How to Start an LLC in 6 Steps

Step 1: Name Your LLC

The first step in forming an LLC is to pick a name for your business. After all, your name says a lot about you. In one quick bite, you’re telling your customers who you are, what you do and what you care about (no pressure).

Pick a name that’s distinctive, so that you can avoid any confusion or legal trouble down the line with businesses with similar names.In addition to naming your new business, in most states, you’ll also need to pick a designator to add to your business name to convey that it’s an LLC. This is typically shown by adding "LLC" or "Limited Company" to the end of your business's name.

For example, “Orange Marketing and Media” would become “Orange Marketing and Media, LLC” or “Orange Marketing and Media, Limited Company.” Though if you don’t want the designator on your logo or website URL, you can always talk with your Secretary of State to determine usage rules.

If you're scrounging for business name ideas and coming up short, we've put together a quick guide on How to Search and Choose Your Business Name in All

50 States.

Step 2: Provide an Address

The second step to forming your LLC is to provide a designated business address.

If you dove headfirst into the #remotelife trend and you're operating your business from home, your company address can be the same as your home address. However, if you rent or own physical space to conduct your work, use that address. You could also choose a virtual address, giving you the ability to check mail from anywhere in the world and secure your company’s privacy.

As mentioned above, each state can set its own rules and regulations for addresses, including rejecting P.O. Box addresses, so double-check with your state requirements before completing this step.

Step 3: Assign a Registered Agent

Next, you’ll need to assign a registered agent for your business, a requirement for every state. Think of a registered agent as your legal assistant, as they’ll be in charge of receiving all your documents and keeping in contact with your state government.

Want to streamline your processes while your business grows? You can make yourself (or a managing director) your company’s registered agent. But note that the company itself cannot act as its own registered agent.

However, if you’re a founder, adding registered agent responsibilities to your ever-growing to-do list can lead to a lot of headaches. We strongly recommend founders don’t serve as their own agents, given the hourly requirements and lower level of privacy. Instead, hand off those responsibilities to another person or company — like us — to take the stress off your plate.

In fact, if you buy any of our business formation packages you’ll get one free year of registered agent service. Just another way we help propel your business.

Step 4: Provide Names and Addresses of LLC Members

Once you’ve assembled your all-star team, the fourth step in forming an LLC is to let your state government know whom you’ve gotten into business with. In order to file your paperwork, you’ll need to let the government know the names and addresses of your LLC members.

But unlike the physical address of your business, you can register these addresses as street addresses or P.O. boxes.

Step 5: State the Purpose of Your LLC

The fifth step in starting an LLC is to state the purpose of your business. If you’re far enough along in the process to start filing, you likely already have a business plan or mission statement in place. While these will likely be in-depth and provide more context to your business’s ultimate goals, for state purposes, you can keep

things simple.

Bottom line: they just want to know why you’re forming a business in the first

place.

If you are still working out the kinks of your business’ purpose, don’t fret. Many states will accept a blanket statement of "any lawful purpose” when filing. This doesn't limit you to engaging solely in that specific type of business — it's simply a formality, and you can always expand into new areas later on.

Step 6: File the Articles of Organization

Once you've gathered all the important information for your LLC, the final step is to file these formal documents with your state agency and pay any state fees.

And if you form your LLC with Bizee, we’ll file all these documents on your behalf, saving you time and allowing you to get back to what matters.

Once your files of organization have been accepted, pop the bubbly because you’re officially a business owner!

Benefits of Forming an LLC

When deciding between an LLC and a sole proprietorship, there are a lot of factors to consider, from liability risks to strict regulations. So what’s in it for you? Forming an LLC…

Preparing for the Future: LLC Compliance Requirements

As a business owner, you always need to be looking to the future. Whether you're researching new trends in your industry or trying to learn the latest technology, staying ahead of the game is what separates the good from the great.

But outside of the day-to-day business operations, you’ll also need to maintain compliance with state regulations. This can include periodical reports, additional filing fees as well as annual tax requirements.

You could block out some time reading up on the requirements for your state, but honestly, who has the time? Instead, work with us and take those taxing to-dos off your plate for good (pun intended).