Twelve checks, in the order that saves the most money. The first four cost nothing and eliminate most candidates; the last four are the ones people skip and regret.
The name itself
- Say it out loud to someone, once. Ask them to spell it back. If they cannot, every phone call and radio mention leaks customers.
- Type it on a phone. Awkward letter combinations and double letters cost you direct traffic.
- Read it as one word, lower case. That is how it will appear in a domain and a handle — check for unfortunate readings.
- Check it does not lock you in. A product, a city or a year in the name becomes a problem the day you expand.
Availability
- Domain. Check the exact
.comfirst; our generator checks it live as it suggests names. - Social handles. Take them the same day as the domain, even for platforms you do not use yet.
- Marketplaces. Search Etsy, Amazon and eBay if you sell products — an active seller with your name is a practical conflict.
- App stores if an app is anywhere in your future.
The legal layer people skip
- National trademark register in the classes you sell in, not just a general search.
- Company register in your country — a similar registered company name can block registration even without a trademark.
- Local competitors. For a local service business, a similar name two towns away causes real confusion.
- Write down what you checked and when. If a dispute ever comes, the date of your search matters.
Ready to generate candidates? Start with the business name generator, or read why an available domain is not a free name.