Online Business Incorporation

Once you decide to form a corporation or form an limited liability company, you will have to register your business and file certain documents with your state government. You will also need a business attorney or online business incorporation website to prepare certain documents such as bylaws (for a corporation) or an operating agreement (for an LLC). Business formation attorneys have historically represented individuals and business entities in the business formation process. However, there are now many online business incorporation websites that facilitate business formations without the necessity of hiring an attorney - some of which compared below. Business formation websites such as LegalZoom.com have streamlined the process of forming a business online.

Online Business Incorporation Comparison Chart

This chart outlines 6 popular online business incorporation and business formation websites:


  IncorporateBusiness Incorporations MyNewCompanyBusiness Incorporations BizFilingsBusiness Incorporations CorpNetBusiness Incorporations LegalZoomBusiness Incorporations RocketLawyerBusiness Incorporations
PriceClick for More Info $99-$399 $79-$279 $129 - $350 $49-$199 $99-$369 $99.95*
Cheapest Package $99 $79 $129 $49 $99 $99.95
Most Expensive Package $399 $279 $350 $199 $369 $308.95
Al la Carte Services View Here View Here View Here View Here View Here View Here
Turnaround TimeClick for More Info Next business day 1-2 days 24 hours
Preliminary Name Search Included Included Included Included Included Included
Registered Agent Service 6 months free $99/year 6 months free 1 year free $12.99/month $99/year
Customer Support Phone or email Phone, email, and chat Phone, email, and chat Phone and email Phone and email Phone, email and chat
States Serviced All 50 All 50 All 50 All 50 All 50 All 50
Editing Capabilities Yes Yes Yes
Sample N/A N/A N/A Click to view N/A N/A
Money Back Guarantee Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
BBB Rating A+ A+ A+ A- A+ A+
In Business Since 1899 2001 1996 Unknown 2001 2008
Other Info Click to View Click to View Click to View Click to View Click to View Click to View
Neat Extras $50K Guaranty ComplianceLock™ Pro Legal Plan
Form a Corporation Now Link Business Incorporation Forms Link Business Incorporation Forms Link Business Incorporation Forms Link Business Incorporation Forms Link Business Incorporation Forms Link Business Incorporation Forms

Compare Business Incorporation Websites before you buy

If you are shopping for an online business formation website to help you form a corporation online, there are many variables you should consider before making a final decision. There are many online incorporation websites, each of which offering different services at different prices. We hope that the chart below will help you make an informed decision regarding your new business entity.

Forms Required to Incorporate Online

The reason so many business formation websites can offer to help you incorporate online is because the process is accomplished with forms. Generally speaking there three initial forms needed to incorporate your business; (1) the Articles of Incorporation (aka Certificate of Formation), (2) Bylaws, and (3) documentation of the organizational meeting such as Minutes.

The online business incorporation process is commenced by filing Articles of Incorporation (aka Certificate of Formation) with your state’s Secretary of State. Business formation websites have access to form articles of incorporation that meet the requirements of each state they service. A simple questionnaire will provide the business formation website with the information needed to complete and file the articles of incorporation. After the Secretary of State approves the proposed name of your business entity, they will confirm your business incorporation. Each state’s Secretary of State has different timeframes in which they will confirm your business incorporation - some states take only 24 hours and others can take up to 40 days).

What happens after the articles of incorporation are filed?

After the Articles of Incorporation are approved by the Secretary of State, the incorporator will be formally notified of such approval. Some online business incorporation companies will conclude their services at this point, however most will offer additional services. As stated above, you will likely need a set of bylaws and documentation of the organizational meeting. In addition, you may want to purchase a glorified binder known as a corporate kit. Most online business incorporation websites provide three or more levels of services and will offer additional services a la carte. You can hold your mouse over the data in the “a la carte” row in the chart above to see the price of the a la carte services.