Business Start Up Checklist

Business Start Up Checklist


The list below is meant to remind you of the tasks you may have to perform to start your business.

Not every business will have to complete each step. For instance, you may decide not to register your trademark with state or federal officials. Or, you may not be required to publish a notice of intent to do business.

Since laws vary by state and by type of business, be sure to check with local authorities to determine if there are any additional legal steps you need to take.

Choose a business based on your skills and interests
Research the business idea
- What will you sell
- Is it legal
- Who will buy it and how often
- Are you willing to do what it takes to sell the product
- What will it cost to produce, advertise, sell & deliver
- With what laws will you have to comply
- Can you make a profit
- How long will it take to make a profit

Write a business plan and marketing plan
Choose a business name
Verify right to use the name
See if the business name is available as a domain name
Register the business name and get a business certificate
Register the domain name even if you aren't ready to use it yet
Choose a location for the business or make space in the house for it
Check zoning laws
File partnership or corporate papers
Get any required business licenses or permits
Reserve your corporate name if you will be incorporating
Register or reserve state or federal trademark
Register copyrights
Apply for patent if you will be marketing an invention
Order any required notices (advertisements you have to place) of your intent to do business in the community
Have business phone or extra residential phone lines installed
Check into business insurance needs
Find out about health insurance if you will not have coverage under a spouse
Get adequate business insurance or a business rider to a homeowner's policy Send out publicity releases
Apply for sales tax number if needed
Get tax information such as record keeping requirements, information on withholding taxes if you will have employees, information on hiring independent contractors, facts about estimating taxes, forms of organization, etc.
Call Department of Labor to determine labor laws if you have employees.
Apply for employee identification number if you will have employees
Find out about workers' compensation if you will have employees
Open a bank account for the business
Have business cards and stationery printed
Purchase equipment or supplies
Order inventory
Order signage
Order fixtures
Get an email address
Find a web hosting company
Get your web site set up
Have sales literature prepared
Call for information about Yellow Pages advertising.
Place advertising in newspapers or other media if yours is the type of business that will benefit from paid advertising
Call everyone you know and let them know you are in business
Other _______________________