The first step in conducting a name search is creating the perfect name. To do a proper name search, you need at least three names to choose from, in case your first choice isn’t available. Once you have some solid business names, it’s time to get started. The next and simplest step to take when doing a name search is to Google it. Google has an extensive bank of reliable information on new and established businesses. Simply type the proposed business name into the search bar and browse through the results. Be sure to check for slight variations of possible ways the name could be spelled. I prefer Google, but Bing, Yahoo, or any of the other top five search engines will work just as well. If everything is clear and the name is not used, you can proceed to the next phase. If not, continue this process until you find a guardian.

Now let’s take that guardian and add a .com after it. The key is to own all rights to the name you have created. I’m not sure about you, but when I hear about a new company I’m interested in, I type the name of that company, followed by .com, into my address bar to see what I can find. Eighty percent of the time I find the company I’m looking for. Once your business starts to gain popularity, you’ll want potential customers to find you the same way. So remember “owning the name is owning the domain”. If the domain is available, the name probably is too, but don’t stop there.

The next phase is to search the local phone book and online directories. Some common online directories include YELP, Manta, DexKnows, and MerchantCircle to name a few. New companies are created every day, many of which are sole proprietorships. Phone books and online directories allow sole proprietors to list their own business names without any formal documentation. So don’t be discouraged if you see the name you want to use, just be aware of the existence of that company. There is a possibility that the company is out of business or has never formally established a legal presence.

Next, you’ll want to search the online database on the Secretary of State’s website. To perform a deep search, an account may be required. Don’t worry, setting up an account is still free for now. Visit your state’s website and look for a section called “Business Search” or something similar. After looking up the full company name, one tip I learned while looking up proposed business names is to look one word at a time. For example, let’s say you’re doing a name search on the name “Great Popcorn Carnival” after searching for “Great Popcorn Carnival”, then you would search for just the word Awesome and see all business names with Great listed inside. of them to find a similarity, then popcorn, and so on. Continue this process until you have searched for each name individually. This process can be time consuming, but it is well worth the effort. After completing this phase, you may wish to reserve your business name for state protection for 30-90 days.

The last step to take when doing a name search is to search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. Names in the USPTO are protected nationally. If you plan to conduct business only within your current state and do not plan to expand, you can stop your search at the Secretary of State’s office. Otherwise, this is a great step to do a deeper search. The USPTO uses the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). This program is very technical and there are no guides on how to use the system competently, but there are lawyers and others who are proficient in the process. If your budget doesn’t allow you to get professional help, do it yourself. It can be difficult but it is possible.

That’s all you need to know to conduct a business name search!