Orlando Web Design Company
Starting a business is often a complex process with specific details that vary by location. As an Orlando Web Design Company with over 16 years of experience in the industry, we have successfully navigated the challenges that come with starting and maintaining a business. Thus, we have decided to share some of the knowledge that our experience has granted us! Keep reading if you are thinking about starting your own Florida business.
7 Steps to start your Florida Business
1. Market research
Plato said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” So, you should start by asking yourself: “does anyone in this area need the products or services I’ll advertise?” . And if(after researching) there’s a positive answer, ask yourself: “are there people already trying to address this need?” and “what are they doing that I could do better?”
Market research will help you answer the questions above, so you can make an educated business plan.
2. Write your business plan
Think of this as the architectural plans for how to structure, run, and grow your new business. At this point, you should usually know what kind of business structure will fit your business. Common options are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies or corporations. Once you have decided on a business model, you can include that information on your business plan, which will also include information on organization, management and financial projections.
3. Choose a name and register your name
At this point, we recommend returning to the information gathered during your market research. This will help you choose a name that is different from those of your competitors but that is also recognizable by your target audience. Consequently, you will have to register your business with the Division of Corporation.
3. Check for required permits or licenses
Depending on the nature of your industry and business you could need a permit or license.Thus, make sure to check with the Department of Business to see if that’s the case.
4. Check if you need a business tax receipts
Depending on your location, you could need a city or/and county tax receipt. We recommend contacting both city and county officials to get the most accurate information. Check out the list below for information on how to apply to a city or business tax receipt in some of Florida’s major cities and counties.
| Cities | City Business Tax Receipt | County Business Tax Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando | City of Orlando | Orange County |
| Miami | City of Miami | Miami Dade |
| Jacksonville | City of Jacksonville | Duval County |
| Fort. Lauderdale | Fort. Lauderdale | Broward County |
| Tampa | City of Tampa | Hillsborough county |
5. Get Federal and tax IDs
Visit the IRS website to ensure your business complies with federal tax regulations. This will allow you get your federal tax ID number, which is necessary if you plan to hire employees and file tax returns.
6. Start building your brand
Contact a Orlando local branding agency so you can start working on a logo. This will be the heart of your branding identity, so it is important to take your time on this. From there, you can start thinking on signage for your store, business cards, letterheads and much more. If you would like to see some examples of innovative logos and brands, make sure to check out our portfolio.
7. Get a website & SEO strategy
Examine your budget and contact an Orlando web design company to get a quote. There are websites for all kinds of budgets, start by looking at our article How Much Does a Website Cost? to get an idea on what to expect. In addition, if you would like your business to start showing up in Google search results, work with an Orlando digital marketing agency to come up with an SEO strategy.
These steps will allow you to get started with your business in the sunshine state. However, if you want to learn more about how to run a successful business in Florida, make sure to follow our blog for future posts on this topic.
Orlando Web Design
If you want to start a business that stays ahead of the competition, contact us to create your logo and corporate identity! We are an Orlando Branding & Web Design company dedicated to helping Central Florida businesses grow and expand.
