Running a Web Design Business: Defining Your Business Structure

Learn which business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC) is right for you. Learn how it impacts licensing and permitting, taxes, and record keeping.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Disclaimer

1. Overview of Business Structures

• Understanding your business-structure options
• Sole proprietorship: Advantages and disadvantages
• Partnerships: Advantages and disadvantages
• C corporation: Advantages and disadvantages
• S corporation: Advantages and disadvantages
• LLC: Advantages and disadvantages
• Choosing your business structure using five key questions

2. Sample Businesses

• Introducing Amy's web design business
• Amy's web design business as a sole proprietorship
• Amy's web design business as an LLC

3. Forming a Sole Proprietorship

• Getting started with business names and fictitious business names
• Obtaining local licenses and permits
• Applying for a city business tax receipt
• Applying for a county business tax receipt
• Opening a business bank account
• Understanding state tax obligations
• Understanding federal tax obligations

4. Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

• Getting started with a name for your LLC
• Filing the Articles of Organization
• Creating an operating agreement
• Obtaining local licenses or permits
• Applying for a city business tax receipt
• Applying for a county business tax receipt
• Understanding tax election for LLCs
• Applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Opening a business bank account
• Understanding state tax obligations
• Understanding federal tax obligations

Conclusion

• Next steps: Finding professional support