Use this checklist in order: plan, budget, name, structure, registration, EIN and state taxes, licenses and permits, bank account, insurance, location, and getting found online (website, domain, business email, Google Business Profile). Skip nothing that applies to your industry and confirm local requirements with your city or county.
Plan and money
- Customer interviews done and competitors listed
- One-page business plan written
- Startup costs and monthly costs estimated (calculator)
- Break-even estimate done (worksheet)
Legal setup
- Business name checked with the state registry and a trademark search
- Structure chosen (sole prop, LLC, corporation)
- Business registered with the state, DBA filed if needed
- EIN obtained from the IRS (free)
- State tax registrations checked (sales tax, payroll)
- Licenses and permits researched for state, county and city
Money, place and protection
- Business bank account opened
- Bookkeeping method chosen and receipts organized
- Location chosen and zoning confirmed
- Lease reviewed before signing
- Insurance discussed with a licensed agent
Getting found and paid
- Domain name registered
- Business email set up
- Website live with services, area, hours and contact
- Google Business Profile created and verified
- Payment methods and invoices ready
- Opening announcement planned
Worked example
Dana is opening a mobile dog grooming business. She prints the checklist and works through it over eight weeks. Plan and money: she talks to fifteen dog owners, writes a one-page plan and lists one-time and monthly costs from real quotes. Legal setup: she checks her name in the state registry and domain availability, forms an LLC, gets an EIN on IRS.gov and asks her city about business licenses and mobile vendor rules. Money, place and protection: she opens a business bank account, gets insurance quotes that cover animals in her care and her van, and confirms where she can dispose of rinse water. Getting found and paid: she registers the domain, sets up business email, launches a simple website with booking, creates a Google Business Profile as a service-area business and chooses a payment provider. Each item gets a date in her calendar so nothing slips.
Common questions
Is there an official startup checklist?
The SBA publishes a 10-step guide. This checklist follows the same order and adds the online setup that new businesses need on day one.
Can I do these steps out of order?
Some, but registration usually comes before the EIN, and the EIN before the bank account. Licenses depend on your activity and location.
What if a step doesn't apply to my business?
Skip it, but write down why. For example, a home-based consultant may not need a health permit, but a caterer will. Confirm with the agency when unsure.
Should I hire someone to handle setup?
Some owners use an accountant or attorney for structure and tax questions; most other steps are straightforward to do yourself with official sources.
Sources
- SBA: 10 steps to start your business
- SBA: Apply for licenses and permits
- SBA: Open a business bank account
Sources checked October 6, 2026. Rules, fees and forms change; confirm details with the agency or provider before you act. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
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