Business Name, Location & Licenses

You'll want to cover some basics before you get too far along on your new business venture. Find out why your business name is so important and what you need to do to register your name. Also, learn how to find the best location for your business and what it takes to negotiate a favorable lease. And don't open your doors for business until you have made sure you have all the licenses you need to operate legally.

Nolo has books, forms, and online applications to help you create and run a successful business. For a complete list of Nolo's small business products, see the Small Business Products page.

From insurance to accounting to taxes, learn what you need to do to start a business.

Different rules apply for corporations, LLCs, sole proprietors, and partnerships. Find out if you need an EIN and how to get one.

Using your home address for your business is free, but doing so has its drawbacks.

See more articles

Find out how to choose the best name for your business and answers to common questions that come up.

Learn about local and state laws that govern when you must register a fictitious (or assumed) business name.

Find answers to common questions about domain names and trademark issues.

Here are some of the most common clauses for commercial leases.

Save money by knowing where landlords are willing to make concessions.

Make sure you know about state license, permit, tax registration, and other requirements applicable to small businesses.

See more articles

Don't miss out on this valuable tax deduction.

As a home business owner, make sure you know city and county zoning laws applicable to your business.

See more articles

Find out how to choose the best name for your business and answers to common questions that come up.

Learn about local and state laws that govern when you must register a fictitious (or assumed) business name.

Find answers to common questions about domain names and trademark issues.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Manage the legal and tax affairs of your LLC with this set of books. Form and operate your LLC with Nolo's LLC Handbook. Understand LLC taxation with Tax Saavy for Small Business.
Use this pair of Nolo’s bestselling business books to answer your routine legal questions and guide you in filling out the forms, documents, and contracts needed to run your day-to-day operations.
Our form provides everything you need to establish the internal rules of your limited liability company.
Building Your Business is Expensive. Launching Your LLC Shouldn't Be.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.

Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

Need a Lawyer? We Can Help

Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.

01

Describe Your Case

Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.

02

Get Connected

We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.

03

Hire an Attorney

Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.

Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On

Get Professional Help
Talk to a Business Law attorney.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please enter a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Please enter a valid Case Description
Description is required
How It Works
  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you