Starting a Business Checklist

Start Your Business

This checklist is a good starting point for you as you begin your business. It is in no way meant to be a substitute for professional advice or counsel.

For more information about starting a business, contact your local SBDC for a confidential consulting session or attend an upcoming First Step workshop. You might also wish to explore more topics in-depth in our online tutorial for Starting a Business.

  • Choose a business idea, product or service.
  • Research the business industry.
    • What will you sell? Is it legal? Who will buy it? How often?
    • Are you willing and able to do what it takes to sell your product?
    • What will your product cost to produce, market, sell, and deliver? Can you make a profit? How long will it take for your business to make a profit?
    • What compliance issues do you need to address?
  • Write a business plan.
  • Write a marketing plan.
  • Using a domain registry service, see if the business name is available for use as an Internet domain name. Register the domain name--on GoDaddy or any of the innumerable other domain providers--even if you aren't ready to use it yet. Your dream URL might already be taken.
  • Choose a location for the business.
  • Check zoning laws.
    • Zoning ordinances differ among townships and boroughs.
    • the PA E-Library is good website that offers zoning ordinances for townships throughout the state (but only if the township posts it)
    • Always talk to the Zoning Officer and get a copy of the ordinance at the Township and document it.   There are often discrepancies in versions of Township ordinances.  Also ask for any recent amendments that might not be in the book
    • Make sure to look at an up to date zoning map and get the Zoning officer  to make a determination of which zone the property is in and what relief may be needed.
  • File partnership, corporate, or limited liability company papers with the Corporation bureau with department of state.
    • Can fill out the paper form and mail in. 
    • Can complete online through the Online Business Registration Interview. The OBRI is a step-by-step wizard that guides users through the process of registering an enterprise with the Departments of Labor & Industry, Revenue, and State.  It is designed for users who are unfamiliar with Pennsylvania taxes, services, and business registration requirements.  Also, Enterprises that have not registered their Limited Liability Company, Corporation, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, or Fictitious Name with the Department of State.
  • Register for state taxes with the PA Department of Revenue.
    • Employer Withholding Tax; Local Sales, Use, & Hotel Occupancy Tax; Promoter License; Sales, Use, & Hotel Occupancy Tax License; Transient Vendor Certificate; Unemployment Compensation; Use Tax; Wholesaler Certificate; Workers' Compensation Coverage
    • Can fill out the paper PA 100 form and mail in. 
    • Can complete online through the PA 100. The Online PA-100 is an online fill-in form, and allows users to register an enterprise with the Departments of Labor & Industry and Revenue, but DOES NOT register the enterprise with the Department of State.  It is designed for users who are familiar with the PA-100 process and know the taxes and services for which they need to register
  • Register for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS
    • Apply by EIN Toll-Free Telephone Service (800) 829-4933
    • Apply by mail - Complete SS-4 form
    • Apply online
  • Contact the Internal Revenue Service for information on filing your federal tax schedules.
  • Apply for Sales Tax ID through the Department of Revenue.
  • Apply for contractors registration through Attorney General
  • Register or reserve your federal trademark/servicemark.
  • Register copyrights.
  • Apply for patent if you will be marketing an invention.
  • Order any required notices of your intent to do business in the community by advertising the fictitious name
  • Have business phone or extra residential phone lines installed.
  • Investigate business insurance needs.Get adedquate business insurance or a business rider to a homeowner's policy.
  • Get tax information such as recordkeeping requirements, facts about estimating taxes, forms of organizations, etc.
  • Open a bank account for the business.
  • Have business cards and stationery printed.
  • Purchase equipment and/or supplies.
  • Order inventory, signage, and fixtures.
  • Get an e-mail address.
  • Find a Web hosting company and have your Web site designed and set up. If you want people to take you seriously, you need a professional web presence. Unless you’re a designer, don’t design your own site. Hire someone or use a service like Squarespace.
  • Have sales literature prepared.
  • Call for information about Yellow Pages advertising and establish a presence on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

This checklist is intended to help you start your business. Due to various policy and legislative changes which frequently occur, some of these steps may be modified or may not apply to your business or industry. Please consider that there may also be additional steps required by your business which are not mentioned below. As always, legal counsel is strongly advised.

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