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