| If you know what you need and how to do it. This | | | | business. |
| section will show you the steps you will need to take | | | | |
| to set up your online business to be legitimate so | | | | Domain Name |
| that you can make legitimate money quickly and | | | | Just as you carefully picked the right business name, |
| easily. Review the following overview, then keep | | | | you also need to use the utmost care in choosing |
| reading for indepth information. | | | | the right domain name. As part of your research |
| - Business Name | | | | when choosing your business name, also do searches |
| - Domain Name | | | | for available domain names. Again, many times your |
| - Know Your State and Local Legal Regulations | | | | ideal domain name will already be taken. Be creative, |
| | | | think outside of the box! Shorter is always better for |
| Business Name | | | | domain names. Try variations and abbreviations of |
| Keep in mind that you are not the first to start a | | | | your business name. If that doesn't work, try a name |
| business and the ideal name you would like for your | | | | that involves the product or service you are selling. |
| business may not be available. When naming your | | | | Many times, when your chosen domain name is not |
| business, keep in mind that there are some names | | | | available, the domain hosting company will |
| that are trademarked. It is always best to do a quick | | | | automatically provide you with 10-20 variable domain |
| search so that you don't run into trouble later. When | | | | names that are available. This is a great way to |
| naming your business, try to keep it simple. Pick a | | | | brainstorm ideas and you can usually find a good |
| name that accurately portrays what you do. You can | | | | match. |
| pick something clever, but be sure that customers | | | | There are many different domain registration |
| will not feel misguided when they come to you. Also, | | | | companies that want your business. You need to |
| stick to a short name of 1 to 3 words and make | | | | decide first if you need a combination domain |
| sure that the business name that you pick also | | | | registration and website hosting package, or if you |
| conveys the correct tone for your business. For | | | | want to use one company to register your domain |
| example, don't pick ABC Enterprises if you are selling | | | | name and another company to host your website. |
| auto parts, or Baskets and Bows if you are a | | | | has been in business for many years and is very |
| wedding planner. Again, the best way to start is to | | | | reliable. They offer several packages for online |
| brainstorm. Come up with at least 3-5 possibilities and | | | | businesses so that you can choose exactly what |
| do a trademark search on each of them. | | | | services you need. Also good at a lower cost is |
| Now, after you have done a trademark search and | | | | WebsiteSource. They also offer several packages. I |
| picked a suitable name, test it. Use a popular search | | | | would not recommend this site for beginners, |
| engine, such as Google, and type in your business | | | | however, although they do have templates. You |
| name. The search should provide thousands of | | | | should have at least some knowledge of website |
| websites that appear under your business name. | | | | design and optimization if you choose this company. |
| Look at the domain names that are under the main | | | | Once you have your domain name ready, proceed |
| links. Are any of them using your business name as | | | | with the next steps FIRST before registering. |
| their domain name? Visit some of the links and see if | | | | |
| any of them are using the same exact business | | | | |
| name. You will find many businesses that have not | | | | |
| trademarked their name since it can be a lengthy and | | | | Know Your State and Local Legal Regulations |
| complicated process. If you do find the business | | | | Most state and local governments have their own |
| name you picked is already being used, you | | | | set up rules as to what you need to legally do |
| shouldchooseanother one. Go through your list and | | | | business within their jurisdictions. If you are truly small |
| weed out what you can use and what you cannot. | | | | and just getting started, you might be able to hold |
| You may have to start from scratch and come up | | | | off on this step for a short time. However, make |
| with a completely new list of possibilities. To be | | | | sure you know what the law says in regards to |
| successful in business, you must be persistent. Don't | | | | zoning, taxes, etc before you start so that you are |
| let this step stop you. Work through your lists quickly | | | | not surprised. Make it an integral part of your plan to |
| and just make sure you find a name that you can be | | | | become a legal business in your city and state as |
| happy with and that accurately describes your | | | | soon as possible. Many times it can be as simple as |
| business in the right tone. Remember that you will be | | | | obtaining a business license, a resale tax license, and |
| branding your business name as you market your | | | | paying for a permit to work out of your home. |