Four tools you should be using to check your business name is safe
Are you about to launch a new business? Are you considering rebranding your current business? If so, it’s important to do a name search first to make sure your chosen business name is available and not already taken. There are a number of different tools you can use to conduct a name search, and in this blog post we’ll introduce four of the most popular ones. So without further ado, let’s get started!
When you’re ready to start your business, you’ll need to make sure your business name is available. In most countries, this means it can be registered and trademarked. To do a business name availability check, you can search:
– The USPTO’s trademark database
– Your state’s business name registry
– Social media platforms
If your business name is available, you can then move on to registering it with your state and/or the USPTO. However, even if your business name is available, you may want to do a quick Google search to see what comes up. This way, you can avoid any potential problems down the road.
Trademark search
Searching a trademark database is a critical step in the business name registration process. By doing a search, you can avoid any potential conflicts with existing trademarks and by consulting with an experienced trademark attorney, you can make sure that you’re not infringing on any existing trademarks.
When you’re ready to register your business name, the first step is to search a trademark database. There are a few different ways to search for trademarks. The USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) is a good place to start. You can also search the European Union’s trademark database, or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s database.
Once you’ve done a search, it’s important to consult with an experienced trademark attorney to discuss your options and make sure that you’re not infringing on any existing trademarks.
When you’re doing a search, it’s important to be as specific as possible. Start by searching for the exact phrase you want to use. If that comes up empty, try different variations of the phrase. You can also search for similar phrases, or for words that have the same meaning.
It’s also a good idea to search for misspellings of your business name. This will help you catch any potential infringements that might occur if someone misspells your business name when they’re trying to find it online.
Remember, even if you don’t find an exact match for your business name, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. It’s still important to consult with an experienced trademark attorney before moving forward. They can help you determine whether or not there’s a potential conflict.
Your state’s business name registry
To search the business name registry, go to the website of your country’s business registration authority. In the United States, this is the Small Business Administration.
On the business registration authority website, there will be a search function that you can use to search for business names. Simply enter the business name you’re interested in and hit search.
If the business name is already taken, you’ll see a message saying so. If it’s available, you’ll be able to register it.
business name registry can be a helpful tool in choosing and registering your business name. By doing a simple search, you can find out if the name you want is available and get your business started on the right foot.
Searching the Big G
If the business name is registered with Google, you’ll see results for that business come up in the search results – particularly Google My Business. You can then click on the business name to go to their website or learn more about them.
If the business name isn’t indexed on Google, you may still be able to find information about a potential business name by searching for other terms related to the business. For example, if you’re looking for a business that sells clothes, you could try searching for “clothing store” or “clothes” + the business name.
If there’s another business with your name in another state without trademark rights, or if the business sells products or services similar to yours, you may want to consider changing your business name.
Checking Socials
You can also check business name availability on social media platforms. This is important because you want to make sure you can snag a professional, memorable username for your business page.
Once you’ve settled on a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available on all of the major social media platforms.
Here’s how to check if a business name is available on social media:
1. Go to the social media platform’s website. For example, if you’re checking for a name on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com.
2. Enter the business name you want to check in the search bar.
3. If the name is available, you’ll see it come up in the results. If the name is already taken, you’ll see a message saying that no results were found.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each social media platform you want to check.
5. Once you’ve checked all of the social media platforms you’re interested in, you can decide whether to choose a different business name or continue with the one you’ve chosen.
Social media platforms to check: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TicTok and YouTube.
There are a few social media platforms that you should definitely check before settling on a business name. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are three of the most popular social media platforms, so it’s a good idea to check if your chosen name is available on all three of them. If the name is already taken on one of these platforms, you might want to consider choosing a different name for your business or getting creative. If you’ve got the perfect name but the Social handles aren’t available why not try a different combination eg The”BusinessName” or “BusinessName”Official oe even “BusinessName”HQ will work.
LinkedIn is a social media platform specifically for businesses and professionals, so it’s a good idea to check if your chosen name is available on LinkedIn as well.
Pinterest, TicTok, and YouTube are also social media platforms that you might want to consider checking for your business name. These platforms can be a great way to reach out to potential customers and promote your business.
Although it is not a foolproof method, using these four tools can help you get a good idea of whether or not your business name is safe to use. If you are still unsure after checking all four of these sites, it may be worth hiring a trademark attorney to conduct a more thorough search for you. At the very least, using these resources will put you ahead of the game and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with your chosen business name.