What Comes
First...
Business
License or Business-Names-Ideas?
Start with business-names-ideas because you have
to name your business prior to filing for a business license. This can
be exciting so have fun with it!
If you are using a fictitious business-name then
you must also file a "DBA" with your state. Before deciding on
business-names-ideas, you need to do some homework to make sure you
aren't using someone else's registered or unregistered trademark name
or something similar.
You can start with a search of your favorite
Internet search engines such as Google or Yahoo. Some states may even
have a Fictitious Name database so check with your county clerk's
office to see if your desired name is already taken. Another helpful
and free resource for finding unregistered trademarks is the Thomas
Register Website at thomasnet.com.
Don't get wrapped around the axle here with
business-names-ideas. If your name is Hank, you can call you company
"Hank's Handyman Service." Keep in mind that though it might make it
harder to sell to anyone not named Hank. Using your name may give your
company the appearance of a small local service which isn't a bad
thing. It doesn't mean that you won't look professional. If you have a
reliable vehicle with a magnetic sign or a van with your logo painted
on the side you can still be a professional.
If you're goal is to grow your business as large
as possible then don't compromise on your business-name-ideas. Here are
some points to consider when choosing a name for a service company:
1.Use a first initial that's early in the
alphabet. Eventually your company's name will appear in an alphabetical
list. Better to come in at the top of this list than at the bottom.
Imagine that you've decided to attend a local home trade show with 250
exhibitors. Do you want to be in the first 30 or the last 30 of that
list?
2.Make sure you choose a name that has an Internet
domain that is available. Even if you're not ready to start a web page,
you can reserve your domain name for about $10 a year. If you plan to
have a web presence, consider doing what I've done with this web site.
I decided to have my site Powered by Site Build It because
of all the tools they have that help you pick a name that not only goes
will with your company but has "keywords" that will help it grow on the
Internet as well.
If you're not there yet you can go to
www.Godaddy.com
or www.Register.com to reserve your domain name now. You can even
register three or four names that will give you some flexibility when
you're ready to start your online presence.
3.Avoid the use of numbers. People won't remember
to use numerals (123) or to spell out the number (one two three).
4.Sound different but logical. This may be next to
impossible since the only way to get the point across about what you do
is to use the word "Handyman" in your name. However, you can change the
first part to set yourself apart from the other companies out there. If
your dead set about not using Handyman in your name, think about what
you do. Your company does home repair, home maintenance, completer of
the honey-do-list, etc.
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