How to start a business

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Table of Contents

Guide to starting a business

Here at MODA Technologies, we love that you dream of being your own boss. Of building a future where you get to do what you love. Of enriching your community.

No matter where you find yourself on your business journey—whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect domain or weighing the benefits of an LLC—we’re here to lend a hand.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to starting your business off right.

Create a business plan

You’ve landed on a smart business idea (something you’re confident you won’t get tired of doing day after day) and the timing feels right. It’s time to start planning. This step can feel daunting, but it doesn’t need to be.

You probably don’t need a lengthy document right off the bat. Start with a concise, one-page overview that distills the ins and outs of your business:

Who is your ideal customer?
What are you selling, and how?
How much will you charge?
What’s your mission? (Why do you do what you do?)
What sets your business apart from competitors?
What are your startup expenses?

The answers to these questions can keep you on track later, as you work to get your venture off the ground. Turn to your mission statement for motivation when things get tough—and consider sharing your business plan with a few trusted friends to pinpoint any weak spots.

Choose a business name and secure a domain to match

Choosing the right name for your business is equal parts creativity and research. It’s thinking of a name that perfectly encapsulates your brand—and being prepared to go back to the drawing board if that name turns out to be taken.

A few rules of thumb:

Your business name should be easy to spell and pronounce.
It should give your business room to evolve over time.
It should evoke your brand or clearly convey what you do—or both.
If you’re starting an LLC or corporation, your official business name should contain an identifier, like “limited liability company” or “co.”

Once you have a business name in mind, start snooping. Go to your Secretary of State’s website to conduct a free business name search—and find out if your potential name is registered to another business in your state. Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to make sure it isn’t trademarked.

If your ideal business name is available, act fast. Most states allow you to reserve a business name for a fee—a good move if you’re not quite ready to launch, but want to be sure your name will still be there when you need it.

Next up is choosing a domain name for your website. Use our domain search tool to search for your business name—and see how close you can get. Your URL doesn’t have to perfectly match your business name, but keeping these names similar can help your customers to remember your brand and website.

It all starts with the perfect domain.

Take the first step in bringing your dream to life—with a fitting, unforgettable web address.

Decide on a business structure

You know what your business is going to sell, and what you’re going to call it (half the battle won!). Now it’s time to decide what kind of legal structure will work best.

If you’re selling products or services as yourself—without a formal business structure—you’re already a sole proprietor, by default.

If you’re looking for more separation between your business and personal assets, forming an LLC or corporation is probably the right step. Let’s look at your options.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is your business’s default structure if you operate under your own name, without forming a legal entity like an LLC. With this setup, your business is essentially an extension of yourself.

As the least formal type of business, sole proprietorships offer simplicity and minimal upkeep. There’s no paperwork to file with the state, unless you want to operate under a different name (in which case you’d submit a DBA or “Doing Business As” statement).

The main downside of sole proprietorships is the risk to yourself. In the event of bankruptcy or legal action, there’s no separation between your business and personal assets—putting everything you own at risk. That’s why, when sales start picking up, most small businesses choose to transition to an LLC.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The LLC (limited liability company) is a flexible, business-friendly middle ground—between more formal structures like corporations, and simpler ones like sole proprietorships and partnerships. To start an LLC, you’ll file a document called Articles of Organization with your state and pay a one-time filing fee.

You’ll also need an official business name (good thing you’ve already chosen one!) and a registered agent—more on that below. LLCs offer a serious advantage by providing a layer of liability protection between yourself and your business, shielding you and your personal assets from risk.

If you need the protection of an LLC but you don’t need the extra paperwork, we’ve got you covered! MODA Technologies can prepare and submit your LLC paperwork for you—and we include a free domain for one year, plus a free trial of everything else you need to get established (business phone number, professional email, and more).

Corporation

The corporation is more formal than the LLC—and it’s an entity that projects success. If you’re aiming to attract investors, starting a corporation can help boost your credibility.

But with the added professionalism of an “inc” comes a little more paperwork. Corporations have more guidelines and record-keeping requirements to fulfill, like electing a board of directors, creating financial statements, and holding annual meetings.

That said, incorporating can still be the right choice—especially if you want to raise capital by selling shares. Like LLCs, corporations offer liability protection, limiting your personal risk as your business grows. And like LLCs—corporations are easy to form, with MODA Technologies.

Why settle for just an LLC when you could have more?

When you hire Epik to form your LLC or corporation, we set you up with everything you need to build your brand identity—including a free domain for one year, plus a free trial of web hosting, business phone service, professional email, & more.

Get a registered agent

If you’re forming an LLC or a corporation, you’ll need a registered agent in every state where you do business. This individual or entity acts as your business’s official point of contact for important legal notices.

When submitting your formation paperwork, you’ll designate your registered agent by providing their name and address. This information becomes part of your state’s public business records—which is why so many business owners choose a commercial registered agent service, instead of listing themselves as agent.

While being a registered agent might sound simple, it comes with its share of responsibilities, like being available during regular business hours. It also poses serious privacy risks. If you’d rather skip the hassle, we can help. MODA Technologies’s registered agent service includes same-day mail scans, the use of our business address to protect your privacy, and peace of mind from day one.

Want to launch your business all the way? Our registered agent service also includes a free domain name, and a no-strings-attached trial of professional email, phone service, website hosting, and more.

File your paperwork with the state

Once you’ve decided on the best legal structure for your business and you’ve found a registered agent, it’s time to file your formation paperwork. Note that this step only applies if you’re forming a legal business entity, like an LLC or corporation (sole proprietors aren’t required to register with the state).

Forming your LLC or corporation involves paying a one-time state fee, providing information about your business, and waiting for confirmation that your application was successful. If you’re a DIY-er, you can file your LLC or corporation paperwork yourself—we’re here to help with any questions along the way. Or, if you’d rather save yourself time and trouble, you can enlist MODA Technologies to file your paperwork for you.

Set up communication & marketing channels

Good communication is everything when you’re trying to start a business from scratch. As you get ready to launch, think about the main ways you’ll connect with leads and clients, and how they’ll reach out to you. A custom website, dedicated phone number, professional email address, and active social media presence will all be essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a domain name?

Finding a domain name that fits your brand is the key to your entire online presence. Here are some tips to keep in mind while you hunt for the perfect domain:

Your URL should be catchy, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Keep it short and simple, without any special characters or hyphens.
Explore your top-level domain (TLD) options. The .com extension still reigns supreme for its credibility and memorability, but many shorter .com domains are already spoken for. Don’t overlook other reliable extensions like .net and .org—or industry-specific TLDs such as .io or .tech.
Plan for the future by choosing a name that can grow with your business over time.

What comes with an MODA Technologies domain?

Every MODA Technologies domain includes:

An SSL certificate
A customizable parking page
Optional WHOIS privacy to keep your contact info private
No surprises pricing – your domain will renew at the same price as registration, with no unexpected price hikes.

Should I secure my domain and business name at the same time?

We recommend it—especially if you want your business and domain name to match or be closely aligned. If you have a great name in mind for your business (and the domain is available), it’s best to strike while the iron’s hot.

There are a few ways to secure your business name. If you’re a sole proprietor, you can file DBA (doing business as) paperwork in your state, allowing you to legally operate under your desired company name.

If you just want to reserve your business name until you’re ready to launch, filing a name reservation form will buy you some time—usually up to 90 days.

Or, if you’re ready to form an LLC or corporation, you can lock down your business name by using it on your formation paperwork.

Securing your domain name is easy—use our domain name search at the top of this page to get started. If your first choice is taken, try out variations of your business name, including location words like “nyc” or short verbs like “get” until you find a domain that works. Register your domain with MODA Technologies—and be sure to add web hosting at checkout so you can get online fast.

Tip: When you hire MODA Technologies to start your LLC or corporation, we help you secure your business name and domain name at the same time. Just add a free trial of our Business Launchkit to your cart when you sign up for formation or registered agent service—and get a free domain for a year, plus professional email, web hosting, a business phone line, and more.

How do I start a business from scratch?

Starting a business from scratch might seem intimidating—but it’s actually pretty simple. Just start selling something—anything—and you have a business. But there are a few more steps you’ll want to take to really set yourself up for success. Our How to Start a Business Guide will walk you through all the details. And reach out to our team along the way—we’re always happy to help.

What kind of web hosting do I need for my small business?

Most beginners and small businesses just starting out find that shared web hosting fits the bill. It offers enough bandwidth, storage, and memory for a small-to-medium website—and won’t break the bank. As your business grows, you might need more resources. That’s when many business owners upgrade to VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, which gives you dedicated server space on a shared server. For maximum control and power, we recommend dedicated hosting, which is better for high-traffic websites and businesses needing an enterprise-level solution.

Need help launching your website? Sign up for MODA Technologies’s Registered Agent (RA), LLC, or Incorporation service to get started, and you’ll receive a free trial of our Business Launchkit. This includes shared WordPress hosting, easy-to-use templates, and 24/7 support. We get you online fast—with real human support whenever you need it.

Why do I need a business phone number and email address?

We understand that when you’re starting a business, making sales is the top priority—and we agree.

But even in the early days, the way your business presents itself is also crucial. Using a business phone number and email address for your new venture not only keeps your work and personal lives separate (and helps you protect your privacy), it also tells your customers that they’re dealing with a professional.

With our Business Launchkit—part of our business formation and registered agent service at MODA Technologies—you get everything you need to launch your business, including a domain name, web hosting, business phone number, email address, and more. It’s free for the first 90 days and just $9 per month for each service after that. It’s the fastest (and simplest) way to get lines of communication for your business up and running.

The best part? There are no commitments or contracts. You can cancel anytime, or just keep the parts you need.