Get your financing in place.

There are many ways to finance your business, from your own savings to personal credit cards to bank loans. If you need credit, know your business plan from front to back and maybe even sideways.

Decide what kind of structure your company will have.

From a legal standpoint, there are three basic choices, sole proprietorship, partnership and incorporation, each with advantages and disadvantages.

- Choose a name for your company and check on name availability.

Naming your company is highly individual, but it's the first thing associated with your business, so choose your name carefully. You'll need to do a NUANS (Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search) report, which checks your name choices for uniqueness against a database of other business names. A reserved name is valid for 90 days.

- Determine whether there are special permits or licenses that your business will need. Check with county court house or your local tax collectors office for the proper forms.

- Set up your business bank account and record-keeping system.

Your banker will need to see your business documents, and you may want to set up more than one account so you can keep track of your finances better. Record-keeping is required, and can be done manually or with a computer program.

- Purchase insurance.

There are many different types of insurance, but most probably your company will need at least one. For example, if you're going to have employees, you need to have workers compensation insurance.

- Decide where your business will be located.

Lease your business' space. Alternatively, you could choose to start your business from home if it's feasible. There are advantages and disadvantages to starting your business from home. You have tax write-offs for example, but sometimes your image suffers.

- Purchase supplies and office equipment. You'll need too many things to list here, and of course, each business has different needs. You might need a fax machine and printer. You'll probably need a computer. You'll definitely need paper, pens, pencils and a calculator.

Being armed with the facts and information you need from the beginning is a giant step towards ensuring the success of your small business. So take your time and do your research.

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