business name you should consider the following:
- Search existing company names through WA State Secretary of State Records
- Search Dept. of Revenue for company records of registered names
- Search Trademarks with US Patent Office
- Search Trade Names with Department of Licensing
- Search Registered Domain Names (www.whois.net)
The first four are requirements before registering your new business with the state. The last, though not required by law, may be the most important as it helps to establish your online presence.
Your business name is often the very first opportunity you get to make a good first impression, and in the age of the internet it may be the only opportunity you get.
Do your research, be creative, and choose your business name well.
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