Business Name Checker Definition

By definition, a business name checker is a tool that allows entrepreneurs to search businesses registered in their state to see if the name they want to use is taken. States require the business owner to register a limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or corporation with the Secretary of State or a similar state office.

Other Names for a Business Name Checker

States use different variations of the same concept. Other possible names are:

• Business name availability check
• Entity name checker
• Business name check tool

Whatever the name, these state tools and name checkers offered by private companies provide the same service. In some states, business owners can call and check over the phone. 

What are some considerations for a business name checker?

Before ordering a sign for the storefront, business owners would be wise to check a few other places to help ensure that the business name is a go. 

DBA Names

Some companies register one name with the state but then opt to “do business as” (DBA) another name. While a few states offer DBA name registration at the state level, most require the company to register in the county or city where the business is located. So even if no other company registered with the name, it’s wise to check with the appropriate local office to make sure no one is doing business using the company’s proposed name.

Trademarks

A business can trademark a name other than its official business name. Trademarks can be federally registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or obtained at the state level. It’s wise to check both to be thorough. 

Domain Names

A company that registers as Debbie’s Doughnuts, Inc. might choose “DebbieDonuts.com” as its domain name. This is the name of its website. If the business is Debbie’s Donuts, it might confuse customers when they type that into a search bar and get Debbie’s Doughnuts, Inc., instead. Worse, they might not notice, and then the business loses a customer. It’s possible to avoid these problems by carefully considering and researching domain names. 

Social Media

Many social media platforms allow businesses to sign up using any name they want. For this reason, it’s advisable to do a quick internet search to see if anyone else is using the company name online. 

Business Name Checker Benefits

Researching a business name ahead of time to make sure it’s available can save an entrepreneur both time and money. And one of the biggest advantages of a business name checker is that it’s online and easy to use.

Business Name Checker Disadvantages

There really are no downsides to running a name check before starting a business — unless an entrepreneur uses a private company that doesn’t keep its records updated. It can be wiser to rely on a trusted source like ZenBusiness to guide the search.

Summary: Business Name Checker Definition

Using a business name checker before registering a business with the state helps ensure that the name is available. Doing this and a few other searches before taking other steps saves entrepreneurs the cost and hassle of changing their signage, letterhead, and so forth if the name is taken.