Choosing a Business name

Choosing a business name is one of the first and most important things you’ll need to do when starting your business as a Sole Trader.

You want it to be unique and memorable but also to convey what your business is all about.

There are different rules for naming a Partnership or Limited Company but this post is for you if you’re choosing a business name as a Sole Trader.

Naming your Sole Trader business

As a Sole Trader you’re allowed to trade under your own name, or you can choose another name for your business. And you don’t need to register your name.

But you must include your name and business name (if you have one) on official paperwork such as invoices and letters.

Choosing a business name

A Sole trader business name must NOT:

include ‘limited’, ‘Ltd’, ‘limited liability partnership’, ‘LLP’, ‘public limited company’ or ‘plc’, or;
be offensive
contain a ‘sensitive’ word or expression
suggest a connection with government or local authorities, unless you get permission.

For example, to use ‘Accredited’ in your business name, you need permission from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Check which words you need permission to use, and who from.

If you choose a name or logo that’s registered as a trade mark or is already being used, the owner could take legal action against you.

If you register a trade mark, it’s easier to stop other businesses using your name or logo.

Tips on Choosing a business name

Here are our top tips on choosing a business name as a Sole Trader:

Experiment
Keep it simple
Avoid hard-to-spell names
Don’t pick a name that could be limiting as your business grows
Get feedback on the name
Make sure the name sounds good when said aloud
Make sure you like saying the name (you’ll have to often)
Make sure it looks good – and that it’s going to convert well to a logo as this will be part of your business branding/identity

Things to consider when choosing your business name

Here are 4 other things to consider when choosing a business name

Keep it short and to the point

‍As a general rule, try to keep your business name to a maximum 2 syllables and 10 letters.

Simpler names are easier to remember and search for on Google.

Keep it easy

Between 10% and 50% of traffic for the average business website is generated by the name of your business being keyed in to Google. If your name is easily spelt, and not too similar to other results, you stand more of a chance of being found.

Potential customers/clients, as well as yourself, may also have to type out the email address based on the name you choose. It can be cumbersome, time consuming and a bit annoying if the name is overly long or difficult to spell.

Keep it visible

Do a quick search before you decide on a name to see what competition you’ll have in Google results.

If there are some big, established companies in there it might be time to rethink.

Keep it relevant

Your name should be connected in some way to what you and/or your business does.

This can make it easier for customers to choose your business when they’re searching for the goods or services you sell.

Contact us now if you need help with your new business

Or just email us if you want our:

New Business Start-up Checklist, or;
Business Plan Template, or;
Help with
- Bookkeeping
- Software
- Accounts
- Taxes

Achieving Success with your business

If you’re just starting your new business venture or struggling with the steps to the next level contact us now.

We can help you with this and much more

Get ready for success with Moore Financial Management

We can help you with all of your compliance obligations such as:

Self Assessment Tax
Making Tax Digital
Corporation Tax
Filing Accounts
VAT
Payroll and Pensions

But also the things you really need to increase the chances of your business being a success

Management Accounts
Cashflow Reporting & Forecasting
Budgets
Real Time up to the minute information

These are the things that add value and the information you need in order to make the correct business decisions

If you’re not confident with any of this or don’t have the time, getting a licensed accountant to do it for you can actually save you money. It can free up your valuable time which you can use to concentrate on your business. You can also benefit by knowing it has been done correctly and on time.

Mistakes can be costly.

As can missing deadlines.