You’ve picked your idea, written your plan, figured out funding, and chosen your structure. This is the step that makes it official — the point where your business stops being a plan on paper and becomes a real, legally recognized entity.
It’s also the step a lot of people put off, mostly because “register your business” sounds vague and intimidating. In reality, it’s a checklist — a series of specific, completable tasks. This guide walks through them in order, so you know exactly what to do next instead of staring at a blank to-do list.
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📩 Not at this step yet? Get our free list of 50 Business Ideas to Start Today and work backward from there — registration is much easier once your idea is locked in.
Step 1: Choose and Check Your Business Name
If you haven’t already locked in a name, do that first — everything else depends on it.
- Check availability with your state’s business registry (usually your Secretary of State’s website) to make sure the name isn’t already taken
- Check the matching domain name. Even if you’re not building a full website yet, securing the domain early prevents someone else from grabbing it. Namecheap is a straightforward, affordable place to check and register it in minutes.
- Check social media handles for your top 2-3 platforms — consistency across your name, domain, and handles makes your business easier to find and look more established
Step 2: Register Your Business Structure
This is where you formally file the structure you chose in Step 4.
- Sole proprietorship: file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) with your local county or state, only if operating under a name other than your own legal name
- LLC or Corporation: file your formation documents (Articles of Organization for an LLC, Articles of Incorporation for a Corporation) through your state’s Secretary of State website, along with the required filing fee
If this part feels overwhelming, you don’t have to handle it alone — Fiverr has freelance business formation specialists who can walk you through your state’s specific requirements without the cost of a law firm.
Step 3: Get Your EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Think of an EIN as a social security number for your business. You’ll need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes.
- Apply directly through the IRS website — this is completely free, and approval is often instant if you apply online
- Be cautious of third-party sites that charge a fee for this — the official process costs nothing
- Even if you’re a sole proprietor and not strictly required to get one, an EIN lets you avoid using your personal social security number for business purposes, which is worth the few minutes it takes
Step 4: Open a Business Bank Account
Mixing personal and business finances is one of the most common early mistakes — it makes bookkeeping harder, complicates taxes, and can undermine the liability protection an LLC is supposed to give you.
- Bring your EIN and formation documents (or DBA, if a sole proprietor) to open the account
- Look for a business account with no or low monthly fees while your revenue is still building
- Keep this account strictly for business income and expenses from day one — it saves significant headache later
Step 5: Check for Required Licenses and Permits
Requirements vary widely depending on your industry and location, so this step takes a bit of research specific to your situation.
Common things to check:
- General business license, required by many cities/counties regardless of industry
- Industry-specific permits (food service, professional licensing, home-based business permits)
- Sales tax permit, if you’ll be selling physical products
- Zoning compliance, especially relevant if you’re running the business from home
Your city or county’s official website is usually the most reliable source — search “[your city] business license requirements” to find the right starting point.
Step 6: Set Up Basic Business Insurance (If Relevant)
Not every business needs extensive insurance from day one, but for many, even basic coverage is worth considering early:
- General liability insurance — covers claims of injury or property damage, relevant for almost any business that interacts with customers
- Professional liability insurance — relevant if you’re offering advice, services, or expertise where a mistake could cause a client financial harm
This doesn’t need to be sorted before you launch, but it’s worth having on your radar for the first few months.
Your Quick Registration Checklist
- Business name checked and confirmed available
- Domain name secured
- Business structure formally filed (DBA, LLC, or Corporation)
- EIN obtained through the IRS website
- Business bank account opened
- Required licenses/permits identified and applied for
- Insurance researched (even if not yet purchased)
What’s Next
With the legal and administrative side handled, it’s time to get the actual operational pieces of your business in place.
👈 Previous step: How to Choose a Business Structure
👉 Next step: How to Set Up Business Operations