How To Start A Business In 25 Easy Steps: Follow These Steps, Create A Simple High-level Business Plan, Name Your Business, Buy Your Domain Name, and much more.

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One of the best ways to achieve wealth and independence is to start your own business. Knowing where to begin with legal setup and branding can boost your confidence and motivate you to take action.

Especially true when managing legal requirements, branding, financing, and operations simultaneously, whether you are running an online business, a local service, or an e-commerce brand.

The good news is that you don’t have to start from scratch. Like me, millions of entrepreneurs have launched profitable businesses, many of whom use tools like LegalZoom to automate their legal and administrative tasks.

Use this detailed guide and the carefully selected resources below as your roadmap to avoid starting from square one or spending weeks researching how to launch a business.

25 Steps to Start a Business

These are the procedures for launching a company. By following this checklist step by step, you can be confident that you are addressing all important operational, financial, and legal issues without overlooking anything. Use this as a flexible guide to keep your process organized and manageable.

How To Start A Business In 25 Easy Steps: Follow

1. Create a very simple and high-level business plan.
2. Think of a name for your business.
3. Purchase a domain name.
4. Secure social media profiles.
5. Create a distinctive brand identity.
6. Set up a Google Workspace account.
7. Build a simple, fundamental website.
8. Obtain a few business cards.
9. Find a lawyer and an accountant.
10. Establish an LLC (Limited Liability Company).
11. Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number).
12. Draft an operational agreement.
13. Submit the required documentation to your state.
14. Open a business bank account.
15. Set up a payroll system for contractors and employees.
16. Install QuickBooks.
17. Implement a simple accounting system.
18. Start using a project management tool from day one.
19. Create an internal wiki system right away.
20. Set up an account on Slack.
21. Get a conference call number.
22. Create a 1Password account.
23. Develop a tracker for subscriptions.
24. Make a strategic plan for the upcoming year.
25. Complete your business plan for life.

Planning your finances and strategy early will help you feel prepared and in control as you launch and grow your business.

First, define Your Business

#1: Create A Simple High-level Business Plan

Just as you wouldn’t embark on a long road trip without directions, your business requires the same level of planning. Begin by addressing two essential questions to guide your course and financial requirements:

• What must you do to become profitable?
• How will those things be funded?

Keep your plan short but clear. List your target market, the problem you want to solve, your top three to five ways to find customers (like social media, email marketing, or local ads), and your estimated startup costs. This one-page plan will guide you through your first year.

Use AI tools to generate ideas for pricing, offers, and customer segmentation, but always back these with actual research and discussions with potential customers to validate your approach and reduce uncertainty.

#2 Naming Your Business

Naming your business requires a blend of diligence and creativity. Aim for a name that is memorable, brandable, and easy to pronounce. It should be a name you feel confident promoting and comfortable using, rather than a made-up word.

Here’s a summary of the most important factors to consider when selecting a name:

• Trust your instincts. If the name doesn’t feel right, you won’t want to promote it. Choose one that aligns with your vision, as you will reference it frequently.

• Choose something unique. Check Google to ensure it is not already in use by nearby competitors or something that could be easily confused with another name.

• Keep it simple and brandable. Avoid difficult spellings or inside jokes that may not resonate with your audience.

• If possible, secure the .com domain. Increases credibility. Additionally, verify that the name is legally usable in your state by using LegalZoom’s company name search and cross-referencing it with your Secretary of State’s database.

This concise naming process can greatly streamline your branding efforts.

Building a Strong Brand Foundation:

• To build a strong brand foundation and inspire audience confidence, list terms and ideas relevant to your offer, target market, and objectives.

• It will help your audience feel proud and connected to your brand from the outset, fostering trust and engagement.

• Check Name Availability Before you pick a name, search online to see if any brands or trademarks already use it.

• Helps you choose a unique name, avoid legal issues, and build trust. Remember to check whether the domain is available as well.

To avoid problems later, you can use services like LegalZoom to check for existing business names and trademarks.

Evaluate Your Brand Name:

Try these methods to see how your name affects brand recognition and trust:

• Make a sample business card, package, or website header using your brand name.

• Practice saying your business introduction out loud, like: “Hello, [Business Name] here. My name is Casey.” It should sound natural and easy to say.

• Ask people in your target audience for honest feedback about the name.

• Wait a few days before making a final decision. If you still like the name, consider purchasing the domain.

#3 Buy Your Domain Name

Your domain is more than just a web address—it’s a key part of your brand. Treat it as an important part of your identity. short, straightforward domains that align with your brand, as they are easier to type, remember, and trust.

Be ready to spend a bit more for a strong domain name. It can make your business look more credible.

I’ve looked into the top domain registrars to help you compare costs, privacy options, and renewal terms. It’s smart to secure your domain now, even if you’re not ready to launch yet.

Consider buying common misspellings or other domain endings, such as .net or .co. Protects your brand and helps people find you online.

#4 Secure Social Media Accounts

After you pick your name and domain, claim matching handles on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Helps you manage your online presence.

Even if you don’t post right away, reserving these handles gives you confidence and helps you feel a sense of ownership of your brand.

#5 Build A Strong Brand Identity

Create a unique brand identity to help people recognize and trust your brand. Your logo, colors, fonts, and brand voice all play a part.

Pick a simple, flexible design system for your proposals, packaging, social media, and website. You can hire a designer or use services like 99designs by Vista to get ideas.

To maintain consistency across your publications from the beginning—and to assist any AI technologies you may later implement—develop a one-page style guide that includes color codes, typefaces, logo usage, and voice examples.

#6 Configure a Google Workspace Account

Think about setting up Google Workspace, which gives you access to Drive, Docs, Sheets, shared calendars, and a professional email (you@yourdomain.com) with your own domain.

It’s an affordable way to collaborate and maintain a professional appearance. Plans typically cost $8 to $9 per user per month, with discounts for annual payment. Google may change prices, so check the latest rates when you sign up.

To make sure your emails reach inboxes and protect your brand from spoofing, add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records with your domain registrar after setup. Setting this up early helps your support and sales emails avoid spam folders.

#7 Develop A Simple Foundational Website

Create a straightforward website as your initial online presence. A one-page summary can outline your value proposition, services or products, a brief “About” section, and clear contact information. Website builders such as Squarespace make this process quick and easy.

Publish your site first, then iterate. Include a privacy statement, Google Analytics, Search Console, a contact form, and basic SEO titles and descriptions.

As your business grows, follow detailed guides to transition to WordPress and develop a comprehensive website or online store with blogs, landing pages, and content marketing.

#8 Order Some Business Cards

Business cards remain valuable for meetings and events. Ensure your branding package includes print-ready files and that you can send them to printers such as Vistaprint.

Maintain a simple design. Consider including a QR code on your cards or website to enhance accessibility.

#9 Find An Accountant And An Attorney

Don’t wait to hire an accountant and an attorney. Getting legal and tax advice early can help you avoid expensive mistakes. If you’re not sure where to begin, LegalZoom has affordable legal plans that connect you with qualified attorneys.

If you need specialized help, platforms like UpCounsel can connect you with lawyers who match your needs. When choosing a CPA, find one who specializes in small-business tax preparation.

They should provide guidance on entity selection, write-offs, payroll, sales tax requirements, and bookkeeping solutions tailored to your business model.

#10 Create an LLC

Forming an LLC protects your personal assets and can enhance your business’s credibility. An attorney or a service such as LegalZoom can streamline the filing process and reduce costs, providing added confidence in your decision.