Formed Your LLC? Here's What Comes Next (And Why Most Business Owners Miss It)
So, you’ve officially formed your LLC — congrats! 🎉 But before you kick back and celebrate, here’s the truth: forming your LLC is just the beginning.
At SimpleCorp, we’ve helped many entrepreneurs just like you get started the right way. And the ones who succeed fastest? They set up their legal, financial, digital, and operational foundation right after forming their business — not months later when something goes wrong.
Here’s a comprehensive and practical checklist of everything your new business might still need to ensure a smooth launch and successful operation:
Legal & Compliance Musts
• Get an EIN — Your business needs this federal tax ID to open bank accounts and hire employees.
• File your Statement of Information — Required in most states (like California).
• Operating Agreement — Protects you in internal disputes and outlines roles.
• Register for taxes — Especially if you sell products or plan to hire.
• Business licenses and permits — These vary by city, industry, and county.
Banking & Financial Basics
• Open a business bank account — Keep business and personal finances separate. (don’t forget to bring your Articles of Organization)
• Get a business credit card — Start building your business credit profile.
• Use accounting software — Trust us: spreadsheets won’t cut it forever.
• Talk to a CPA — Understand your tax obligations before tax season.
• Get insured — General liability, professional liability, and others, depending on your business.
Your Brand & Digital Presence
• Buy your domain — Grab your .com before someone else does.
• Set up a professional email — Gmail addresses don’t cut it for credibility.
• Launch a website or landing page — Even a simple one builds trust.
• Create a logo and basic brand kit — Make your brand look consistent across channels.
• Social media profiles — Especially Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google Business.
Tools for Running the Business
• Set up invoicing & payments — Use Stripe, Square, PayPal, etc.
• Get basic legal templates — Contracts, NDAs, and agreements.
• Project management tools — Like Notion, Trello, or Asana.
• Virtual business address — Keeps your home address private.
If You’re Hiring or Scaling
• Register for payroll & unemployment insurance — In California, you need to register with the EDD to pay state payroll and unemployment taxes.
• Use a payroll system — Like ADP or Gusto.
• Create onboarding templates — Employee and contractor agreements.
• Time tracking and HR tools — Automate your early team management.
Marketing & Growth Essentials
• Google Business Profile — Show up in search results and maps.
• Email marketing — Keep your clients and leads updated.
• Design tools — Canva or Adobe Express for branded visuals.
• Intro campaigns — Run promos, offers, and social proof ads to get your first customers.
Don’t Go It Alone: We Can Set It Up For You
Starting a small business is an exciting journey, filled with dreams and ambitions. However, the administrative side of things can quickly become overwhelming. That's where Simplecorp steps in. We specialize in helping small businesses like yours incorporate, file necessary documents, and navigate the often complicated maze of legal requirements.
With our friendly and personal service, we make the process easier and faster, allowing you to focus on what you truly love—growing your business. Our dedicated team simplifies everything, making it easy to understand and complete your filings without the hassle that often comes with it.
So why spend hours deciphering industry jargon and dealing with confusing paperwork? Let us take care of the heavy lifting. Together, we can ensure that you’re set up for success, saving you time, money, and stress along the way.
You certainly didn’t start your business to spend hours and hours figuring all of this complex process out. Let Simplecorp help you streamline your path to success!