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Young startup coffee cafe owner open and welcome customer. New small business owener.

Starting a new business

Thinking of starting up a new business? BBB can help with everything from how to get funding, to creating a business plan, to paying your taxes.

Is your business listed on BBB.org? If not, learn how to Get Listed!

Getting started

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Decide what type of business to create

LLC? S-Corp? Sole Proprietorship? 
New: U.S. Corporate Transparency Act and BOI filing

Startup costs black letters on faded blue business background
Project costs and secure funding

Start-up costs to consider as a new business owner.

The Market black letters on faded blue business background
Research your market

Learn how to do a competitor analysis.

Taxes black letters on faded blue business background
What to know about taxes (U.S.)

What taxes you should pay? When are they due? 

Canadian version of this article.

Insurance black letters faded blue business background
Pick the right insurance policy

Business insurance protects you financially and legally. 

How to write a business plan
How to write a business plan

How do you write a business plan? And what components will help ensure your business is successful?

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Prepare to get BBB Accredited at 6 months

Learn what you need to be doing now.

Get ready

The first 6 months

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Financial forecasting

How to build the best budget for your small business

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Build your network

8 tips for building stronger industry relationships

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The power of customer reviews

You want to be able to tell customers that your business is trustworthy and transparent..

Online Taxes And Invoice Using Computer
Financial records small businesses should keep

When money is tight, there’s little room for error, which makes financial record-keeping critical.

Work for us, we're hiring!
Interview questions to help your hiring decisions

Hiring those first few employees is a big step for new business owners.

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5 elements that make a good company culture

Successfully attracting and then keeping talent helps your company continue to flourish.

At 6 months and beyond

MacBook Air on a wooden desk, BBB Get Accredited page on screen
It's time to get BBB Accredited!

You've been in business for 6 months! Find out what you need to do next to Get Accredited.

What to do at 6 months
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Why BBB Accreditation matters to your business

Why should you become BBB Accredited? Why does it matter? Find out!

Why be BBB Accredited?
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So you're BBB Accredited! Now what?

Your BBB Accreditation tells the community you’re a newly minted champion of trust, so what’s your first move? What to do once you're BBB Accredited.

After you're BBB Accredited

Marketing your new business

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Quick tips for writing engaging social media posts
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How to build a website customers will trust

Marketing and advertising help from BBB

BBB helps your business keep growing

Get Listed on BBB.org

Want to be found by some of our 140 million website visitors each year?

Get Accredited Today!

Your business can display the BBB Seal as proof of your high standards.

BBB Accreditation Standards

These Accreditation Standards are based on what BBB identifies as a better business. Do you qualify as an Accredited Business? If so, Get Accredited.

Dispute Resolution

Many BBBs offer dispute resolution as an alternative to going to court.

You and your organization

Here are tips on how to grow your team and build your business.

You and your customers

Learn how to increase customer confidence with accreditation and how to manage complaints and reviews.

You and your marketplace

Read articles on sales and marketing.

You and your technology

Learn how social media can help grow your revenue, using hashtags, writing copy to convert website visitors, using your blog to win more customers, and more!