1 of the first steps to take when starting an Indiana business is to perform an Indiana Business Search.

The Indiana Secretarial assistant of the Land's website keeps record of Indiana business organization entities that exist or take dissolved.

The database is complimentary to use and makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to find existing businesses and check if a business organization proper noun may exist available.

How to search Indiana business organization names

Searching for Indiana businesses is done through the InBiz website .

Indiana Corporations and LLCs are searchable by the post-obit criteria:

  • Business Proper name
  • Business ID
  • Filing Number
  • Registered Agent Name
  • Incorporator Name

There is as well an Advanced Search option which includes the following filter options:

  • Blazon
  • Status
  • Name Type
  • Address
  • City

Indiana entity name

The "Proper noun" search query is the about usually used when performing a business entity search . Enter in the business name and select "search," and the database will generate whatsoever names related to the name entered.

In that location is no need to enter phrases similar "LLC, Corp, or other naming designations as the database will generate results for every type of entity.

Search past business ID

Enter the business ID name and select "Search."

Search by filing number

Each Indiana corporation has an associated filing number . To search by filing number , enter the number and select "Search."

Indiana corporation search proper noun condition

If a business struggles to think of a practiced business name, 1 way to generate ideas is to look through the search results list to see if whatever expired names could fit the business.

For example, enter the word "Pizza" into the search field to generate a list of expired and active names to come across if any expired names could fit.

If an expired proper noun is of involvement, information technology is recommended to confirm that the name is available by calling the Indiana Secretary of State'due south role in Indianapolis.

Trademark search

One thing to remember is that even though the desired Indiana business organisation name may be available, it could take a registered trademark.

Performing a trademark search through the Trademark Electronic Search System before selecting a business organisation name could prevent headaches in the time to come.

Next steps

1. Check if the domain proper noun is available

  • Many of the .com domain names with six or fewer letters are taken, and then getting artistic may be necessary. Websites like Namechk and GoDaddy can help filter available domain names and suggest alternatives that may be a good fit.
  • While a .com is the most familiar domain extension used, extensions like .co, .cyberspace, and .io are condign more than ordinarily used as the cyberspace ages and tin can exist a adept fit one time a company name is selected.

ii. Check if the social media proper noun is available

In the digital age, it is essential to have a solid social media presence. Customers volition often check sites like Yelp and Google Reviews to gauge what others remember about a business organisation. Another tips on social media for an Indiana business organisation entity :

  • Having a potent social media presence for pocket-size businesses is an first-class way to heave organic presence on the web, impress customers, and build awareness.
  • Unfortunately, like domain names , social media handles are often hoarded. Brand sure to bank check sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest to ensure the handle is not registered.
  • If the handle is bachelor, lock the username in place to reserve it.
  • Software platforms like SocialPilot tin help simplify managing various social media platforms.

3. Annals Indiana business entity

Afterward selecting a concern name , businesses can register their incorporation with the Indiana Corporation Commission.

Some other option is to file with companies similarNorthwest Registered Agent, Incfile, or ZenBusiness , which can take intendance of the filings for as little as $0 plus state filing fees.

For further pace-by-step instructions on how to file your LLC check out this Indiana LLC Guide.

iv. Register Revenue enhancement ID/EIN with the IRS .

An EIN. is a nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes. Retrieve of it as a social security number for businesses. Filing your EIN. for a limited liability company (LLC.) is straightforward and can be done online. Indiana corporations tin can register for a Tax ID for $79 with Swyft Filings .

v. Create a logo

Similar to selecting a adept business concern proper name , businesses with a great logo print customers, assistance distinguish themselves from the competition, and create a positive visual memory of your unique concern services for customers.

With the emergence of freelance marketplaces, it is like shooting fish in a barrel to go a logo done on Fiverr in 24 hours or less.

6. Write a business concern program

Writing a business plan can assist organize business organization owners' ideas and create a pathway for businesses to follow. Having a professionally written business plan also impresses investors and helps create accountability.

Liveplan.com is a concern plan software that can help make the process easy every bit they have over 500 sample plans to choose from.

Businesses that form partnerships should consider having a professional operating agreement .

vii.Open a Business Banking company Account

Having a business bank account is required for businesses equally it helps go on business and personal finances separate. It also helps build business brownie when business concern loans are needed to grow the concern in the future.

Businesses must have a business concern mailing address to open a business organization bank account and cannot use a PO box as their chief mailing accost.

Lili and Novo are online banks that specialize in working with freelancers and entrepreneurs.

Nosotros recommend Novo Depository financial institution

Built for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.

8. Setup an email account

Google Workspace tin can help set up an @yourcompany email accost for as niggling every bit $6 per month.

Programme on running your business concern well

Google Workspace helps with e-mail addresses, team collaboration, productivity, and more.

9. Register a trademark

One of the easiest ways to file a trademark is through LegalZoom . They have options to file past themselves or pay an boosted fee to have an attorney take intendance of the filings.

Indiana business structure naming considerations

When selecting an Indiana business name , it is important to understand the unlike naming requirements for each entity blazon.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships

In Indiana, sole proprietorships do non have to file with the corporation partitioning to brainstorm business organization operations. Sole Proprietorships typically operate nether a person's proper noun, then at that place is no need to perform a business name search in about situations.

Like Sole Proprietorships , Partnerships are relatively easy to file and generally include all partners' last names (ex: Smith, Jones, and Lasalle).

LLCs

LLCs are separate legal entities that carve up owners' business organisation interests, debts, and liabilities from personal responsibilities. Names for LLCs are required to be filed with the Alabama Secretarial assistant of State and must be unique.

A few reminders when naming LLCs:

  • Indiana business names must include the words "LLC, LLC, or the phrase limited liability visitor . "LLC" is virtually unremarkably used afterwards a business name , so we recommend using that abbreviation when filing Indiana articles of arrangement.
  •  An LLC proper name should not include the terms Inc., Corporation, Corp, or Incorporated in the LLC proper name .
  • The Country may non approve a Indiana concern name if it is not conspicuously distinguishable from the other business organization.

Corporations

Corporations, like LLCs, are separate legal entities that crave filing with the corporation commission.  Corporations are adequately complex and typically used by large companies looking to upshot stock and attract investors.

Corporation naming considerations:

  • Corporations must include "corp", "corporation", "Inc", "limited", or "company" in the business name to indicate that it is a corporation.
  • Due south Corporations are subject to the same naming requirements as traditional corporations.
  • Professional Corporations must indicate that they are using "professional corporation" by using the letters "PC" instead of typical corporate designation.

FAQs

How do you reserve a concern proper name in Indiana?

Businesses tin can reserve a name for upwardly to 120 days through the Secretarial assistant of State. There is a $20 filing fee and that must be included with the Indiana proper name reservation form.

Is there an annual report requirement in Indiana?

Indiana nonprofits must file almanac reports every yr and every two years by for profit organizations. Annual report forms are constitute on the InBiz website .

Is a registered agent required to register a startup in the State of Indiana?

A registered agent is someone that is designated to receive official papers for your LLC, LLP, or corporation. Individuals tin can deed equally their registered amanuensis as long every bit a physical address (p.o. box is not immune) is formed in the same State.

One of the main benefits of using a third-political party registered agent service company is that it adds a layer of privacy between the business concern and the general population. The registered amanuensis company receives all documents on a business's behalf and can postal service them to you lot privately.

Northwest Registered Amanuensis offers gratis post forwarding and has a great reputation in the manufacture.

Where tin I notice information on Indiana business concern licenses ?

Business license data can be establish on the In.gov website.

Why should I file a trademark? How practice I file?

A trademark gives entrepreneurs legal protections over their brand. Equally your Indiana business grows, competitors tend to pop up to effort and compete against you lot in the market place.

A trademark sends a message to competitors that may be looking into your niche that you mean business.

Trademarks likewise abound in value equally your business concern grows and increases make recognition. If yous are ever hoping to sell your business down the line, having a solid trademark can add to your valuation.

Suppose your business has a physical product that you are looking to sell on sites like Amazon. In that case, in that location are unique features businesses can access with a registered trademark, which helps prevent infringement on your products.

  • Because the database is very circuitous to navigate, some people adopt to pay companies like LegalZoom to do the work for them.
  • Check out the LegalZoom Trademark options to see if it makes sense for your limited liability company once y'all have zeroed in on an entity proper noun .

Should I file a DBA ?

A DBA (doing business as), or trade name, is a fictitious concern proper name that companies operate under for business organization outside of the formal LLC name . DBA names are filed with the Indiana Secretary of State or can exist filed with companies like Incfile.com .

Hither are a couple of benefits of DBAs :

  1. Expansion possibilities : having a DBA enables businesses to expand past their original concern and without starting a new business entity . Simply creating a new DBA and operating under the existing LLC is all that would exist needed.
  2. Privacy : I of the all-time benefits of having a DBA is that it gives businesses the ability to operate under a fictitious business proper name and not accept owners' personal names revealed publicly.