*Mr. Cuban may receive financial compensation for his support.
Starting a business, like any major venture, is easier when you know what to do and have a place to turn when you need help. Our How to guide walks you through the steps you need to get started. You’ll find it helpful whether you want to know how to start an online business, a business from home or a business that you’ll operate from a commercial space.
When you are ready to move ahead with your business idea, we simplify the process of filing your legal documents and registering the company in your state to make you “official.”
Use our guide as a road map to follow to get your company off the ground. If you already know what kind of business you will be starting, begin at step 2.
The first step is to decide what kind of business to start. If you have skills and abilities that are in demand, that decision may be easy. But if you’re not sure what you want to do, there are hundreds of business ideas for you to consider.
As you look over various ideas, remember that your own likes, dislikes, skills, goals and personal finances will play a role in determining the best business to start for you. The idea you choose should be something you like to do, are good at doing, and something people will purchase at a price that will make a profit.
What Business Do You Want to Start Today?
Market research is important when you’re starting a business because it helps you determine if your idea can succeed. Researching the market for your business will give you insights into who your customers will be, what they are looking for, and how you’ll need to sell to them. Doing a competitive analysis will help you see what you’ll need to do to stand out and differentiate yourself from the competition.
A few of the market research questions you should investigate include:
Here are a few ways to conduct market research:
The more you know about your potential customers and competitors, the better decisions you can make regarding your product or service. A marketing worksheet can be helpful to gather and review your data.
Beyond helping you make good decisions, arming yourself with quality market research will help when looking for loans and investments for your startup. For additional information see our article on How to do market research and competitive analysis.
Best Businesses to start in each state
Ready to start a business? More leading business idea's listed by state.
A business plan is a document that describes your company, its products and services, its customers, its goals and what’s required to meet those goals. You’ll need a detailed business plan if you will be applying for a business loan or looking for a loan. But even if you are self-funding your business, writing a business plan is important because it makes you pay attention to all the details that will affect your business’s profitability and success.
When creating your business plan, there are some key elements to include in starting a business:
For additional information on a business plan visit our business plan template.
Based on the data in your business plan, determine how much money you will need to open your business and operate it until it becomes profitable.
Although there are ways to bootstrap your business, it usually takes money to get it off the ground.
Among the startup expenses you should plan on are:
Depending on what you do, other possible expenses may include rent, inventory, vehicle expenses, and salaries. Here’s how to calculate startup costs.
In addition to knowing what it will cost to open and run your business, you need to know the break-even point for your goods and services. The break-even point tells you how much you have to sell and at what price to equal the cost of producing your goods and services. In other words, it indicates at what point you make a profit.
Use the ZenBusiness break-even point calculator to determine your break-even point. Just plug in your numbers and see the results on screen.
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Once you have determined how much funding you need, you need to determine how to get the money to start your business. There are three basic ways to fund your business startup: self-funding, loans, and investors.
Choosing the right business name for your new company is important. You want a name that helps you build and then protect your brand. You want it to be unique and may want it to be descriptive. But you don’t want it to be so descriptive that it limits your future growth. For instance, if your business name is Jill’s Pearl Jewelry, customers who want to buy silver or diamond, or gold jewelry may never think to visit your shop.
There are a few requirements you will need to meet when selecting a name. If you have decided on an LLC for your business structure, all states require some form of “LLC” to be included in the name. You won’t be able to use a word that implies an illegal activity: For example, if fireworks aren’t legal in your state, don’t use “fireworks” in your name. Here are more tips on naming your business.
For most small companies, the best location to open a business is in the state in which they plan to operate. Many companies can be started from home to keep costs down. But if you need to rent space for your business, choose your location carefully. Before starting, sit down and make a list of the things your business needs or should avoid. Don’t begin unprepared because once you are locked into a location, it can be costly and time-consuming to correct the problem.
There are a few things to consider. Does the location meet the operational needs of your business and growth strategy? What will the location cost (think about rent, utilities, and any other costs you will incur from being in the space)? Some companies need to consider things like demographics. Retailers will want to consider the kinds of foot traffic and parking that a location affords. They also want to consider if the area allows their brand to fit — for example, is it an upscale area or a more relaxed environment?
Consider if the location has the right infrastructure for your business, like technology needs or accessibility. Understand the local environment. What kinds of regulations or ordinances will you be following, and what taxes do you need to pay?
Deciding on the structure of your business is an important decision for starting a business. Look at the pros and cons of each option before selecting one. The structure you choose will determine your tax liabilities, how you organize and run your business, and the amount of liability protection available to the owners.
As the name implies, in a sole proprietorship, you are the only owner of the business. You reap all the profits and are responsible for all the business debts. In most cases, launching as a sole proprietor is quick and easy. However, as a sole proprietor, you are completely liable for any losses or debts incurred by the business.
If you have at least two people starting a company together, you can form a partnership. In a general partnership, each of the partners contributes funds to start the company, and they all share in the management, profits, and losses of the company. Among the disadvantages is that if one partner causes a loss or injury, all the partners are liable.
A limited liability partnership provides some liability protection to the partners by shielding them from the malpractice or wrongful actions of the other partners, though this liability protection can vary by state.
An LLC is a form of business that combines the ease of operation of a sole proprietorship with the liability protection of a corporation. Legally, the LLC is a separate entity from the person or people who own it (the members.). The only businesses that might not be eligible in some states are professional partnerships, which would form a limited liability partnership or a professional limited liability company. Professional partnerships are businesses like a doctor’s office or law firm.
An S corporation is not really a separate kind of business structure, but a tax election status. A C corporation or an LLC can apply for S corporation status with the IRS. S corporation status is often a way for C corporations to avoid double taxation because they’re taxed like a general partnership or sole proprietorship.
One reason an LLC might opt for S corporation status is that it can save the owners money on Social Security and Medicare taxes (self-employment tax) by splitting income into two groups, salary and distribution. The IRS only requires the owners of an S corporation to pay the-Social Security and Medicare tax on their salary. Distributions of profits are not subject to self-employment tax.
You don’t have to make this decision alone. We have information and resources to help you make the best decision to set up a business. Here’s more information to help your business structure.
C corporations are owned by shareholders who elect a board of directors. The board leads the decision-making. C-corps are a separate entity from the owners, protecting their liability. However, with a C corporation, the business will be taxed, and then the individual shareholders will be taxed on the income they receive (known as “double taxation”).
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The business structure you choose, the type of work you do, and business location will determine how and where you have to register your business and what licenses and permits are required.
If you are a sole proprietorship or partnership, in most cases you will have to register and get a DBA certificate for your business name. DBA is an acronym that means Doing Business As.It’s also referred to as a fictitious name certificate. Banks usually require it to open a bank account in the business name. If you already have an LLC or corporation and want to do business under a different name than the company’s legal name, the company will also have to apply for a DBA. For example, “ABC Corporation” would need a DBA to operate under the names “ABC Puzzles” or “ABC Toys.”
Filing for your DBA will take a few weeks, and each state, county, and city will have different rules. Generally, though, you may need to provide proof of good standing and have a unique name. You might need to make public announcements that follow the rules of your area and have a reliable payment method. You will also need a Social Security number or a federal tax ID (EIN).
Once you’ve chosen your business structure, if you will be operating as an LLC or corporation, the next step is to register your business with the state. (If you have a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you don’t need to take this step).
For most states, this will require visiting the Secretary of State website, but before you do, there are a few decisions you need to make.
First, get a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or entity who is the point of contact between your business and the state. They accept legal notices on behalf of your company and make sure you get them in a timely manner.
All states allow you to serve as your own registered agent. That may seem like a simple solution, but there are disadvantages. A registered agent must be available during business hours. Running your business and being in one location all day can be difficult. It can also be inconvenient to be served with legal documents while meeting with a potential client.
Hiring an outside registered agent service relieves you of the burden and can make your life a lot easier. A few advantages include:
If you are creating an LLC, your next step will be creating an Operating Agreement. Only a few states require the document, but it is important for your business to have one. This document is where you will set in writing the way your business will be run, managed, and governed.
An Operating Agreement gives your LLC and its members several advantages, including:
Operating Agreements should be customized to your particular business; however, there are some standard items to include. When it’s time for you to create your business’s Operating Agreement, you could hire an attorney. However, that option is expensive and takes time.[/callout]
To register with the state, you need to file the Articles of Organization. Visit your Secretary of State’s website and find the correct form and information on filing fees, which can vary by state. Most states allow for online filing.
Make sure you have all the information needed for the form. Each state has a different application, but most of them include:
Businesses — or, in the case of sole proprietors and an LLC, the individual owners — must know and follow the laws around federal, state, and local taxes. To make sure you are collecting and paying the right taxes, begin by obtaining your identifying numbers.
The first number you need is your federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). This number is assigned to your business by the IRS. Most businesses need to obtain this number. You can determine if your business requires an EIN by looking at the following requirements:
Even if your business is not required to obtain an EIN, you should get one anyway. EINs are helpful for a few reasons. Your bank may require you to provide your EIN before opening a business bank account. It also prevents you from needing to use your Social Security number for business purposes, which helps prevent fraud.
What taxes apply to your business and the tax system will vary from state to state. You need to register with your state. Your state’s Department of Revenue is a good place to look since many states maintain the system they use. Don’t forget about local taxes, as well. You’ll need to investigate and sign up for the tax system in your business’s home city and/or county.
Different types of companies may be required to pay different taxes. Some of the most common taxes include:
To learn more about the taxes your business is subject to, reach out to your state Department of Revenue or its equivalent.
Just because you have formed your business does not mean you are ready to operate legally. You may need additional licenses or permits in your state or local area. Whether it’s a general business license or an industry-specific license, it’s important to obtain the right permits to stay in compliance and keep your business running smoothly.
Some of the most common types of business licenses you may need include:
Ensuring you obtain the licenses and permits you need can be time-consuming, but it’s an essential step. Once you have them, make sure you know if they expire and when you need to reapply. Without them, you may find yourself with fines or having to stop doing business.
Even if you will be operating as a sole proprietor under your own given name, you should have a separate bank account for your business. Having a separate bank account for your business makes it easy to separate business and personal expenses at tax time. It also gives more legitimacy to your business and makes it easier to accept credit cards, get financing and do business in general. Here are guidelines for choosing a small business bank account.
The excitement of starting a business can fade when faced with the daunting steps of actually getting that business up and running. There are a lot of details to consider, choices to make, and paperwork to fill out.
Don’t let the process slow you down. We can help you in starting a business in no time. Our experts can assist you at each of the stages we’ve discussed in this “How to Start a Business” guide.
We won’t stop there, either. Once you are up and running, it’s time to begin looking at how to grow. We’ve put together a Run Your Business guide to provide expert advice on operating and expanding your business.
We will work with you to make it easy in starting, running, and growing your business. Our plans include business formation, registered agent, name registration services, and more. Our experts are ready to get started today, so you can focus on your business’s business.
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If you lack startup money, choose a business based on your abilities and the assets you already have. Your home computer, your Internet connection, your personal skills, hobbies, and interests may be all you need to get started. Here are dozens of businesses you can start with no money.
The easiest business to start up will be one based on something you already know how to do and has potential customers. Do people ask you for help using Excel or PowerPoint? Do friends admire your handmade jewelry or ask where to get the decorative soaps you cooked up in the kitchen? Those things could be businesses. Here are more ideas for easy businesses to start.
Starting a home business is a good approach for beginners because it keeps costs down and takes away some of the risk. For beginners who have money to invest, a buying franchise can be a good option if the franchise is well-established. With a franchise, you get access to operational methods, brand name and support that you don’t have starting on your own.
Almost any type of business that doesn’t endanger the health and safety of customers or your neighbors can be run from home if there are no zoning laws or homeowners’ association rules prohibiting a home business. The types of businesses that usually can’t be run from home are businesses that produce foods, deal with hazardous chemicals, are very noisy, create a traffic hazard, and in other ways endanger, inconvenience, or change the character of the neighborhood.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.