Best Businesses to Start in Delaware

Delaware is a popular state to run a business. Small businesses make up 98.3% of the state’s total businesses, while many international companies use the First State as their U.S. base. Some advantages to starting a business in Delaware are the tax benefits, liability and asset protection, low cost of doing business, and business-friendly laws. 

Now, you might be wondering, what are good businesses to start in Delaware? Although you may have a great business idea, you need Delaware consumers to think it’s great too. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best business ideas in Delaware. 

So what is the best business to start in Delaware? Let’s look at some options. 

The Most Profitable Small Business Ideas in Delaware

Although Delaware’s a small state, it provides lucrative business opportunities for serious entrepreneurs. Here is a list of small business ideas that can help you launch a successful business in Delaware. 

Idea #1: Retail 

Why do people shop in Delaware? One reason is tax-free shopping. Running your own retail store may be the best business to start in Delaware. If seeing your products on a shelf is exhilarating, then Delaware is a great place to launch your merchandise. For those who don’t want to take on quite as much risk, consider starting a consignment shop. There’s even the option of running an online retail store, which can be done from home.

Idea #2: Agribusiness

Known for its agricultural industry, Delaware is the perfect state to host an agribusiness. This can be anything from selling firewood to starting a floral business. Depending on your company, you could make it even more profitable by turning your business into a tourist or educational attraction. Delaware strongly supports the use of land by offering grants and loans to agribusiness owners. 

Idea #3: Online Business Services 

Plenty of companies need help navigating the evolving tech world. Get into the business of helping other businesses have an online presence. The demand for quality digital marketing is at an all-time high. Some companies need help selling products online. Starting an online business service is a great home-based business idea since all of your work can be done online. 

Idea #4: Educational Services 

Delaware produces a skilled and educated workforce. With an impressive public school system and a top-ranked university, The University of Delaware, there’s a need for educational services. Think tutoring, test-prep, resume review, and other support services that are helpful for students. 

Idea #5: Travel and Hospitality

Delaware attracts plenty of tourists for you to capitalize on with travel or hospitality-focused businesses. Between the Delaware beaches, state parks, museums, and renowned music festivals, there’s certainly a need for services that cater to tourists. Consider services like pet sitting, short-term housing rentals, transportation, photography/videography, or childcare. 

Idea #6: Professional Services

With all of the small businesses in Delaware, there’s plenty of need for accounting, legal, and financial services. If you have a professional license, consider setting up your own consulting firm.

Idea #7: Food Processing 

A food processing business in a state with a large agricultural industry may be a profitable enterprise. With access to plenty of raw materials, you may be able to get what you need for a cheaper price than if you were in another state. Some examples of food processing businesses include making your own sauces, jellies, nut butter, and wine. Running a bakery also qualifies as a food processing business.  

Why These Are the Best Small Businesses to Start in Delaware

The ideas listed above are good businesses to start in Delaware because:

• The consumer demand is there
• Most of the business ideas can be run from your home
• Delaware supports those types of businesses

On top of these factors, what will make your business successful is your drive. You don’t need to know every detail about how your business will operate and grow. That will come as you educate yourself and use services like ours to help you research your market and build your brand. 

Best Cities in Delaware for Starting a Business

It’s important to your business’s success to choose the right city. Some of the best places in Delaware to establish your business are Wilmington, Dover, and Newark. These are the state’s biggest cities, but don’t overlook smaller communities, especially since so many businesses are internet-based these days. 

Keep in mind that each city has unique requirements for businesses, so do plenty of research before establishing your business in a particular place. 

Why Form Your Business with Us?

Running your own company is a full commitment of time, money, and effort. We want to help you pursue your dream as a business owner and start your business today. Whether you’re still trying to narrow down your business idea or need help comparing different business structures, we’ve got the tools and resources to help.

With our Delaware Limited Liability Company (LLC) Formation Service and Delaware Corporation Formation Service, we can formalize your business when you’re ready. We also offer a Worry-Free Compliance Service that can help keep your company in good standing with the state. 

We want to see your business thrive. Our products and services are geared toward helping small business owners get up and running and continue to grow. We provide plenty of educational resources so you can find accurate answers to your questions. From filing formation paperwork with the state to writing a business plan, our experts are available to help you with a range of business needs. Let us handle the administrative side of things so you can spend your time carrying out your dream business.