Choosing a Name for Your Small Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Elizabeth Fox-Wise

There are Three Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Name for Your Small Business

While there is a lot of room for personal and professional creativity when choosing a name for your small business, there are three things that a small business owner should keep in mind.

Will Your Small Business Name Receive Trademark Protection?

Trademark law will prevent another business from using your small business name or logo or one that is so similar to yours it would be confused with yours, if your small business name is protected under trademark law. If your business is anything other than a small, local service business, such as dry cleaners or hair stylists, you will probably want to take advantage of the protection this law provides.

Any business name used to market and identify goods and services is a trademark. However, to qualify for trademark protection under the trademark laws, your small business name should be "distinctive."

Distinctive Business names, such as McDonalds, Xerox and Dell Computers are considered memorable and they usually receive protection under both federal and local trademark laws. Common or ordinary names such as Smith's Hardware, typically do not receive this trademark law protection.

While there is no magic formula for creating a distinctive business name - they are usually catchy or fanciful words that have nothing to do with the product or service being marketed. Such as Kodak. However, the disadvantage to creating a brand new word or using a completely arbitrary term, is that business names that have nothing to do with the product or service often require extensive and expensive marketing efforts to get known and established.

Is the Small Business Name That You Want Available?

Once you come up with a distinctive name for your small business, you will have to make sure that the name is available and is not already trademarked by another business.

For example don't try to use a portion of a big company, s name and think that you will get away with it because your business is not competition to theirs. For example M&M; Marketing. Their attorneys will contact your in no time.

For not so famous names, you will have to do a name search to see if the name is already in use and how they are being used. If another small business is using the same or a similar name to market different products or services, it might be fine for you to use it as well. If you are not sure, consult an attorney.

If Your Small Business Wants a Web Site - is There a Domain Name Available for That Name?

If your small business is going to have a website you will need to determine what your domain name will be. Using all, or at least part, of your company name in your URL will make it easier for your potential customers to find you. Since so many domain names are already in use. Be sure to make sure there is one available before committing to a business name.