How to Protect Your Business Name in the UK

(That sounds dramatic, but it's close to true.)

Most founders believe that a Companies House registration gives them security over their name and brand, but it gives you almost nothing in the way of legal protection. However, most founders don't find that out until someone else is already using their name and customers start turning up confused about who they're actually dealing with...or worse, leaving reviews for the wrong business entirely.

Let's make sure you're protected so you're not paying to undo the damage before it's too late!

What Companies House Registration Actually Gives You

Short answer: it stops another limited company being incorporated under your exact name. That's it.

What it doesn't do is:

❌ Stop a sole trader trading under the same name

❌ Stop another limited company using a very similar name

❌ Give you any legal rights over your logo, your brand identity, or your reputation

My own business is registered at Companies House but that alone wouldn't stop someone else trading under the same name. If I wanted real protection, I'd need to go further. So I did.

Trademarks For Business Name Protection

If you want legal protection over your name, logo or brand, you need a trademark.

I went to a seminar run by the Intellectual Property Office last year; it was clear, practical, completely free, but here's what stuck with me:

1. Trademarks are registered by class. You're not trademarking a name against the whole world, you pick the classes relevant to your business. (Business consultancy, for example, sits in Class 35.)

2. There's an objection window. Roughly three months after you apply, anyone with a similar name can challenge it. No challenge, no problem...you'll be approved.

3. It lasts 10 years, then you renew.

4. You can DIY it. The IPO has guidance and support, and fees depend on how many classes you apply for. However if you'd rather not go it alone, a trademark attorney can help

Shareholder Agreements For Business Partners

If you run a limited company with someone else (even a straight 50/50 split) the law's default position on "what happens next" is vague.

Who does what? What happens if one of you wants out? What if one of you dies unexpectedly? 🤷🏻‍♀️💭

Without a shareholder agreement, none of that is decided and you'll be finding that out the hard way when that thing has gone wrong.

A shareholder agreement isn't about distrust, it's just good housekeeping. Think of it like a prenup for your business partnership: nobody plans to need it, but everyone's glad it exists if things change!

This is one for a solicitor, not an accountant, as you want someone qualified in company law drafting it. If you don't have one, I always have a name or two I trust enough to hand you over to.

Social Media Handles And Google Business Profiles

Claiming your social media handles cost nothing, but prevents anyone else from using your name instead! So after you've finished reading this, go and grab your business name as a handle on every platform, even the ones you do not currently use. (Because you may change your mind in the future.)

While you're there be sure to check or set up your Google Business Profile. 📍 Pay close attention to your map pin because if it's wrong, not only are you leaving a bad first impression, but potentially losing customers by sending them to the wrong address!

User Access For Business Systems

The last thing I want to mention (because I always bang on about it) is who has access to your systems.

Xero, QuickBooks, Shopify, WordPress, whatever you use...the rule is simple. You hold the master login. Everyone else, such as; your accountant, bookkeeper, marketing person, warehouse team gets added on with the access level they actually need.

That way you're always in control, can ass access when it's needed and remove it when it's not. You'll never be locked out of your own business or have to hold those awkward conversation with the person who holds the only login. 🖥️🔐

I practise what I preach, and have split the domains for my different businesses into separate GoDaddy profiles rather than one shared login. It took a bit of time, cost nothing, and now access to one business doesn't quietly hand over access to everything else. Call it cautious if you like, but I'd rather be cautious than sorry!

Useful Links

A few places I'd point you to if you want to take any of this further:

👉🏻 IPO trade mark search tool - start here before you apply. Two minutes to check nobody's already sitting on your name, and it'll save you a headache later.

👉🏻 IPO trademark seminar / guidance - free, clear, and worth an afternoon if you're serious about protecting your brand properly.

👉🏻 Google Business Profile — log in and check your listing, especially the map pin. Takes five minutes and it's wrong more often than you'd think.

👉🏻 GoDaddy (or whichever registrar you use) - if you run more than one business, look into separate profiles per domain rather than one shared login. Small bit of admin, decent peace of mind.

If you'd rather talk any of this through than Google your way to it, get in touch. Sometimes it's easier to just say it out loud than work out how to word it for a search bar! Book a Call with Alexis