So, you’re looking to start your own business and need help with the paperwork? Incorporate.com might have come up on your radar—it’s a company that’s been around for over a century (seriously, since 1899!) helping people set up their businesses, whether it’s an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. Here’s a quick rundown on what they offer, what it’ll cost you, and whether they’re worth considering.
What Services Does Incorporate.com Offer?
Incorporate.com’s main job is to help you with all the confusing paperwork you need to make your business legit. Here’s what they can do for you:
- Business Formation: They can help you set up your business as an LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, or nonprofit. They handle the nitty-gritty of filing paperwork with your state.
- Registered Agent Services: They offer to be your registered agent (basically, the official address for legal stuff), so you don’t have to put your personal address out there.
- EIN Registration: Need an EIN for tax purposes? They can get that number for you from the IRS.
- Annual Report Filing: They’ll help you stay in good standing with the state by filing annual reports.
- Operating Agreements and Bylaws: They provide templates and help with creating these internal documents.
- Business License Research: If you need licenses or permits, they’ll research what’s required in your area.
How Much Does It Cost?
They’ve got three main packages:
- The Starter: $99 + state fees. Covers the basics for filing your business.
- The Essentials: $249 + state fees. Adds EIN filing and a fancy corporate kit.
- The Works: $349 + state fees. This includes everything in the Essentials, plus an Operating Agreement and business license research.
- Plus, they charge $235 per year for their registered agent services if you need that.
Click here for more information about Incorporate.com
Pros and Cons
Here’s what’s good and what’s not-so-good about Incorporate.com:
Pros:
- They Know Their Stuff: They’ve been around forever, so they know the process inside and out.
- They Cover A Lot of Bases: You can get formation, compliance, EIN, and registered agent services all in one place.
- $75,000 Guarantee: They offer a Corporate Compliance Guarantee, so if something goes wrong due to their error, you’re covered up to $75k.
Cons:
- Not the Cheapest: There are definitely cheaper options out there, especially if you’re a startup trying to keep costs low.
- Required Registered Agent: Some of their packages require you to use their registered agent service, which isn’t optional and adds extra costs.
- Mixed Reviews: Their customer feedback is hit-or-miss—some people love them, others complain about service quality.
How They Compare to Competitors
Incorporate.com has a few major competitors, and each one has its own vibe:
- ZenBusiness: Known for great customer support and more affordable packages. If you’re on a budget, they’re a popular choice.
- Incfile: They offer free business formation (just pay state fees) and throw in a year of free registered agent services, so it’s a great budget option.
- Northwest Registered Agent: They’re a bit pricier but super reliable with customer service and privacy protections.
The Bottom Line
If you want a company with a lot of experience to guide you through setting up your business, Incorporate.com is solid. They’re thorough and offer lots of services beyond just formation, so if you’re building a business that needs ongoing compliance help, they could be a good fit. But if you’re tight on cash or want more control over what you pay for, you might want to check out some of the other players in the game, like ZenBusiness or Incfile.