Starting a business is thrilling, but let’s be real – it can be a little stressful as well. There’s just so much to think about, and one little mistake can cause problems down the line.
One of those things that you might not consider is doing an Illinois business search before you start a business. It might look like a small step, but trust me, it’s actually very important for the success of your business.
If you’re planning on opening a coffee shop, an online company, or any business in Illinois, doing this search ahead of time spares you headaches down the road. It helps to make sure that your business name, entity, and idea won’t conflict with others.
Wanna know more? Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- Doing an Illinois business search lets you make sure your business name is available and not already in use.
- This search ensures that you’re following state laws and avoiding legal or trademark issues.
- It preserves time, cash, and frustration by pinning down issues at the start.
Why Should You Do an Illinois Business Search?
When you’re starting a new business, the last thing you want is to have a surprise down the road. But if you don’t check to find out if your business name, idea, or structure has been claimed, you could run into some serious problems.
Here’s why you really need to do an Illinois business search before you start your business:
1. Protect Your Business Name
One of the first things you will do is choose a name for your business. But imagine choosing a great name, then discovering it’s already taken. This can waste your time, money, and energy. Worse, you could be compelled to rebrand or even face legal issues. A simple search will spare you all this.
2. Stay Legal
Every state has its own laws when it comes to business registration. By doing an Illinois business search, you’re making sure that your business is in compliance with state laws. This can save you time and legal problems when you try to get your business legally registered.
3. Avoid Trademark Issues
If your business name is too similar to someone else’s trademark, you could find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Ouch. Doing a simple search can save you from potential conflicts with trademarks.
4. Know Your Competition
Conducting this search also allows you to know about other businesses in the same field. Are there numerous businesses in your niche? Is there space for you, or is the market already full? It can inform smart business decisions before you go too far and invest too much time and money.
How to Conduct an Illinois Business Search
Many people are already aware of this platform, but they don’t know how to properly do a search. Let’s talk about how to do it. Don’t worry, it’s very simple!
Step 1: Visit the Illinois Secretary of State Website
The first step is to visit the website of the Illinois Secretary of State. They offer an online search tool named the “Corporation/LLC Search” where you can see whether your business name is available for use. It’s absolutely free and really simple!
Step 2: Search Using Your Business Name
When you are on the search page, type in the business name that you are thinking of using. You may also want to try a few variations just to be certain. For example, if you are starting a “Cozy Coffee Shop,” you can also look for “Cozy Cafe” or “Cozy Coffee” to see if any of those names are already in use.
Step 3: Review the Results
If you search, you’ll get a list of companies with your name or keyword. If the name you desire shows up, it’s unavailable. You have to choose a different name. If it doesn’t show up, then it’s available! You’ll also see some details about the company, like if it’s active or from way back when.
Step 4: Check for Trademarks
The search function on the Illinois website makes it simple for you to see whether local businesses are utilizing your name, yet it doesn’t look through national trademarks. It’s a good idea to also search trademarks on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) site to see whether your name is already trademarked. This way, you won’t have any problems in the future in case you choose to expand outside of Illinois.
FAQs
How to access the Illinois SOS Business Search online or via mobile app?
You access it by visiting www.ilsos.gov. For mobile, download the “Illinois Secretary of State” app from your app store.
What type of business information will I see through the Illinois Business Search?
It provides you with information like the business name, status (active/inactive), business type, registered agent, and filing history.
How can I search for a business name, file number, or registered agent in Illinois?
You can search these by entering the specific information into the search box on the search page.
Conclusion
Performing an Illinois business search is one of the quickest and simplest things that you can do to save yourself a lot of frustration. It helps you make sure that your business name is not already taken, keeps you from running into legal issues, and gives you an idea of the competition that exists.
Eliminating this before you get too far into the process will save you time, money, and frustration.
