How-to Guide
How to Start a Business Online: A Plain-English Checklist
The order of operations for getting a small business set up properly.
By the OneStopShop Editors · Updated October 2026
1. Choose a structure
Sole proprietorship, LLC or corporation — the right one depends on liability, taxes and whether you'll raise money.
LegalZoom
Incorporation · Formation & Legal
Online LLC and corporation formation plus trademarks and legal documents (US).
Our take: A long-running one-stop option for forming an LLC and handling basic legal paperwork.
Stripe Atlas
Incorporation · Formation & Legal
Form a US company online, aimed at startups including founders outside the US.
Our take: A streamlined path to a Delaware company if you plan to raise money.
2. Get a tax ID and bank account
In the US you'll usually need an EIN from the IRS before opening a business account.
Mercury
Business banking · Banking & Payments
Online business banking built for startups and small companies (US).
Our take: A clean, modern business account that many new founders open first.
Relay
Business banking · Banking & Payments
Small-business banking with multiple accounts for organizing cash (US).
Our take: Handy if you like splitting money into separate accounts for taxes, payroll and profit.
3. Set up accounting
Pick software now; it's much harder to clean up a year of receipts later.
QuickBooks Online
Accounting · Accounting & Payroll
Intuit's widely used small-business accounting software.
Our take: The industry standard — most accountants already know it.
Wave
Accounting · Accounting & Payroll
Accounting and invoicing for freelancers and very small businesses.
Our take: The budget pick for when you just need clean books and invoices.
4. Get online
Claim your domain and put up a simple site.
Cloudflare
Infrastructure · Websites & Hosting
DNS, security, performance and domain registration for websites.
Our take: Free DNS and protection that makes almost any site faster and safer.
Squarespace
Site builders · Websites & Hosting
Polished website templates, domains and simple online selling.
Our take: Good-looking results without hiring a designer.
Editorial picks are chosen independently. How we make money.