Starting a business in Idaho, of all areas, probably never occurred to you unless you were born and raised in the Gem State. Idaho, on the other hand, should be on the radar of any aspiring entrepreneur: the state’s economy is rising, and it has one of the most welcoming environments for small enterprises in the country.

Are you considering starting your own business but not sure where to begin? Then, we’ve got your back. Our step-by-step guide to starting a business in Idaho will lead you through all you need to know to realize your entrepreneurial dreams. These are the procedures you must take to start your own Idaho business, from forming your company to developing a marketing strategy.

11 Basic Steps To Start A Business In Idaho 2023

Pick A Business Idea

Choosing what type of business to start is the first step toward becoming a business owner. Look for a concept that aligns with your passions, personal ambitions, and natural abilities. This will keep you motivated when things become tough and increase your chances of success significantly.

Developing a business idea that fits your personality and positive attributes will motivate you to put in the long hours required to overcome the numerous hurdles you’ll face in getting your company off the ground.

Plan Your Business 

Successful businesses are the result of meticulous preparation. Before investing a large amount of money or other resources in your Idaho business, thoroughly evaluate your concept and develop a game plan. The following sections should be included in your business plan:

• The executive summary is a synopsis of your company and why it will succeed.
• The business description describes the benefits of your company and the challenges it solves.
• Conduct market research into your sector, target market, and prospective competitors.
• Detail the mechanics and bolts of your firm, including how it’s structured and who will operate it.
• Description of the product or service describes what you’re selling or providing.
• Explain your marketing strategy for gaining customers in your marketing plan.

Get Funding

It’s no secret that you’ll need money to start a business, but there are a few things you’ll need to accomplish first before you can get the money you’ll need to cover initial fees. First, before looking for outside finance, figure out how much your business will cost. This will assist you in selecting the appropriate funding source for your Idaho company’s requirements. Then, by making a precise financial plan, be smart with your spending and get organized.

Choose a Business Structure

Create a formal business entity for your Idaho company, such as an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. Find out which Idaho business structure is best for your new venture.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business structure where the owner is not separated from the business. This means that the owner receives 100% of the company’s profits.

LLCs

The personal asset protection of a corporation is combined with the freedom of a partnership or sole proprietorship in a limited liability company (LLC). Most small firms prefer the LLC structure due to its ease of administration and advantageous tax status.

The Top 2 Ohio LLC Services

Incfile

ZenBusiness is, in our opinion, the best comprehensive business formation service accessible today. ZenBusiness’s pricing plan is challenging to beat, as the company charges only $39 to start your business and gives a full year of registered agent service.

Northwest

You don’t need us to tell you that Northwest’s $39 entry-level price is an excellent value. What distinguishes Northwest Registered Agents from the competition? In a nutshell, Northwest provides the best customer service we’ve ever seen in this industry.

Corporations

A company is a separate legal body whose stockholders own it. Corporations have more formal laws and are more appealing to investors than LLCs. The majority of huge corporations, such as Apple, fall under the corporate group.

Nonprofits

A nonprofit organization is one that relies on donations rather than an investment to fund its operations. Nonprofit organizations are often formed to serve a social cause and are tax-exempt.

Partnership

A partnership is an unincorporated business structure having many owners, similar to a sole proprietorship. Similarly, unlike a formal corporate structure, partnerships do not provide liability protection.

Related: How to Form an LLC Idaho

Register Your Idaho Business

Hopefully, you’ve come up with a nice business name because you’ll need it to register your corporation with the state of Idaho. Whether you’re starting a sole proprietorship, an LLC, or a corporation, the process is different.

For Sole proprietorships

To begin, check the availability of your desired business name using the Idaho Secretary of State Business Search. Next, go to the Idaho SoS website and create an SOS Biz account, then follow the processes to get your assumed company name certificate. You’ll have to pay a filing fee of $25.

For corporations and LLCs

A similar procedure applies to registering one of these entities with the state. The first step is to choose a registered agent who will receive process notices and other government mail on the business’s behalf, such as tax receipts. As long as you have a physical address in the state, you can choose to be your registered agent.

You should check the availability of your preferred business name after selecting a registered agent. Create a SOSBiz account on the Idaho Secretary of State’s website to fill out the form required for online business registration. Articles of Organization are required for an LLC, whereas Articles of Incorporation are required for corporations.

Set up Banking, Credit Cards, & Accounting

Personal asset protection necessitates the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts. When your personal and corporate accounts are intermingled, your personal assets (such as your home, car, and other possessions) are put in danger if your company is issued. This is referred to as piercing your corporation veil in business law.

Get Insured

In Idaho, business insurance allows you to minimize risks while focusing on expanding your company. The following are the most typical types of company insurance to consider:

•  General Liability Insurance
•  Workers’ Compensation Insurance
•  Professional Liability Insurance

Obtain Permits & Licenses

You must follow federal, state, and local government requirements in order to legally operate your new firm. This frequently necessitates the acquisition of one or more business permits and licenses. A restaurant, for example, will almost certainly require health permissions, construction permits, signs permits, and so on.

Different licenses and permits are required to start a business in Idaho, depending on the type of operation.

Hire Employees

Building a good team is the key next stage in launching a successful business for any firm (unless you plan to be a single employee). But it’s not just about finding the ideal people; you also need to make sure you’re following all of the legal criteria for employing staff.

Build a Business Website

Although developing a website is an important step, some people may believe it is out of their grasp due to a lack of website-building skills. While this may have been a valid concern in 2015, web technology has advanced significantly in recent years, making the lives of small business owners much easier.

Promo Your Business

There are numerous ways to promote your business in Idaho. However, the following are the most effective:

• Press Releases 
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Google My Business

Important Steps After Forming A Business In Idaho

There are essential steps to follow after forming your business to preserve and grow it, including:

• After the formation of your business, To safeguard your company’s corporate veil, you must use a specific business bank account and credit account.
• Separates your personal assets from the assets of your firm, which is required for personal asset protection.
• Builds your company’s credit history, which can come in handy if you need to raise funds in the future.
• Federal, state, and local regulations must all be followed by your company. Keep in mind that you may be required to pay a fee, attend classes, or pass an exam in order to obtain some licenses or permissions.

Type Of Business Start In Idaho

Here are some of the best business types for Idaho that you can think about:

The Restaurant Industry

Food aficionados can be found all around the United States. Idaho is a popular location for specialty eateries, just like other popular states. It’s a feasible business opportunity if you’ve been considering opening a restaurant in the state.

Business Of Digital Printing

Prints are in high demand at the moment. Everyone requires high-quality printing, from corporations to schools to industries. The setup fees are considerable at first, but if you provide your prints at a reasonable price, it will pay off in the long run.

Agency For Digital Marketing

Businesses now require specialized digital services. To keep up with the increased competition online, businesses need digital marketing and promotion. As part of your business, you can also provide SEO, social media marketing, backlinking, and other services.

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Business In Idaho?

The Idaho Business Corporation Act and the Idaho Nonprofit Corporation Act, which detail the conditions for incorporation, are available through the Secretary of State. An application cost of $100 is required for commercial entities ($120 if filled out in handwriting), and $30 is required for charitable organizations.

Final Thoughts

Idaho is an excellent place to start a business. We’ve created this guide to help you through the process of starting a business in the state. It will lead you through each stage of the process and provide you with a plethora of useful resources to get your firm off to a good start.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)