Sole proprietorships will default to the owner’s legal name, and although you won’t have to register the business with the Secretary of State, you will have to register a business name if it’s different from your own. You must register your trade name with the Secretary of State (as well as pay the $39 reservation filing fee) to claim it. For instance, a hypothetical company named Grow Healthy Organics LLC may operate publicly under its trade name, OrganiGrow. It can be the same as your LLC name, but it doesn’t have to be. This is the name you’ll use to conduct business. In Ohio, your “doing business as,” or DBA, is referred to as a trade name.
Some website hosts provide free domain name searches so you can check to see what’s available. Purchasing a matching domain name for your LLC can also be helpful, as this ensures no one else can buy “your” website and use it for any purpose unrelated to your business. Fill out Form 534B to reserve your desired LLC name for up to 180 days.
Additional documentation and proof of license is required to use words like “insurance” or “doctor” in the name. All LLC names must contain the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or its acronym “LLC” or “L.L.C.” They cannot reference government entities such as the “DEA” or “FBI,” include racial slurs, or contain trademarked names. If you’re setting up a limited liability company (LLC), there are particular state guidelines for owners to follow. You can use the business name search on the Secretary of State’s website to see if your name idea is already taken. Your business name should make it clear what you do, or at least intrigue potential customers to find out more.
Pick a name that feels relevant to your business. These steps can take your business from concept to reality: Think about what kind of overhead costs you need to run your business-rent, electricity, raw materials, employees, etc.-and try to estimate how much you will need to sell in order to cover those costs.īefore officially establishing your business in Ohio, you’ll need to choose a name. Figure out how you’re going to market and sell your product, and what kind of distribution you’ll need to do it. How will this business make money? Profitability is the key to any successful business-otherwise, it’s just a (potentially expensive) hobby.You can also research the market and industry trends, or even go out and talk to potential customers about what they need. Who is my business for? Think through who you will sell to and who is in need of your services-what hole in the market is your business filling? You can analyze other businesses in the same arena as yours to see what they’re doing right and what you can improve upon.Answering these questions about your business can determine if the idea can be developed into something more: Choose a business ideaįine-tuning your business idea will likely take time and money to make the business successful. Ohio streamlines the process for starting a business, offering resources and support along the way. When it comes to business incentives and tax breaks, this Midwestern state has no business inventory tax or state corporate income tax, no annual reporting, and even provides access to financial assistance and loan programs. Whether planning to open a physical store or setting up an online business, Ohio offers several benefits to its nearly one million small-business owners. To sell products using the Shopify platform, you must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction of your business and your customers, the Shopify Terms of Service, the Shopify Acceptable Use Policy, and any other applicable policies. Businesses outside of California will have different steps and requirements.
Requirements are updated frequently and you should make sure to do your own research and reach out to professional legal, tax, and business advisers, as needed. This content doesn’t contain and isn’t meant to provide legal, tax, or business advice. You are responsible for reviewing and using this information appropriately.