How to Start a Business in Georgia

Step 1: Create a business plan

Opportunity abounds in Georgia, but advance planning can improve your chances of profits and success. The first step in creating a successful business is conducting thorough market research. It’s the first step to writing a business plan.

In as little as a few pages, you can examine your business idea, identify how you’ll stand out in the market, understand your target customers, analyze your main competitors, and much more.

Business Location

For example, where will you base your business? Fortune 500 giants like Delta Air Lines, UPS, and Home Depot call Atlanta home, but that doesn’t mean Atlanta is automatically the right fit for your HQ. From Dunwoody to West Atlanta, Smyrna to Woodstock, hundreds of other cities and towns may be perfect for your small business.

Tracking Progress

How will you track your progress? A business working toward success and profits needs to know where it is and where it’s going. In your plan, outline “SMART” goals and metrics that can help you determine your business’s health and direction.

Georgia Small Business Resources

What resources can help? Georgia provides a bounty of business training, funding, assistance, and incentives, including:

• Business Site Selector
• UGA Small Business Development Center
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loans
• Invest Atlanta
• Phoenix Fund
• Tax credits
• Startup Atlanta
• Business Improvement Loan Fund (BILF) Program
• Tax exemptions
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Need help creating a business plan for your Georgia startup? We put together a comprehensive library of articles and guides on business planning.

Step 2: Choose your Georgia business structure

At the outset, one of your biggest decisions will be what business structure to choose, with two of the most popular being a sole proprietorship or LLC.

Sole Proprietorships

In Georgia, sole proprietorships are described as “the simplest, least regulated, and most common form of business organization.” You won’t even have to register your sole proprietorship with the Georgia Secretary of State.

That simplicity has some downsides. In a sole proprietorship, there will be no legal separation between your business and you as an individual. In other words, debt or legal troubles in your sole proprietorship could put personal assets, like your savings or assets, at risk.

LLCs

On the flip side, entities such as corporations and LLCs provide separation between your business and your personal property. To form one, you’ll need to file with the state’s Corporations Division. There will be upfront and annual costs, but talk with a trusted business, financial, or legal advisor about which business entity is the right choice for your startup.

Ready to start your business in Georgia? We can help. Rely on our fast formation services. We’ll work with the state of Georgia to start your company, so you can get back to focusing on running your dream business.

Step 3: Determine startup costs

Georgia may be welcoming to businesses, but your startup still has upfront filing fees and ongoing costs to cover. For example, examine the Georgia Department of Revenue for what business taxes, sales and use taxes, and corporate income/net worth taxes your business may need to pay.

There are also other costs, including:

• Location, such as leasing a storefront or office space, purchasing property, or financing new construction.
• Equipment, like copiers, computers, office supplies, and any other equipment, tools, and/or machinery necessary to fulfill products and services, and keep the business running administratively.
• Internal and external signage.
• Accounting, legal, and payroll.
• Marketing, like a company website, social media marketing, advertising (like print, online, and/or broadcast), postcards, and brochures.
• Transportation.

Also examine what sort of business insurance you may need. Common types of business coverage include commercial auto, general liability protection, and cyber liability.

Curious about “how much it costs to start a business in Georgia?” Look no further. This helpful guide will walk you through business cost calculation and more.

Step 4: Create a business name

What will you name your Georgia business? It’s a crucial decision, but not always a straightforward one.

Business Name Rules

For starters, business names have to be unique. If you start using a name already in use by another company, that could spell legal trouble for you.

Georgia’s Business Name Database

Search Georgia’s database of business names to see if another company already trades under the one you’re interested in. Once you’ve identified an available potential name, Georgia allows you to file a name reservation for 30 days while you complete your setup process.

Consider a DBA Name

An assumed business name, or “doing business as” name (DBA), can also come in handy. Your DBA can be a trade name you do business under, while you can have a different name for your company.

Register Your Domain Name

Once you’ve settled on an available business name, also check to see what domain names you can register for your company’s email and business website. Is social media part of your marketing plan? Now is a good time to see what handles or accounts are available for your company, too.

Step 5: Register your Georgia company, get insurance, and open business bank accounts

Once you know your business’s name, you can tend to the nuts-and-bolts foundational stuff of setting up your company.

Georgia’s First Stop Business Guide can walk you through some of the state and local steps your business may need to follow, such as:

• State regulatory requirements
• Licenses
• Permits
• Zoning
• Workers’ compensation insurance

Business Licenses

Most Georgia companies have to get a business license from their county or city, such as Atlanta’s business license and permit requirements, or those in DeKalb, Cobb, or Franklin counties. Other industries or professions may have to be licensed at the local, state, or federal levels, too.

Need more information about licenses and permits in Georgia? Read all about licenses for different industries and how to apply for them in our Georgia business licenses guide.

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

In addition to the paperwork an LLC or corporation must file to register with the state of Georgia, many businesses are required to get a federal employer identification number (EIN), which is your federal tax ID that you also use to hire employees. Note: If you’re a sole proprietor with no employees, you may be able to use your Social Security number as your tax ID, though many experts recommend obtaining an EIN to help avoid identity theft.

Georgia Taxes

Along with getting a federal employer identification number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — this serves as your tax ID — you can also apply to the Georgia Tax Center for a Georgia State Tax ID number. Note that sole proprietors can use their social security number as their tax ID, though this opens you up to potential identity theft.

Open a Business Bank Account

In addition to your business registrations, protect your business with insurance. You can also open separate business bank accounts, like credit cards and checking, so you can maintain separate business finances and build your company’s credit.

Also, if your company has annual business registration requirements, those are due April 1.

Step 6: Market your business in Georgia

Marketing is how you’ll get your Georgia business in front of customers and persuade them to try your services or products over your competitors.

Social Media

If social media is part of your marketing plan, develop a strategy for posting content and engaging with your customer base on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Also consider posting original, search-engine-optimized articles to your website, or how-to videos to YouTube.

Directories

Another option? Reserve, customize, and optimize your company’s profile in directories such as Yelp or Google My Business. Postcard marketing, word-of-mouth referrals, and online, print, or broadcast advertising can also be effective ways to spread the word about your Georgia business.

Benefits of Opening a Business in Georgia

For years running, publications such as Area Development and Site Selection have named Georgia #1 for business. Georgia gets consistent high marks for its pro-business environment, high credit ratings, favorable tax climate, skilled workforce, and “Cooperative & Responsive State Government.” Georgia even changed its corporate tax rate from 6% to 5.75% in 2019.

The Peach State is home to vibrant cities like Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. You can also visit natural wonders like the Okefenokee Swamp and iconic Stone Mountain. Plus, Amicalola Falls is home to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.

With nearly $6.5 billion in investment during 2020, both cities and rural areas have seen economic growth, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2010 to 2018, around 750,000 private-sector jobs were created in Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development has overseen nearly 3,000 economic development locations statewide.

As the fifth-ranked state for women-owned businesses, Georgia makes additional assistance available for women, minorities, and veterans, too. The state also encourages minors to dream big, with youth resources for kid and teen entrepreneurs. Resources abound for aspiring Georgia small business owners.

Examples of Businesses to Start in Georgia

From tried-and-true industries to the innovations of tomorrow, many businesses can blossom in the Peach State. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Carpentry
• Real estate
• Commercial cleaning
• Non-emergency medical transportation
• Food truck, caterer, and/or restaurant
• Home health care
• Landscaping and lawn care
• Trucking
• Consulting
• Daycare
• Handyman
• Home inspection

Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of the best businesses to start in Georgia.

Business Entities to Start in Georgia

Use our fast formation services to quickly start your business in Georgia. We can help you create, run and grow your business over time. Simply file one of these legal business entity options:

• Georgia Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Georgia Professional Corporation
• Georgia Corporation
• Georgia Nonprofit Corporation

Still unsure what business structure in Georgia is best for you? Feel 100% certain by reading this guide that compares formation types.

Build your business empire in the Empire State of the South

Ready to take your business idea to the next level? Large or small, thousands of employees or just one owner, Georgia is renowned for being good for business.

With the right business plan, an understanding of the resources and financing options available, and a sense of where there’s opportunity in the market, you can be on your way to building a successful, profitable business in Georgia.

Top Kentucky Cities to Form Businesses

Atlanta: Capital and largest city, major commercial and financial hub. Home to numerous corporate headquarters and a strong presence in technology, logistics, and media. Beneficial infrastructure and the world’s busiest airport enhance business connectivity.

Savannah: Key economic driver due to the Port of Savannah, one of the largest in the U.S. Ideal for logistics, manufacturing, and international trade. Growing tourism industry offers additional opportunities in hospitality and retail.

Augusta: Hosts major events like The Masters golf tournament. Strong sectors include healthcare, cybersecurity, and military, especially with the presence of U.S. Army Cyber Command. Emerging hub for cybersecurity businesses.

Alpharetta: Known as the “Technology City of the South.” Hosts a large number of tech firms and startups. Offers sophisticated infrastructure and a highly educated workforce.

Columbus: Strong military presence with Fort Benning. Significant industries include manufacturing and healthcare. Encourages growth in technology and customer service sectors with business incentives.

Each city offers a unique mix of industrial strengths, economic environments, and strategic advantages, making them suitable for a variety of business ventures within Georgia.