Learn About Business Naming

Choosing the right business name is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an entrepreneur. Your business name is often the first impression customers have of your brand.

Key Considerations:

• Memorable: Easy to remember and recall
• Pronounceable: Can be easily said and spelled
• Relevant: Reflects your business or values
• Unique: Stands out from competitors
• Available: Domain and social handles are free
• Scalable: Won't limit future growth

Common Naming Strategies:

• Descriptive: Clearly states what you do (e.g., PayPal, Facebook)
• Invented: Made-up words that are brandable (e.g., Google, Kodak)
• Compound: Combines two words (e.g., Snapchat, Instagram)
• Acronym: Initials of longer names (e.g., IBM, NASA)
• Modified: Altered spelling of real words (e.g., Fiverr, Tumblr)

Before finalizing your business name, it's crucial to ensure it doesn't infringe on existing trademarks.

Steps to Check Trademarks:

1. Search the USPTO TESS database
2. Check your state's business name registry
3. Search online for similar business names
4. Check domain availability and social media handles
5. Consider hiring a trademark attorney for comprehensive search

When to File a Trademark:

Filing a trademark application is recommended if you plan to build a significant brand. Trademarks provide legal protection and prevent others from using similar names in your industry.

Your domain name is your online address and a critical part of your digital presence.

Domain Best Practices:

• .com is king: Still the most recognized and trusted extension
• Keep it short: Shorter domains are easier to remember and type
• Avoid hyphens: They're easy to forget and look unprofessional
• No numbers: Can be confusing (is it "5" or "five"?)
• Brand match: Domain should match your business name exactly

Alternative TLDs:

If your .com is taken, consider these alternatives:

• .io: Popular for tech startups and SaaS companies
• .app: Perfect for mobile and web applications
• .co: Short and professional alternative to .com
• .ai: Great for AI and machine learning companies
• .tech: Clear signal for technology businesses