You can be as creative as you want with an LLC name (within state rules and trademark restrictions). The right name will support your business mission, grab attention, and tell people what you do.
A memorable LLC brand name will help you stand out from a crowded marketplace and improve your chances of winning customers’ attention. A good LLC name is also generally short and easy to recall.
1. It’s Unique
The best LLC names are ones that help set your business apart from the competition. They should also be unique enough to give your company a distinct brand and evoke an image of the products and services you offer. If possible, try to incorporate some of your values into your company name to make it more memorable.
For example, if your company has a strong environmental commitment, you can include that in the name to increase your company’s credibility. In addition, if you have a particularly catchy word that sounds good when spoken aloud, it may be easier for customers to remember and can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. However, be careful not to use words that are already trademarked and avoid conjunctions like “and,” “or” or hyphens.
2. It’s Catchy
A catchy name makes for a more memorable brand. It can help potential clients remember your company, as well as increase the chances of them using your services in the future. It also tells them that you’re serious about your business, as you went to the effort of registering with the state and including LLC at the end of your name.
Whether you’re looking for an exciting, eye-catching name or simply trying to set yourself apart from the competition, consider the benefits of a strong LLC name as you plan your new venture. Just make sure it complies with your state’s rules, as you can’t include words that falsely suggest your company is a corporation, bank, or insurance agency if you’re not. It’s important to check with the patent and trademark office to ensure no other companies have registered your business name.
3. It’s Easy to Remember
When starting a business, your LLC name is one of the most important decisions to make. It’s what will identify your company and be used for all things legal, like obtaining an EIN, opening a bank account, and signing contracts.
You have a lot of flexibility when naming your business, within the guidelines set by your state agency handling your application to form an LLC. Most states require the name to include “limited liability company” and not be trademarked by another business, but you can also use a DBA (“doing business as”) name if you want to operate under something different. However, this can come with risks if you want to expand or sell your company in the future. It’s best to be as specific as possible to increase brandability and build your reputation.
4. It’s Short
While it’s important to choose a unique business name that communicates your brand message, you also need to keep it short so that it’s easy to read and remember. Additionally, a shorter name can help you avoid potential legal complications down the road.
Many states have specific naming regulations that you must follow. For example, you must include an indication that the company is an LLC, and it cannot contain words that suggest it is a governmental entity or another type of entity that it isn’t. Additionally, you can’t use words like “bank,” “insurance,” or “police” in your name unless you are a government-related corporation.
You may also want to avoid the use of conjunctions, apostrophes, punctuation marks, or special characters in your LLC business name. These symbols can cause confusion and hinder your ability to market the business.
5. It’s Easy to Market
Having an LLC name that tells your audience what you do and makes them remember it is important for brand recognition. The right name can help your business to gain traction early on and dominate your market for years to come.
A strong LLC name will be easy to market across your social media platforms and website. It will also give you clear paths for creating domain names and reserving email addresses.
It’s important to make sure that your LLC name doesn’t include any restricted words (depending on your state). You can find a list of prohibited or restricted words on your state’s business website. You may also want to check the U.S. Trademark Office to see if the name you’re considering is available.
