STEP 2. Registering a business name in Texas
Choose the right name for your business
You might already have a business name floating around in your mind, or maybe you’re truly stumped when you get to this part of setting up a business. Finding the right business name shouldn’t be about pot luck, your business name will become an extension of your brand, what distinguishes you from your competitors and gives some indication of what you offer the market.
So, spend a bit of time coming up with the right business name – but also don’t get stuck here. There’s more to running a business than choosing a name.
And try to avoid these common naming mistakes:
1. Don’t overcomplicate your name
Funny names or double entendrés could be tempting at first, but over-complicating your name will make it either harder for your customers to remember you – or worse – consider your business as unprofessional.
First impressions count. Make sure you make the right one.
2. Avoid abbreviations
Sure, you’ve heard of the likes of IBM, SAP and PWC, but these are global companies with massive marketing campaigns to drive brand awareness. As a start-up you might not have the budget to create market awareness around what your acronym stands for.
3. Don’t plagiarise
Doogle, might sound like a great idea now – until it lands you in hot water with Google. Avoid borrowing, or modifying well-known company names, they will most probably find out and you could find yourself on the receiving end of legal letters.
4. Avoid naming the business after the founder
We get it, they’re your business ideas and you want your company to be named after you. But consider the future of your business before you do. If you are planning to grow your business to a point where you can sell it, prospective buyers may find it less attractive to buy a business that will continue to be associated with the founder.
While you come up with the perfect name for your business, it’s also important to check whether the name has already been taken or not. The last thing you want is to spend days coming up with the perfect name only to find that it’s already registered.
Check the business name availability
In Texas, businesses that are registered in the state are listed with the Texas secretary state’s office. The Texas secretary state’s office also handles the reserving of business names.
To search for the business names of LLCs, you can conduct a free search by calling the Texas secretary of state directly on (512) 463-5555 or emailing the office at corpinfo@sos.texas.gov.
You can also search for LLC and corporation business names on the Comptroller of Public Accounts Business Entity Database for free. However sole proprietorships and general partnerships names are not available on this database. These are registered with the County Clerk’s office in the county where the business is located.