Michigan Business Name Search

Are you looking to start a business in the Michigan area? Then you need to be sure that you can build the best business with a great name. The problem with names is that sometimes they can be taken. Therefore, you need to check for business name availability and the best way to do this is to do a Michigan Business Name Search. In this article, we detail why it is important, how to complete the process, and how to register a Michigan business name.

Why Start a Business in Michigan

There are numerous reasons why you would want to start a business in Michigan. Michigan, for one, is a state that has some of the best costs in the US, with costs 10% lower than the rest of the country. Therefore, you can start a business with less investment and you will also be able to survive on lower revenues than you would have to do in other states.

Another factor to consider is that Michigan has great access to a wide variety of talent. Allowing you to build a strong workforce to help you raise your business to the top. There are strong universities and educational institutions that you can use.

Michigan is also one of the best locations for access to the international community. International sales can be a great way for you to improve your business’ revenues and profit margins. And being at the center of the transport links, the costs of getting your business orders across the world are going to cost less.

Why is it Important to Check Business Name Availability

Checking business name availability is important when you are starting a business. There are numerous reasons for this. For example, one of the main reasons is that there are legal requirements to ensure that any name that you use is not in use by another business. Only by doing a Michigan Business Name Search can you ensure this is true.

If you don’t abide by this law, then the company that you are copying the name from means that you can be used by them. The costs for this can be high and could cause your business to fold. Then you might also have to pay compensation and legal costs.

Another problem that you have is that you don’t want your business to be confused with another. Even with a similar business name, audiences can be confused. If audiences are confused, they might go to the wrong business and this can be a disaster for you. Therefore, you need to ensure that your business name is unique.

Another advantage is that having a unique name allows you to distinguish yourself, setting your branding that can make and break the difference.

A good name can also be very important for how your business is seen by audiences. Some customers will only purchase from a business when they like the name. And suppliers will only sell to you if you have a good name. And some suppliers will impose harsher credit terms if they don’t like the name.

How to do a Michigan Business Name Search and Register a Michigan Business Name

Here are the steps that you need to do a Michigan Business Name Search and also how to register a Michigan business name.

Step 1 – Come up with Some Business Names

The first thing that you need to do is to come up with some business name ideas for your business. There are lots of ways that you can do this. You can contact your friends and family and ask them for ideas.

Or you could speak to previous clients about what they think. Another thing that you need to do is to use a company name generator. These are great free tools that allow you to come up with lots of name ideas.

Another thing to consider is not just having one business name idea. You should have a few of them to check your business name against the state registry. Too many times, business owners think of one name and stick with that until they find out that it has been taken and they have to start again.

Some business owners, for instance, Google and Amazon have had one idea and then found out it wasn’t suitable. So having 10-20 potential name ideas is one of the best options for you.

Step 2 - Michigan Business Name Search

Now you need to conduct a business name search. This is a fairly easy process. It doesn’t take that long to do. You just need to go to the Michigan business Secretary of State website. Then you can enter your business name and the results will be shown to you.

If no results are shown, then you are clear to use that name. However, you might also want to do a Google or social media account to check that the business isn’t registered there. Another thing that you might need to do is to check other sales channels like Etsy, and eBay and even do a domain check.

If you want details on how to contact the secretary of state, then here they are.

Step 3 – Reserve your Business Name

Now you need to reserve your business name. There will be a cost for this, but reserving your business name ensures that you can keep the name until you register a Michigan business name. You can register your business name as an LLC or another business entity.

The reservation will only last for a certain period. After this, you will either need to have registered your business name as an entity or need to reserve your name again.

Final Word: Michigan Business Name Search

Above are the instructions that you need when you need to do a Michigan business name search and check for business name availability. The process is very simple and it takes just a few hours to complete. The business name search is a free process and you can use a company name generator tool to help you build a list of excellent names.