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How do I Incorporate a Business Online?

Harriette Halepis
Harriette Halepis

Incorporating a business on the Internet is easier than it may seem. The first step towards incorporating your business is to visit your state's official website. If you live in Canada, you will have to visit your province's website in order to find this information. If you reside in Europe or elsewhere, visit your government's website for similar information.

Once you have found the appropriate website, search for incorporation information. You should be able to find a section of a website that pertains specifically to online incorporation. The next step to incorporate a business online is to find out if the name of your proposed business has already been claimed. In most instances, you can conduct this basic search through a state, government, or provincial website. If the name of your company already exists, you will have to alter the name that you have chosen. If a company by the same name does not exist, you can proceed with learning how to incorporate a business online.

Businessman giving a thumbs-up
Businessman giving a thumbs-up

Following this step, you will need to appoint three people to high-ranking positions within your company. Every business within the United States needs a president, registered agent, and vice president. These official positions may differ according to your place of residence. In most instances, you will be required to provide the names of these people when you fill out incorporation forms. Some forms may also require you to list any available shares in your company. You may want to consider how many shares you are willing to offer before you incorporate a business online.

Next, you will be faced with two options. The first option is to seek out an online service that will incorporate your business online for you. These services are generally expensive, though you will not have to fill out any paperwork on your own. If you do not want to pay these fees, you can generally create your own paperwork and pay for your own online incorporation through a government, state, or provincial site.

The main difference between the two options presented above is price. If you do not have the time to fill out paperwork properly, or you are not sure how to file this kind of paperwork, it may be best to seek the help of a professional. If you feel that you can incorporate a business online efficiently, you can avoid any additional fees that an incorporation service may charge. This decision is largely up to you. Once your paperwork has been submitted and approved, and you have paid any fees necessary, you will understand how to incorporate a business online successfully.

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