Your business name is more than just a word: it's your first business card, your public identity, and often your very first marketing tool. In Switzerland, choosing this name should not be taken lightly: it must comply with legal regulations, be available online, and be consistent with your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guide explains to you, step by step, how to choose a relevant, strategic and legally secure name<\/strong> to launch your business with peace of mind in Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you even start the official process, be aware of the impact your company name will have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good name is both clear, distinctive, available and memorable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, your business will exist above all else online<\/strong>. Checking the availability of the domain name is therefore the first essential step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can test your name on Infomaniak<\/a>, a renowned Swiss web service provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check availability in .ch<\/strong> (Swiss extension) and .com<\/strong> (international extension), because this allows you to ensure good national and international visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if the domain name is available, a company may already be registered under that name. To avoid any disputes or refusals from the authorities, you should consult the official trade registers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These websites allow you to search for a name and see if it's already in use. If a similar name is already registered in a related field, this may cause problems when registering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Switzerland, a company can have a name commercially available<\/strong>, but this name may already be protected by another entity such as registered trademark<\/strong>This means that you could be prosecuted if you use this name without permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perform an advanced search in these databases using different keywords close to your future name. This allows you to avoid a trademark already registered in Switzerland or the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once all the checks have been done, the most important thing remains: choose a relevant name<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company name must to convey an idea, a promise or an identity<\/strong> clear from the first reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you lacking inspiration? Many Swiss tools and organizations can assist you with your strategic thinking or name validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the name is a strategic choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Step 1 \u2013 Check domain name availability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 Where to check?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 Our advice:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step 2 \u2013 Check in the Swiss commercial register<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 To consult:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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https:\/\/www.vd.ch\/economie\/registre-du-commerce<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.zefix.ch\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nStep 3 \u2013 Check availability as a brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 Where to check?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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https:\/\/www.ige.ch\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.euipo.europa.eu\/fr<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nStep 4 \u2013 Choose a clear, explicit and professional name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 Best practices:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Step 5 \u2013 Get inspired and supported<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u27a4 Useful tools and resources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n