What order should I set up my business in?

The safest order is to make the big identity decisions first, then file only what depends on those decisions. In most cases, that means you choose your business idea, location, name, and legal structure before you get an EIN, open a bank account, or apply for tax accounts. Licenses, insurance, bookkeeping, and sales setup can happen after that, but some businesses need licenses or insurance before taking their first customer. The exact order depends on your state, industry, whether you sell online or locally, and how much risk your business has.

Steps

1. Define what you are actually starting
   Write down what you sell, where you operate, whether you sell online or in person, and whether you will work alone.

2. Choose your business name
   Check whether the name is available where you plan to operate. Also think about your website, social handles, and whether you need a DBA.

3. Choose your legal structure
   Decide whether you are starting as a sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, or another structure. This choice affects the next steps.

4. Form the entity, if you are forming one now
   If you choose an LLC or corporation, file with the state before using that entity for banking, contracts, or tax accounts.

5. Get an EIN if you need one
   Many LLCs, corporations, employers, and business bank accounts need an EIN. Sole proprietors without employees may not always need one, but banks may still ask.

6. Open a business bank account
   Once your entity and EIN are ready, open a separate account so business money does not mix with personal money.

7. Set up bookkeeping and tax tracking
   Track income, expenses, receipts, and tax savings from the beginning, even before you earn much.

8. Check licenses, permits, and state tax registrations
   Do this before selling if your business is regulated, local, physical, food-related, professional, or sales-taxable.

9. Get insurance before meaningful risk starts
   Insurance matters most before you sign contracts, visit client sites, sell physical products, hire help, or open to the public.

10. Then launch your sales channels
    Set up your website, payment tools, invoices, contracts, and customer process.

If you are still stuck

If the generic checklists do not match your situation, use your Stratify roadmap. It sorts the steps around your business type, state, timeline, and budget. You can also ask the AI coach, “What should I do next based on where I am now?”