So you have taken the first step to opening your business and you
have decided to make it a Corporation or Limited Liability Company.
There are many companies out there that offer incorporation services, so
how do you know which one is the right one for you and your business?
These nine steps will help you make an informed decision about the
incorporation company you choose, so you can avoid the pitfalls of
incorporating with the wrong one.
1) If you build it they will come
Just because an incorporation company has a web site doesn’t mean that it is a legitimate business entity. There are many “incorporate.com” companies online that are simply that, a web site. You should thoroughly research the company you are thinking about using to incorporate your business to make sure they are a formal business entity (corporation or LLC). You can investigate a company by contacting the Better Business Bureau and State Attorney’s Office where the business is physically located to find out if any complaints have been filed against them. You can even go as far as to look up their business license to verify that it is current. Business licenses can be verified with the state in which the business is operating.
2) Business affiliations
Businesses like to place their business affiliations and organization membership logos on their website and other marketing material. Often times this helps to relax potential customers because it makes customers feel like they are working with a legitimate company. It is very important that you take these memberships at face value and dig a little deeper to verify that this company is actually a member of these organizations.
For example, when you see the Better Business Bureau logo on a web site, you probably breathe a sigh of relief. Take a few minutes to contact the Better Business Bureau via phone or online to verify the company’s membership status and to make sure that there haven’t been any complaints filed against them. It will take only a few minutes of your time and can save you a huge headache in the long-run.
Many organizations have stringent guidelines that a company must adhere to in order to become a member. For example, the local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce may require that the company provide a copy of their business license and occupational license, in order to ensure the company is a legally operating entity. These types of procedures are for the protection of the consumer, so utilize the public information available to you and verify everything!
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1) If you build it they will come
Just because an incorporation company has a web site doesn’t mean that it is a legitimate business entity. There are many “incorporate.com” companies online that are simply that, a web site. You should thoroughly research the company you are thinking about using to incorporate your business to make sure they are a formal business entity (corporation or LLC). You can investigate a company by contacting the Better Business Bureau and State Attorney’s Office where the business is physically located to find out if any complaints have been filed against them. You can even go as far as to look up their business license to verify that it is current. Business licenses can be verified with the state in which the business is operating.
2) Business affiliations
Businesses like to place their business affiliations and organization membership logos on their website and other marketing material. Often times this helps to relax potential customers because it makes customers feel like they are working with a legitimate company. It is very important that you take these memberships at face value and dig a little deeper to verify that this company is actually a member of these organizations.
For example, when you see the Better Business Bureau logo on a web site, you probably breathe a sigh of relief. Take a few minutes to contact the Better Business Bureau via phone or online to verify the company’s membership status and to make sure that there haven’t been any complaints filed against them. It will take only a few minutes of your time and can save you a huge headache in the long-run.
Many organizations have stringent guidelines that a company must adhere to in order to become a member. For example, the local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce may require that the company provide a copy of their business license and occupational license, in order to ensure the company is a legally operating entity. These types of procedures are for the protection of the consumer, so utilize the public information available to you and verify everything!
Read More...
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