Timeline for Starting Your Online Business

Part of the Starting an Online Business All-In-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet

To get your online business up and running, you need a plan and record a timeline. An online business timeline like this can help you make sure you don't miss any steps, can tell you what the next step in the process is, and keeps you on track for launching your online business on your own schedule.

Action	Completion Date	Action	Completion Date
Finalize or validate business idea.	______	Secure funding (if using outside sources).	______
Write a formal business plan.	______	Apply for sales tax certificate (if applicable).	______
Select a business name.	______	Select hosting service.	______
Register business name.	______	Select Web developer.	______
Choose domain name.	______	Select distributor or drop shipper.	______
Register domain name.	______	Create content for Web site.	______
Identify business location.	______	Select products and finalize services.	______
Check zoning laws (if home based).	______	Develop Web site.	______
Set up office.	______	Add shopping cart or other e-commerce applications.	______
Decide organization status of company.	______	Obtain merchant account.	______
Legalize business structure.	______	File trademarks and copyrights.	______
Obtain business license.	______	Submit site to major search engines.	______
Set up business bank account.	______	Initiate marketing plan.	______
Meet with accountant to review tax requirements.	______	Test (and correct) all site functions.	______
Obtain employer identification number (EIN).	______	Launch site to public!	______
Secure business and health (or other types of) insurance.	______