Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the plunge and start your own business! Well I have some good news for you: taking the first step is easier than you think.
One of the first things you may want to do is check for name availability in the state you will register your business. What’s in a name? Well, a lot. The right name will get you known and stay etched in the mind of your customers, as well as determine the direction of an appropriate marketing strategy. Most importantly, it should effectively communicate what you want your client base to know about you (what your business is, how you do business, etc.).
Once you have decided on a name (or perhaps a couple), check your name availability here:
AZ: http://www.azsos.gov/scripts/TNT_Search_engine.dll
CO: http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/BusinessEntityCriteriaExt.do
ID: http://www.accessidaho.org/public/sos/corp/search.html?ScriptForm.startstep=crit
The next step once you have chosen your name is to register your business. If you choose to do this yourself, click here to access the documents you must fill out and submit to the Secretary of State:
AZ: http://www.azsos.gov/business_services/filings.htm
CO: http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/FileDoc.do
CA: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/forms.htm
ID: https://labor.idaho.gov/applications/ibrs/ibr.aspx
Aren’t sure if you should be a LLC or a corporation? Don’t even know what a LLC or a corporation is or want help registering your business? Read my blog about legalzoom.com, coming soon!
