Setting up your company can feel daunting. Many entrepreneurs find themselves overwhelmed in this phase, and spend lots of time getting hung up on details that won’t move the needle. We’ve done our research to help you make this a smooth process. Instead of weeks, you’ll start your company in a matter of hours. This way, you’ll get back to focusing on what you love.
The key steps here in starting the company include:
Formation of the LLC and Establishing an Entity
Buying a Domain
Creating a Logo
Making a Website
Looking Legit Through Social Media
Setting up an Appointments Tool
Creating a Business Bank Account
Setting up a Bank in the U.S.
Formation of the LLC and Establishing an Entity
For this step, we suggest using Stripe Atlas to register your LLC. The $500 fee is a great investment, considering you get access to expert advice, a wide startup network, and perks worth tens of thousands of dollars. To see all the benefits of Stripe Atlas and our top tool recommendations, please check the Tools & Software Recommendations module.
Regardless of which option you end up choosing, all of them are great. Pick one that fits your budget.
Buying a Domain
Preferred Registrar: Our top choice for domain registration is GoDaddy. However, you're welcome to choose from other reputable providers based on your preferences:
For a streamlined design and hosting solution, consider Squarespace Domains (Google Domains is now part of Squarespace Domains)
For competitive pricing and offers, NameCheap is a great option, especially if you're using Mercury.com as your banking service.
Network Solutions offers a wide range of domain services for those looking for long-standing expertise.
Steps to Register on GoDaddy:
Visit GoDaddy.com and sign up for an account. If you already have one, simply log in.
Use the search bar to find a suitable name for your business (e.g., NextSLAMagency.com) and check its availability.
If the domain is available, it will display the pricing, typically offering a discount for the first year. Consider your budget and the duration for which you wish to register the domain.
GoDaddy will present various bundle options, including email setup. We suggest reviewing these but prefer setting up email services separately for greater control.
Setting Up Your Professional Email
While your domain registrar might offer email services, we recommend establishing your professional email independently to maintain flexibility and ease of management over time.
Options for Professional Email:
Google Workspace: Our preferred choice at Slam, offering a comprehensive suite of productivity tools along with email hosting. Ideal for businesses already utilizing Google services.
Microsoft 365: Best suited for those who rely on Microsoft Office and Windows ecosystems. It offers a seamless integration with Office tools.
Additional Tips:
Domain Protection: Regardless of the registrar, opt for domain protection services to avoid spam and secure your privacy. It's a small investment for significant peace of mind.
Consider Other Platforms: If GoDaddy doesn't meet your needs, platforms like Squarespace and NameCheap also provide domain registration services, with Squarespace offering an integrated solution for those using its site-building services.
Creating a Logo
Creating a visually appealing logo is crucial for your brand identity, especially as you start your business. However, if you're a designer or already have a logo and brand established, feel free to skip this step and proceed to the next stages of building your business.
For Non-Designers: No design background? No problem. Canva offers a plethora of templates to help you craft a beautiful logo, color palette, and select fonts to embody your brand’s essence.
Steps to Create Your Logo on Canva
Sign Up or Log In: Visit Canva and create an account or log in if you already have one.
Navigate to Templates: On the homepage, look for the "Templates" section, then select "Logos" to explore the available options.
Choose Your Style: Filter through the templates to find one that suits your brand's aesthetic. For instance, if you're aiming for a minimalistic look, refine your search to those designs.
Customize Your Template: Click on a template to start customizing. You can change the name to your business's name, adjust the layout to fit your taste, and modify the color scheme if desired.
Select Fonts Carefully: Pay attention to the font choice, as it significantly impacts your logo's readability and brand perception. Note down the font name for consistency in your brand's future designs.
Export Your Logo: Once satisfied, export your design. Canva allows you to download in various formats, including PNG and JPEG.
Important Logo Design Tips
Opt for SVG Format: For a logo that scales well across different mediums without losing quality, download your file as an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). SVGs are crucial for maintaining the graphic's quality on websites and other digital platforms.
Canva's Premium Features: Accessing SVG format and other advanced features may require a Canva Pro account. Consider using Canva's free trial to download your logo in SVG format, and you can cancel the subscription afterward if you don't need the premium features long-term.
Making a Website
For Web Designers and Developers: If you're already versed in web design or development, you might not find this video necessary. Feel free to skip ahead.
Choosing a Platform: For those new to website creation, we recommend starting with user-friendly platforms that can help you launch your site quickly and efficiently. Reminder — your first website doesn’t have to be perfect! Your site should grow and evolve alongside your agency.
Consider one of the following based on your needs and preferences:
For Established Brands: If your social media presence is already strong, you may adjust or skip this step as needed.
Why Social Media Matters: Your potential clients will search for your brand across social platforms to gauge your presence and the work you've accomplished. Make sure you look ready and profesh!
Quick Setup Guide:
Select Key Platforms: Focus on where your audience is—LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok.
Uniform Branding: Use consistent logos, descriptions, and visuals across all platforms. Tools like Canva can help create matching profiles and cover photos.
Facebook Optimization: Create a business page, fill in your details, add a logo, and include a direct call-to-action linking to your website. Invite connections to like your page and post introductory content about your services.
Pro Tip:
Consider Ads for Likes: Running targeted ads on platforms like Facebook can quickly enhance your page's perceived credibility. A strategic approach may involve targeting regions with lower ad costs for initial engagement boosts. We’ll show you how.
Setting up an Appointments Tool
With your website, logo, and domain ready, the next step is to streamline your booking process with a scheduling platform. This allows clients to book appointments easily without manual intervention. While Squarespace offers a built-in scheduling tool, other recommended platforms include:
Notion Calendar — Both a calendar app that syncs with Notion and an appointment scheduler
Setting Up on Calendly
Create an Account: Sign up on Calendly and link it to your email.
Connect Your Calendar: This step ensures the platform knows your availability by syncing with your personal or business calendar.
Customize Availability: Choose the days you're open for meetings. You can start with full availability and adjust as your schedule changes.
Set Appointment Types: Calendly’s free plan allows one type of meeting duration. Decide whether you prefer 30-minute slots or another length.
Sharing Your Link: Calendly provides various sharing options, including direct links, email integration, and embed codes for your website. Choose the method that best fits your communication style and website design.
Key Considerations
(IMPORTANT) Ensure the scheduling tool reflects your brand and integrates smoothly with your website for a cohesive user experience.
The choice of scheduling software should balance flexibility, ease of use, and integration with your existing tools and workflows.
Creating a Business Bank Account
When it's time to manage your earnings and money, selecting the right bank is an imporant step. While traditional banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo are options, they often involve a cumbersome and time-consuming process for startups and small businesses like agencies.
Why Not Traditional Banks?
In-Person Hassles: Traditional banks typically require in-person visits for many services, from opening an account to managing it.
Fees: They can have various hidden fees for transactions, wire transfers, and maintenance.
Less Flexibility: Traditional banks might not offer the digital-first solutions that modern businesses need, making daily financial operations less efficient.
Digital-First Approach: Mercury stands out for its online-focused services, allowing you to handle wire transfers, check sending, and card management without extra fees—all from the comfort of your digital device.
Integration with Stripe Atlas: For those registered through Stripe Atlas, Mercury offers seamless integration and a bonus for new account deposits.
Startup-Friendly Features: With features tailored to startups, such as creating debit and credit cards for your team easily and no hidden fees, Mercury caters specifically to the needs of new businesses.
Safety and Security: Funds are FDIC insured, ensuring that your money is safe.
Payment Processor
Efficiently managing payments and invoices is crucial for maintaining cash flow and presenting your business professionally. Stripe and QuickBooks are powerful tools that streamline this process, from setting up subscriptions to processing payments. They both allow people to pay you through credit card, ACH, while sending and managing invoices all in one platform. If you’re offering a subscription, Stripe is definitely the way to go. But if you’re just managing retainers and regular invoices, consider going manual or using something simpler like Quickbooks.
Avoiding Fees with Manual Invoices
For businesses looking to avoid transaction fees associated with platforms like Stripe or QuickBooks, utilizing a customizable invoice template can be a cost-effective solution. Slam offers a downloadable invoice template that you can tailor to fit your branding and specific billing needs. All you have to do is swap the name, logo, address, and payment information.
0 Comments