| Are you contemplating starting a business in | | | | knows that the flow of customers into their store is |
| California? This is a guide to setting up a business in | | | | the lifeblood of their business. But not all business |
| the sunny paradise of California.California is a fantastic | | | | owners know where and how to advertise their |
| place to start a business, with several enormous | | | | services. Here are a few ideas:OfflineSet up business |
| cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. | | | | in a high traffic areaBe sure your signage on the |
| The population and diversity of the state is enough | | | | front of your business makes you easy to see. It |
| to begin just about any business you could imagine, | | | | should be big enough to be easily read from the |
| and thrive.Here are a few things you should consider | | | | road, and bright enough to stand out from those |
| when starting your California business: | | | | around it.Your signage should make it immediately |
| Where in the city is your market demographic?The | | | | clear, to someone driving by with only a second to |
| cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego | | | | glance at it, exactly what your business does.Yellow |
| are enormous, with many different pockets of | | | | pagesBillboardsBus benchesPoster boardsHand out |
| demographics. Even the smaller communities in | | | | flyersHost groups and clubs at your businessAttend |
| California like Sacramento, Stockton, Bakersfield and | | | | local business networking functionsLocal newspapers |
| Palm Springs are large communities by any other | | | | like the la times ( Angeles Citysearch ( Francisco |
| state standard. You may want to research in what | | | | Citysearch ( Angeles Craigslist ( Francisco Craigslist ( |
| location of the city your particular business would be | | | | can find a version of the above web sites for almost |
| best suited. | | | | any of the larger cities in California by putting the city |
| What does business space cost in your desired | | | | name at the front of the url.PPC ads on Google ( or |
| location?Different parts of the city will have wildly | | | | Yahoo ( ads can be targeted to a very localized area. |
| varied monthly lease costs. For example, in Los | | | | You can ensure that only people surfing the internet |
| Angeles, Melrose Avenue or Downtown LA will have | | | | in the Los Angeles area (for example) will see your |
| much higher rates than Culver City or North | | | | ads. They will appear only when they're actually |
| Hollywood would. | | | | looking for your product, or reading something similar |
| What kind of business entity should you form?Learn | | | | to what you offer. |
| how to set up a California Incorporation ( about | | | | Stay current on your California Tax Laws.One thing |
| places to form a DBA, or "Doing Business As". | | | | that can ruin a new business quickly is falling behind |
| Get a Federal EIN numberYou can file for an EIN as | | | | on taxes. Make sure you don't make that mistake! |
| soon as you get your EIN from the IRS ( or you can | | | | Make a solid effort to understand what you need to |
| have your incorporator get it when you file your | | | | know about California taxes - talk to your accountant |
| incorporation. | | | | about it! |
| Get a business licenseGet a Los Angeles business | | | | Set up a web siteCustomers expect to be able to |
| license ( in Google for the term "(city name) business | | | | find you on the Internet.Without a web site, you |
| license" and you will be presented with results for | | | | take away a potentially lucrative advertising avenue |
| your particular city. | | | | (see the Internet advertising tips above).Many places |
| Set up a bank accountYou need your EIN and | | | | like Yahoo ( make it easy to setup your own |
| Incorporation (or DBA) paperwork before you can | | | | website, with your own domain name.Find a domain |
| open a bank account and deposit checks made out in | | | | name. I always use GoDaddy ( to register my domain |
| your company's name. Once you have this | | | | names. I've found that DomainsBot ( is a great tool |
| paperwork, it's a fairly easy process. You just walk | | | | to find a cool domain name. Once you find it with |
| into your local branch, and they should help you get | | | | DomainsBot, you can register it with GoDaddy. |
| set up. The only bank I don't recommend is | | | | They say that 9 out of 10 businesses fail within the |
| Washington Mutual, who wanted original copies of | | | | first 5 years. Most businesses are not financially or |
| paperwork that the state of California had kept. I | | | | legally ready to succeed. If you follow the simple |
| had the certified copies from the state of California, | | | | steps in this article, you'll be better prepared to run a |
| but Wamu would only accept the originals. I've had | | | | long-term and profitable business. Los Angeles is |
| better luck with California National Bank, they have | | | | ready for you - you need to be ready to handle Los |
| very good customer service. | | | | Angeles!Oh yeah, and have fun!Travis Giggy is a |
| Find an accountantLack of bookkeeping is one of | | | | business specialist and one of the Founders of A |
| the top reasons new businesses fail. As the owner of | | | | website dedicated to reviewing and listing the best |
| the business, you'll be very business running your | | | | services that provide online legal services like |
| operations, and the books will fall behind. Be sure to | | | | incorporation, forming an LLC, getting your last will |
| set up your books, and hire a good accountant at | | | | and testament, or getting a divorce. See our special |
| the outset so that this doesn't become a problem. | | | | California Incorporation portal here. |
| Find advertising spaceAny good business owner | | | | |