Register all of the names you use to brand or identify your products as domain names. As an attorney, I recognize that it's best to obtain federal trademark protection. But for many Indie Businesses on a tight budget, this may not always be possible. At a minimum, it's just smart business to reserve the domain name that corresponds to the name used to brand or describe any product you sell, even if that name is not also your corporate business name.

If a person hears about your product, but does not know where to buy it or learn more about it online, they can simply put thebrandname.com into their Web browser and go right to to it. It's not a substitute for a trademark registration, but at least it makes your product or service easier to find online. Additionally, as long as you own the domain name, no one can start selling a competing product or service using it.