Are you wondering how to register the name of your small business? The name of your
business is a dominant factor in the process of setting up your company, therefore it is
an important thing to do right.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about registering and protecting
a business game, from trademark tips to legal obligations.
When Do I Need To Register The Business Name?
You must register the name of your business when you set up as a limited company and in
order to set up a business bank account.
Do Sole Traders Have To Register Their Business Name?
If you are a sole trader, you don’t need to register your business name. But for limited
companies, it is a crucial step. Saying this, it’s important that sole traders register for self-
assessment with HMRC though, as this enables you to pay your annual tax bill.
The process of registering your business as a limited company is known as incorporation,
and a key part of this process is legally registering the name of your business.
When Deciding The Name Of Your Business…
It is important that the name of your business is memorable and creative. You want it to
capture the heart of your brand and what your brand does. Changing the name of your
company later on requires time and money, so ideally you want to get it right the first time.
It’s important to note that limited companies must include the word ‘Limited’ in the
business name unless you are a community interest partnership or charity.
Try not to use any offensive words in your business name, as this could potentially cause the
name to be rejected.
The Legal Bits: What Do I Have To Do?
Ensure The Name Is Unique – Companies House has an online tool called ‘Company Name Availability Checker’ which will tell you if another business is operating under your ideal title. By making sure that you don’t use a name that belongs to another company, you can save yourself from getting into legal issues. You can also search for a UK trademark because all trademarked names can be found in the Government database.
Register With Companies House – You can register your business online with Companies House, for the small cost of £12. At the same time, you will be registering for corporation tax. To do this, you must have chosen a registered office address and have a Standard Industrial Clarification (SIC) code. Once you have completed the necessary forms, your business will be legally registered and exist within the next 24 hours.
Receive The Incorporation Certificate – Once your limited company has been registered with Companies House, you will receive a certificate of incorporation. This is the final stage of registering your business name.
How Can I Protect The Name?
Although registering the name of your business with Companies House is a positive start,
this can’t ensure that another business won’t use it. Because of this, we recommend getting
your name trademarked. It costs £170 to do, but it can be well worth it to stop anyone else
from stealing it.
Once you have your name, it’s a wise choice to…
Purchase The Domain Name – even if your business doesn’t have a website yet, this will prevent anyone from using the domain name for their business.
Create Social Media Profiles Under The Business Name – like your domain name, creating profiles on social media platforms can help to establish your business name.
Make A Google Business Profile – this will show your company on Google Maps and will show important details such as your business hours, your location and contact details. This will also lead to more recognition.
Thank You For Reading!
Thank you so much for reading this article and we hope it has been informative. If you’re
about to register a company, we wish you the best of luck on your new business journey!