When a digital specialist makes a decision to incorporate your business and initiates an LLC, your first step to take in a business formation process will be creating a name for your future company. No matter if you choose to file an LLC on your own or use one of LLC formation services, it’s impossible to incorporate a company without a name. While incorporated business forms are automatically named after their owners, LLCs can use different business names chosen at the stage of business incorporation, though you still have an opportunity to give your LLC your own name. How should you select a name for your future venture? Should you use your name for a business? Let’s figure it out.
Many digital specialists consider filing formalities the trickiest part of LLC incorporation but choosing the company name is a crucial step as well since if the Secretary of State doesn’t accept your suggested LLC name, it will reject your whole LLC company registration. At this point, naming your company doesn’t seem that simple anymore, right? So, even if you are going to start your business with the help of the best LLC service (here you can find information about top-rated LLC formation companies by llc.services), you need to invent a business name for your company first and check it with the state using the name search tool at the Secretary of State’s website or letting your hired attorney or LLC service do it for you.
LLC Naming Rules
Mostly, creating a name for your LLC company is about your imagination, and it could be nearly anything you want it to be. Yet, there are still certain rules to follow when tinkering with name versions for your upcoming business venture:
An identifier clearly denoting your business entity type is a must, i.e. wording “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviations LLC, L.L.C., or Ltd. are an obligatory part of your company name;
No words implying any other business form or causing ambiguity are allowed. These are such words as a corporation, bank, trust, insurance, and alike;
The company name should relate to your business purpose, with no reference to any other activities beyond permitted ones. In case you mention some academic or scientific degrees in your business name, added paperwork and permissions will be required.
The main common rule for an LLC company name is uniqueness. The moniker should be not only creative and catchy but also not similar to any other names already registered in the state of formation. Hence, searching the state business name database before filing an LLC is a necessity. Besides, it’s advisable that you google the desired business name to make sure it’s not used as a brand or trade name in other states.
LLC Naming Hints
While the state needs your LLC company name to be unique and distinguishable, you want it to be memorable and recognizable. So, before you make a final decision about the name for your business establishment, take a look at our quick tips on how to create the name that will really match your business:
Check the domain name availability: In the era of digital technology, it’s vital to be present online. And the domain name similar or very close to your business moniker will further enhance your company recognizability;
Try to create a name that will stand out: Catchy and creative names are easy to remember and become buzz words, not to mention such a name will make your LLC company stand out from the crowd;
Don’t overdo: You can go whimsical, sophisticated, and even elaborate but avoid too long names with heavy structures and complex words in them. Keep it short and easy to pronounce;
Steer clear from names of popular companies and well-known giants: Worldwide companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, McDonald’s, and alike strongly protect their intellectual property rights and might even sue you if your LLC company name has some resemblance with their brand names.
Giving Your LLC Formation Your Name: Pros and Cons
At the stage of business formation, you have a lot of hopes, aspirations, and plans about future perspectives for your LLC company. And, of course, you want the best moniker for your business project. Here, some entrepreneurs try to be creative and invent something special while others choose an easier route and simply give their companies their own names. Is it the way to go for you too? Selecting a name for your LLC formation, keep in mind the following pros and cons of naming the business after yourself.
Pros:
Simplicity: It’s an obvious plus since staying with your own name will save you a lot of time, effort, and doubts when juggling with multiple name options, leaving no chance for any confusion;
Personal Associations: An LLC company named after its owner is directly associated with this person. Immediately related to you and your business, the brand name becomes recognizable;
Authenticity: There is hardly anything more authentic than your own name, especially if you introduce some new product, service, or approach to the market.
Improved Customer Connections: You are your business, and by sharing your name with your LLC company, you let your potential clients know who they are going to work with from the start.
Cons:
Lack of Uniqueness: LLC business formation calls for unique and distinguishable business names, yet, your name might fail to meet that requirement. Besides, a common and widespread name won’t differentiate you from the competition;
Name Changes: Personal names might change, which is a normal thing. Yet, changing a company name is not that simple and, obviously, is not good for business since you’ll have to build your brand and reputation again;
Growth Limiting Factor: Making yourself the center of your business, you bound your business in a way since customers will rather interact and collaborate with you than your business entity. And this might become an aspect that will limit the future growth of your company when you’d rather prefer to be a supervisor and let your LLC company run on its own.
Besides, it’s worth noting that naming the business after its owners is not the best option for multi-member LLCs where each member will strive to see his or her name as a part of the company moniker, which might cause controversy and conflicts.
Other Steps of Forming an LLC: Incorporation Services to Help
Once you’ve made up your mind about the name for your future company, you can proceed with other steps to finalize your business incorporation and finally let your business embark on a big journey:
Find and designate a registered agent;
Draft and file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State;
Make a public notice in a local newspaper, if required;
Though it seems there is nothing special about these steps, you might knock over a number of traps and pitfalls on the way, not to mention formalities and legal routines. To let yourself focus on business and steer away from routine tasks, you can easily delegate your business set-up to LLC formation services. Top-rated companies not only provide highly professional service in online LLC formation but also come up with a whole bunch of helpful add-ons to put your business on the right track and diligently maintain it after incorporation.
Author’s Bio
Dmitriy Kondratiev, chief Editor of LLC.services, associate in Axon Partners.
