Nine Steps to Forming a New Business in Georgia
Starting a Business in Georgia? Here’s Everything You Need to When Registering Your Business in the Peach State.
Georgia, the gem of the south, offers a rich cultural landscape for visitors and residents alike. The state offers urban hubs Atlanta and Savannah, college towns such as Athens, and coastal escapes such as Jekyll Island. The diverse landscape offers the perfect homebase for all kinds of businesses. No matter where you form your business, we have the resources to register a business in the great state of Georgia. So if you’re interested in forming a business in Georgia, read on for our clear and simple Nine Step Guide to Starting a Business in Georgia. Want to skip the required reading and get a faster start? Reach out to one of our PRIME advisors for a free consultation!
Forming a Business in Georgia: Nine Easy Steps
When it comes to helping you register a new company, Georgia is ready to help. Their First Stop Business Guide is a comprehensive, state-specific guide for forming your business. The First Stop Business Guide is a terrific place to learn about registering a new business in Georgia. However, to speed up the process, we have narrowed down the main points into a simple nine-step plan.
- Plan your business concept
- Organize funding and designate a financial model
- Designate a business structure
- Register your business entity with the state
- Set up business accounts and cards
- Obtain insurance
- Organize licenses and permits
- Hire employees
- Promote and market your Georgia business
Step 1: Plan Your Georgia Business Concept
The first step in the creation of a new entity is to write a thorough business plan. This process encourages the owners to consider a strategy for setting the business apart from other Georgia entities. Some important factors to consider are the purpose, value proposition, and how to model your finances. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)’s site is a great resource for concept modeling. Another option is to schedule a consultation with a PRIME advisor for personalized help setting up your business in Georgia. You must choose a name when creating a business entity. You can check to see if your desired name is available through the Georgia Corporations Division Business Search. Additionally, you should complete a Google search to make sure your desired name does not get confused with another business. Other important factors to consider before starting a business are finding a location and conducting market research. It is important to do research on these topics to make sure you are optimizing foot traffic physically and online. Some good research options are conducting surveys and doing SEO research. *Note—although the business name is important, it’s ok to pick a name now and decide later that you want to expand to new markets or do business under another name. In that case, you will simply file for a DBA, which allows you to legally operate your business under multiple names. You can check out this article for more information about DBAs, or schedule a consultation with a PRIME advisor for more information.
Step 2: Organize Funding and Designate a Financial Model For Your Georgia Business
Business entities can not become a reality without proper and sustainable funding. To account for all of the potential costs, you will need to choose a reliable funding source. The best way to move forward in this process is to create a detailed financial plan. Will the savings come from your current job? Will you use outside funding? Will you apply for a loan from your local bank or through the SBA (Small Business Administration)? No matter what route you take, PRIME advisors always recommend establishing business credit and keeping your business and personal funds separate when possible. To help our clients with that goal, we’ve developed a unique business credit program designed to help you build an attractive financial profile for your business quickly and efficiently. Two Funding Options:
- Small business grants: These are funds you are not expected to pay back down the line. The application process should work through an official grantor.
- Small business loans: These are funds you are expected to pay back, often provided by a bank or lending institution.
Forming a Business in Georgia Step 3: Designate a Business Structure
There are many advantages to registering your business as a legal entity with the state of Georgia. Two of these advantages include personal liability protection and increased credibility in the marketplace. Some options for registering your business structure in Georgia include as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC, or a corporation. These different setups come with various costs and filing requirements, so it is important to do some research. If you’ve spent any time exploring the information on our site or had a free consultation with a PRIME advisor, you know we normally recommend registering as an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation). This option provides individuals asset protection by creating a separate legal entity. To file an LLC in Georgia, the cost is only $100 online or $110 by mail. Sole proprietorship requires an individual to be an employee of the business, accepting all the risk and rewards of the business. Partnerships encourage the same structure, except the responsibility is split between two people. Finally, corporations are another option but require more intensive reporting requirements. If you know you want to use the LLC structure for your Georgia business, check out our Georgia LLC guide here. If you have questions about which business entity structure is right for your Georgia start-up, reach out to one of our advisors for a free consultation!
Step 4: Register Your Business Entity with the State of Georgia
No matter what business structure you choose, following these basic steps to register your business in Georgia will set you up for success:
- Choose a registered agent: A registered agent is an individual or entity that is designated to accept legal and tax documents on behalf of your business.
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN): The IRS will assign an EIN to identify your business for tax purposes.
- File formation documents: The required formation documents, and the associated fees, will be determined by the business structure you choose.
Reach out to a PRIME advisor and let us handle the entire process for you! Our experts know all the nuances and regulations involved in setting up businesses in Georgia, and we can make the entire process fast and painless.
Step 5: Set Up Business Accounts and Cards
To protect your personal assets, PRIME advisors always recommend establishing business credit. To help our clients with that goal, we’ve developed a unique business credit program designed to help you build an attractive financial profile for your business quickly and efficiently. Regardless of the path you choose to fund your entity, there are three basic steps that all new business owners should take to optimize their financial future:
- Open a business bank account: Protect your personal assets by separating them from your company’s assets. This will also make accounting and tax filing easier and more straightforward.
- Obtain a business credit card: Build credit and access funds by opening a business credit card. This step will help you separate personal and business expenses and build your company’s credit history.
- Set up business accounting: You can use business accounting software such as QuickBooks to help you handle the books yourself, or you can hire an expert to keep things simple and clean. Whether you use specialized software or hire a business accountant, having a dedicated process makes annual tax filings much easier and helps you track the performance of your business. Looking for an expert? PRIME has an experienced staff of CPAs who specialize in helping businesses in Georgia and around the country keep more of their earnings through smart tax planning and strategies.
Forming a Business in Georgia Step 6: Obtain Insurance
To protect your assets, business insurance helps you keep your risk under control and in the background. Georgia residents must follow the insurance regulations set by the Georgia State Department of Labor. Types of insurance include general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and professional liability insurance. A general liability policy is the most common. It is important to note that Georgia businesses with 1+ employees are mandated by law to have workers’ compensation insurance.
Step 7: Organize Licenses and Permits
To move forward with the legal entity process, you must comply with the federal, state, and local mandates. Oftentimes, this requires obtaining specific permits and licensing.
Depending on the type of business you are running, you will need to conduct a business license search. Some resources to use include the US Small Business Administration (SBA) guide and the Georgia Secretary of State website.
Forming a Business in Georgia Step 8: Hire Employees
To create a successful business, you must curate a strong team. To ensure you meet Georgia’s hiring requirements, you must ensure you are legally registered with the IRS to manage hiring reporting and employee taxes. To attract qualified candidates, think about the hiring benefits on behalf of the employees. What kind of compensation and benefits will you offer? How will you find candidates? Make sure you follow all of the relevant federal and state employer requirements.
Step 9: Promote and Market Your Georgia Business
Here are a few factors to consider when promoting and creating marketing material for your Georgia business. Brand Development: Before advertising, you should be clear on the core values, purpose, and customer return for your company’s products and/or services. Marketing: Tell the world about your new Georgia business with a great website and attractive branding and signage. Don’t forget the power of good old fashioned word of mouth and excellent online reviews. Google My Business is a great tool to help generate online reviews and bring traffic to your business. Social Media: There are many social media platforms which allow your business to reach its potential audience. Some of the most important include Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Take advantage of the large library of information and resources on our blog, or jump on a call with one of our advisors for a free consultation. We’ll help you bring your business to life and stay with you as your business grows, offering comprehensive tax and planning services.
Registering a Business in Georgia: FAQs
How much does it cost to start a business in Georgia
Registering an LLC or a Limited Partnership in the state of Georgia costs $100. Additionally, the cost for the Georgia Annual Registration Fee is $50. The cost to incorporate a business in Georgia is $50 for profit and professional corporations and $30 for nonprofits. The fees for sole proprietorships and general partnerships depend on the county, but generally run about $160 in the Georgia area.
What Type of Business Insurance Should I Get?
Types of insurance include general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and professional liability insurance. A general liability policy is the most common. It is important to note that Georgia businesses with 1+ employees are mandated by law to have workers’ compensation insurance.
What is a “Doing Business As” Name?
A DBA or trade name is a certificate which allows a business to run under a different name than its registered name. This is used primarily for branding purposes, and it doesn’t provide liability protection. This certificate must be filed in the county in which the business is located.
Where Can I File the Certificate for a “Doing Business As” Form?
You can find instructions for filing and the certificate form here on the Georgia State website.