When you register your business as an LLC or corporation, you must choose a legal name. This is the name that will appear on your state business entity paperwork and all official documents.
The name must meet your state’s naming requirements, including not implying that your company is a bank or insurance company. You should also check the availability of your chosen name in your state’s business name database.
Identifying Your Company
It’s important to keep in mind that an LLC can only have one “legal” name at a time, which is the name you use when filing to incorporate or form your LLC. However, an LLC can have many “assumed” names or DBAs to help with marketing and branding.
Your company’s legal name must be unique. It can’t be the same as another business entity already on file with your state, or the same as a trademarked phrase. Also, you can’t include words that imply your company is a government agency or type of institution, such as a bank, insurance or trust company.
If you have a favorite name for your LLC, but aren’t ready to submit incorporation or formation paperwork yet, consider filing a name reservation. This will hold the name for a limited time and ensure it’s not taken by another entity. You can then decide whether to register the name with your state or keep it as a DBA.
Creating a Website
When you decide to use your LLC name as a marketing tool, it is important that you pick a memorable and distinctive one. It should also be unique so that you can make it stand out from your competition and draw the attention of potential customers. In addition, it should be legally available for your business, which can be determined by checking the state database and ensuring that you can find an appropriate domain name.
Choose a name that is relevant to your products and services and allows you room for growth, so that you don’t pigeonhole yourself into a specific technology or service that could become obsolete or out of fashion in the future. In addition, you may want to consider trademarking your business name or registering a DBA (doing business as) to avoid confusion with other businesses with similar names.
Creating a Logo
Your logo is one of the most important marketing tools for your business. It promotes your brand, builds customer trust and loyalty, and makes your company more memorable. It should be clear, simple, and distinctive, and it should exclude LLC in order to achieve these goals.
You should also understand what your brand is about. Learn about your market and customers, what your company stands for, and its mission and vision. This will give you insight into your target audience and will help you to create a logo that reflects your brand.
Once you have chosen your business name, you must file paperwork with your state. Once you have completed this process, you can begin using your business name in your advertising and marketing materials. However, you do not need to include LLC in your logo or other marketing materials. In fact, putting LLC in your logo can harm your marketing and promotion in six ways.
Creating a Business Card
When you hand out your business card, it’s important that someone can identify what type of company you run, who you are and what your role is within the company. Your business cards should also include contact information, including a phone number, email address and physical location. It’s also a good idea to include the website URL for your company so people can find out more about what you do. You may even want to consider adding your logo on the business card.
