The "Home Business Start-Up Checklist" explains how to start a home business in 21 simple steps. Download the book free at www.HomeBusinessCenterInc.com

2. STEP 1
Do you know what type of business
you want? Then you are ready to get
started!
If not, you can check out the article,
“How Do You Find the Best Business
for You?” or use the free Small
Business Finder tool.

3. STEP 2
Before doing anything, you want to
research your market to make sure
that your business has the opportunity
to be profitable.You'll want to look at
things like consumer trends, current
markets (local, national and
international), industry knowledge,
competition and future growth.

4. STEP 3
You may need to check zoning
requirements for your business
to make sure you can operate in
your neighborhood (for example,
if you plan to run a group home,
day care, commercial cooking
business out of your home).

5. STEP 4
Make a plan for your business.
Planning your business before
you start is important,
especially if you need to secure
financing.

6. STEP 5
At this point, you want to decide
how you will structure your
business. Will you operate your
business as a sole proprietor or
do you want to set up a
partnership or corporation?

7. STEP 6
Choose a name for your
business.You will then need to
register your company name
with with the city or county
clerk.

8. STEP 7
Apply for a business license
with your local city office.

9. STEP 8
Get a Federal Tax ID Number,
or Employer ID Number
(EIN), from the IRS.

10. STEP 9
Open a business bank account.
You will want to keep your
personal and business finances
separate with a separate bank
account.

11. STEP 10
Apply for business financing if
necessary. There are several
options outside of the
traditional bank loan.

12. STEP 11
Register your business with
your state for collection of
sales tax, if applicable, and
register your company with
your city/county for local
taxes.

13. STEP 12
Get a payroll book, accounting
software or hire an accountant
to handle business
bookkeeping.

14. STEP 13
If you need work space outside of
your home, you can lease or buy
commercial space, rent shared
space or even an inexpensive virtual
office with a variety of services
(including a professional address
and live phone receptionist).

15. STEP 14
Meet with a local insurance
agent to find out business
insurance requirements and
options.You can also compare
plans online for free.

16. STEP 15
Set up a dedicated business
phone line. This can be the first
impression you give to
potential, and you want
prospects to take you seriously,
even if you work from home.

17. STEP 16
Order business cards.

18. STEP 17
Get office supplies such as software,
computers, printers, paper,
telephones, store display fixtures,
whiteboards, office furniture, filing
and storage, promotional supplies,
cleaning products and other business
necessities

19. STEP 18
You will also want a website,
even if you don’t sell any
products online.You can get a
domain name for about $10 and
use a free website builder, or you
can hire a designer from a very
affordable source we work with.

20. STEP 19
Set up a credit card merchant
account so you can accept
credit card payments from
customers. We’ll show you
how to do this for free.

21. STEP 20
Hire employees, if applicable.

22. STEP 21
Let the journalists and news
outlets help promote your
business for free. We show you
how, along with 31 other
inexpensive promotional
techniques.

23. Many business owners find that
starting a business was not as
hard as they originally thought.
They actually had so much doing
it, that they decided to do it
again.

24. RESOURCES
HOW TO FIND THE BEST BUSINESS FOR YOU:
www.HomeBusinessCenterInc.com/articles/business_right_for_you.html
THE SMALL BUSINESS FINDER:
www.SmallBusinessDirect.com/Small-Business-Finder.html
THE HOME BUSINESS START-UP CHECKLIST:
www.HomeBusinessCenterInc.com/