📚 StartupDB Starter Guides
Practical primers to help you start and run your business — covering structure, planning, bookkeeping, taxes, and more.
Choosing a Business Structure
Everything you need to know about choosing the right legal structure for your business.
Business Planning 101
A business plan doesn't have to be a 50-page document. Learn the core elements every plan needs, from market research to financial projections, and how to use it as a working roadmap.
Delaware or Wyoming LLC - Is It Worth It?
Delaware and Wyoming are marketed as the best states to form an LLC. Sometimes that's true. Sometimes it isn't. Here's what the benefits are, who they apply to, and when forming out of state just costs you more money for no real advantage.
Ways to Sell
Whether you're selling online, in a store, wholesale to retailers, or direct services: each model has different legal, tax, and operational implications.
Basic Bookkeeping
You don't need an accounting degree to keep your books in order. Learn the fundamentals of tracking income and expenses, the difference between cash and accrual accounting, and which tools make it easy.
Licenses & Permits
Most businesses need at least one license or permit before they can legally operate. This guide walks through the federal, state, and local layers, and links directly to the relevant laws in our database.
Opening a Business Bank Account
One of the first things to do when starting a business - before you take your first payment. Here is what you need to bring, how to choose the right bank, and how to set everything up so your bookkeeping and taxes stay clean from day one.
Taxes 101
Federal, state, payroll, sales tax: the tax obligations of a small business can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what you owe, when you owe it, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Understanding Business Insurance
General liability, professional liability, workers comp, cyber coverage - most new business owners think about insurance after something goes wrong. Here is what the main policy types cover and which ones your business actually needs.
Hiring Your First Employee
Hiring your first employee triggers payroll taxes, workers comp, I-9 verification, state registrations, and more. Here is everything you need to set up before day one so nothing falls through the cracks.
How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner
Owner's draw or salary? The answer depends on your business structure and getting it wrong creates real tax problems. Here is how each method works, what the IRS requires, and how to set a draw amount you can actually sustain.
Contracts 101 for Small Businesses
Most small business disputes come down to something that was never written down. Here is what every basic contract needs, when a template is enough, and when you need an attorney.
Building Business Credit From Scratch
Business credit is a completely separate system from personal credit, with its own bureaus and scores. Here is how to build it from scratch using your EIN, a DUNS number, net-30 vendor accounts, and a business credit card.
Home-Based Business Guide
Most businesses start at home, but operating from a residence comes with zoning rules, permit requirements, insurance gaps, and tax deductions most people do not know about. Here is what to check before you start.
Intellectual Property for Small Business
Trademark, copyright, and patent protect very different things. Here is what each one covers, when registration actually matters, what it costs, and the mistakes that cost business owners their own brand.
Accepting Payments as a Small Business
Stripe, Square, PayPal, chargebacks, PCI compliance, and what it actually costs to accept card payments. Everything a small business needs to start taking payments legally and efficiently.
Ecommerce Compliance for Small Businesses
Privacy policies, terms of service, ADA accessibility, FTC disclosures, and CAN-SPAM rules. Here is what every online business needs to have in place before a problem forces the issue.
How to Sell Your Business
Valuation basics, exit options, asset sale vs stock sale, and the step-by-step process from listing to closing. What you need to know before you sell.
Closing and Dissolving Your Business
Simply stopping operations without formally dissolving your LLC or corporation leaves you exposed to ongoing fees and liability. Here is the correct step-by-step process.
Sales Tax Compliance for Small Business
Economic nexus after Wayfair means online sellers can owe sales tax in dozens of states based on sales volume alone. Here is how to figure out where you have obligations, how to register, and how to stay compliant without it taking over your life.
Franchising Basics: Buying vs. Building
Buying a franchise gives you a proven system and an established brand. Building your own gives you full control and no royalty obligations. Here is what the franchise model actually involves on both sides of the relationship.
Ready to go deeper?
Browse the actual laws and regulations that apply to your business.