WHY BUILD SOMEONE ELSE'S DREAM?
Get fast and simple services to launch your business in 5 steps
Select your business name
Protect your liability with an LLC
Choose LLC services that fit your needs
Set up your banking and accounting
Grow sales by marketing your website
Not sure what type of business entity to start?
Explore all your options.
Take a closer look at the package details to find the best fit for your business.
$0
+ state fees | does not renew
Starter
Standard
$199
+ state fees | renews at $199/yr
Pro
Most Popular
$399
+ state fees | renews at $399/yr
Premium
Best Value
Starter
Pro
Premium
Starter
Standard
Pro
Most Popular
Premium
Best Value
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*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.
**Starter includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/yr).
† SPECIAL OFFERS – By keeping the box(es) selected, you agree to the offers in your package. After the initial period ends, these services automatically renew at their regular price. You can cancel these services at any time before or after the introductory period ends.
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ZenBusiness is perfect. I have started and sold many small businesses over the past 20 years. I wish they were around years ago their team is very talented and quick to your needs. I love them, trust them, and would always use them. The very best!
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– Mark Cuban on Starting a Business
Entrepreneur and Shark Tank host lays out
the steps to follow when starting with ZenBusiness
Business types at a glance
Business formation types have important similarities and differences. Use this table to identify which one is right for you.
The simplest and most flexible way to structure your business to protect personal assets
From $0 + state filing fees
Board of directors not required
Unlimited owners (aka “members”) allowed
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed once or twice; you’re free to choose which can help minimize taxes
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
LLCs can’t go public
Not recognized globally; you may be taxed as a corporation outside U.S.
A more complex structure that gives you the ability to issue shares, go public, or go global.
From $0 + state filing fees
Allows for unlimited owners
Can issue shares to founders, employees, and investors
Owners may get preferred stock
Recognized internationally
Preferred by investors
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed twice—business pays at the corporate level, while shareholders pay on income received
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
This tax designation avoids double taxation if you expect your LLC to be profitable.
From $0 + state filing fees
Maximum of 100 shareholders
Owners can only get common stock
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed once—only shareholders pay on profits received
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
All shareholders must be U.S. citizens or residents
The simplest and most flexible way to structure your business to protect personal assets
From $0 + state filing fees
Board of directors not required
Unlimited owners (aka “members”) allowed
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed once or twice; you’re free to choose which can help minimize taxes
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
LLCs can’t go public
Not recognized globally; you may be taxed as a corporation outside U.S.
A more complex structure that gives you the ability to issue shares, go public, or go global.
From $0 + state filing fees
Allows for unlimited owners
Can issue shares to founders, employees, and investors
Owners may get preferred stock
Recognized internationally
Preferred by investors
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed twice—business pays at the corporate level, while shareholders pay on income received
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
This tax designation avoids double taxation if you expect your LLC to be profitable.
From $0 + state filing fees
Maximum of 100 shareholders
Owners can only get common stock
You’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities
Taxed once—only shareholders pay on profits received
Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
All shareholders must be U.S. citizens or residents
The core basics for starting a business are your business name, business structure, business registration certificate and all your other licenses. You must take the proper legal and regulatory steps in each of these four areas before you launch your business. Obtaining external funding and putting together a business plan are also smart moves, but they aren’t legal prerequisites.
10 steps to start your business:
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, most micro-businesses cost around $3,000 to start, while most home-based franchises cost $2,000 to $5,000. Starting a business may be an exciting process, but it costs money.
When determining business startup costs, it’s important to be realistic. Startup costs will include equipment, incorporation fees, insurance, taxes, and payroll. Although startup costs will vary by your business type and industry — an expense for one company may not apply to another. For example, a brick-and-mortar business will need to pay to rent a separate business location, unlike a home-based online consulting company.
Each person’s ideal timeline for starting a new business will be different. Start a business only when you have enough time to devote your attention to the launch. If you have a seasonal product or service, then you should start your business one quarter before your predicted busy time of the year.
Spring and fall are popular times of year to launch for nonseasonal companies. Winter is the least popular launch season because many new owners prefer to have their LLC or corporation approved for a new fiscal year.
An LLC creates a shield between business liabilities and personal assets. This means, in most cases, a lender can’t force the owner to repay a loan taken out by the business. Nor can someone awarded damages in a lawsuit against the business require the owner to make good on it.
Starts at $0 plus state fees and only take 5 to 10 minutes
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