How to Find Out if Your Company Name Is Taken

Starting a business is challenging work, but choosing a name doesn't have to be.

A lot of hard work, effort and planning goes into starting your own company. You need to decide what products and services you'd like to offer. You need to create your business plan, find a way to finance your business, create a marketing plan, set up a location and hire employees. However, one of the first things you need to do when starting a new company is choose a name and make sure that name isn't already taken.

Instructions

1. Start with a basic Internet search. Enter the names you're considering for your company into your Internet browser. If you find websites for businesses that already have the names you're considering, then you know they're taken.

2. Check to see if the domain name you want to use for your company website is already taken. The domain name you use will most likely closely resemble your business name. For example, if your company is called KG Promotions, then your domain name might be something like www.kgpromotions.com. You can search for available domain names at sites like Register.com or Whois.Net.

3. Visit the website for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at www.uspto.gov. Search the trademark database by clicking on "Search TM database." Enter each name you're considering for your company to find out if another company has already registered it.

4. Check with your state to make sure the names you're considering aren't taken. Some businesses only register with their state governments, rather than with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. You can check with your state's department of commerce or your city government office.

References

• The Wall Street Journal: Small Talk