With the 4th-highest startup early survival rate in the nation, starting a business in Pennsylvania is a great choice for entrepreneurs. Start your business today with our simple step-by-step guide and get on the fast track to financial and personal independence. If you get stuck along the way, connect with a business resource in your local area for help.

Steps to Starting your Pennsylvania Business
To Start a Business in Pennsylvania, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Business Idea
The first step toward business ownership is deciding what kind of business to start. Look for an idea that suits your interests, your personal goals, and your natural abilities. This will help you stay motivated when the going gets tough and will greatly improve your odds of success. We have assembled a comprehensive list of small business ideas to help you get started. Need inspiration? Here were the most popular ideas among our Pennsylvania visitors in 2020:
TRENDING BUSINESS IDEAS IN Pennsylvania

Find the Right Business Idea for You
Our free Business Ideas Generator will help you identify great businesses that match your interests and lifestyle.
Step 2: Plan Your Business
Successful businesses are built through careful planning. Before committing a significant amount of money and other resources toward your business, critically analyze your idea and create a game plan. At a minimum, you should have good answers to the following questions.
Business Name
Naming a business can be challenging. You'll want to choose a brand name that follows Pennsylvania naming rules, resonates with your customers, and is available as a URL.
Product Development
What problem does your business solve? What will set your product or service apart from the competition?
Sales & Marketing
Who are your potential customers? How will you get their attention and convert them into buyers?
People and Partnerships
What roles will you need to hire and what professional relationships will you need to form in order to succeed?
Financial Planning
How many clients or sales will you need in order to break even? How much money will it take to get there, and where will you get the funding?

Start Planning
- Create a robust business plan to help navigate the early years of your business. To use this free tool sign up for the Business Center.
- Need Help? Find organizations in your local area that can assist you with planning.
- If you’re a solo-entrepreneur, setting up a virtual office can add credibility to your business by having a business address on Google search, protect your personal privacy, and provide you with a business phone line and a live receptionist to answer your calls. Save $200 on a virtual office today.
- If you’re a woman in business, find funding, tools and resources with this great new series Women in Business.
Step 3: Form Your Business
Registering your Pennsylvania company as a legal business entity, such as an LLC or a Corporation, has two major advantages:
- Increased credibility
- Protection from personal liability in the event your business is sued
For most small businesses, registering an LLC is a great option. In comparison to other business entities, LLCs are easier to set up and manage and they have favorable tax treatment. You can set up an LLC in Pennsylvania for between $225-$325.
If you choose not to register your company as a business entity, you will be held personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of your business. In addition, unregistered business owners may need to file a Trade Name, also known as a "DBA." Find out if your business is required to file a DBA.
Secure Your Domain
We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator. Then, create a logo with our free Logo Maker.
After registering a domain name, consider setting up a professional email account (@yourcompany.com). Google's G Suite offers a business email service that comes with other useful tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, and more. Try it for free
Step 4: Register for Taxes
With limited exceptions, most businesses require an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Tax ID Number. An EIN is used to identify a business in its federal tax filings. Without an EIN, you can't hire employees or open a business bank account.
You should also be aware of important pennsylvania taxes that may apply to your business:
- If you are selling a physical product, you’ll typically need to register for Pennsylvania Sales Tax.
- If you hire employees, you will have to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax and Employee Withholding Tax on behalf of your employees.
Step 5: Create Business Banking and Credit Accounts
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Additionally, learning how to build business credit can help you get credit cards and other financing in your business's name (instead of yours), better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.
You can protect your business with these two steps:
1. Opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.
2. Getting a business credit card:
- Helps you separate personal and business expenses.
- Builds your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise capital (e.g., small business loans) later on.
Step 6: Set Up Accounting
An accounting system helps you track the performance of your business and simplifies annual tax filings. Quality accounting software lets you download your bank and credit card transactions, making accounting fast and easy. Learn more about the importance of accounting and how to get started with accounting today.

Recommended: QuickBooks has all the accounting features your small business will need.
Step 7: Obtain Permits and Licenses
To operate your new business legally, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. In many cases, this involves obtaining one or more business permits and/or licenses. For example, a restaurant will likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

Learn how to obtain the necessary licenses and permits for your business
- or -
Use a professional service to help you obtain required licenses
Step 8: Get Insured
Business insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance you should consider are:
We recommend that all small businesses, including home based businesses, purchase a general liability policy. Businesses selling professional advice or services, such as consulting and accounting firms, should also consider a professional liability policy. In Pennsylvnia, businesses with one or more employees, excluding business owners, are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.

Our recommended insurance provider can set you up with an insurance policy that is right for your business
Read our review of the best small business insurance companies
Step 9: Define Your Brand and Promote your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, you should consider:
- What your business stands for?
- What are your core values?
- What will earn customer trust?
Once you feel confident about your answers to these questions, it’s time to move onto your business name. Your business name is the cornerstone of good branding and a successful business. To learn more about creating the best name for your business, read our How to Name a Business guide.
Last but not least, try our Free Logo Generator to get a unique logo for your business. Our logo maker is free (no sign-ups or email address needed) and it comes in all social media sizes. It’s easy and hassle free--with no design experience required!
Promoting Your Business
There are many different methods to promote your business, but the two most effective methods are:
- Press Releases
Press Releases
Press Releases are a great way to promote your brand and are one of the most cost-effective strategies as they:
- Provides publicity
- Establish your brand on the web
- Improve your website's SEO, driving more customers to your website
- Are a one-time cost in terms of effort and money
- Have long-lasting benefits
Recommended: TRUiC has negotiated a 25% discount for you on a service that will write and distribute press releases for you.
A Facebook page is a great, free way to interact with your customers. But, it does require ongoing effort to be successful.
A Facebook page can be used to:
- Establish your local business presence
- Showcase your business products and services
- Communicate with your customers
- Get and share reviews from customers
- Promote your business through ads, though this may not be suitable for your business.
Step 10: Establish a Web Presence
A professional website is critical to the long-term success of your business, regardless of what industry you are in. A website allows potential customers to find your business online and discover the products or services you offer, and it also enhances your business’s credibility.
In addition to a website, you should also consider other avenues for promoting your business online:
- Setting up social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
- Creating accounts on review sites (Yelp, Google Reviews, etc)
- Registering for a local Google profile
Pennsylvania Formation Guides
How to Form an LLC Pennsylvania
- Should I Start an LLC for My Small Business?
- Cost to Form an LLC in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania LLC Name Search
- How to Choose a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania
- How to File LLC Articles of Organization in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania LLC Operating Agreement
- Pennsylvania LLC Decennial Report
- How to Dissolve an LLC in Pennsylvania
How to File a DBA in Pennsylvania
How to Start a Corporation in Pennsylvania
How to Start a NonProfit in Pennsylvania
OTHER GUIDES
World Trade Center Harrisburg
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Business Planning
- Networking
- Legal Assistance
Description
The WTC specializes in assisting businesses in south/central Pennsylvania businesses that import or export goods internationally, or need to make other global connections. This organization gives its members access to market research, technical and legal assistance, and educational seminars. Membership to any WTC will grant you access to all WTCs in the country.
Restrictions
This branch of the WTC is limited to entrepreneurs in South/Central Pennsylvania, but it is a national organization, so you can choose from many locations.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1000 North Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17103
717-843-1090
info@wtccentralpa.org
Business Resource and Innovation Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Financial
- Sales & Marketing
- Networking
Accepts Walks In
Description
This organization assists businesses in every stage of the entrepreneurial process. It offers a wide variety of online resources in addition to in-person workshops and networking opportunities. You can also schedule appointments with a librarian who is trained to help you find the best possible resources for your company.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1901 Vine St., Room 202
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-686-5394
dbeck@communityfirstfund.org
HOURS OF OPERATION:
SUN: 1 pm – 5 pm
MON - THU: 9 am – 9 pm
FRI: 9 am – 6 pm
SAT: 9 am – 5 pm
Women’s Business Center at the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Business Planning
- Networking
Description
This organization offers various workshops on turning your business concept into a reality. It also offers more specific workshops on business aspects like creating a website. If you have an established business, there are workshops for growing and expanding it. The WBC also provides one-on-one counseling. Oftentimes, veterans can attend these workshops for free or a discounted prices. While this organization is helping businesses at all stages, it is best for businesses in the idea or planning stage, as the majority of its articles and resources are focused on jump-starting a business.
Restrictions
This organization serves Pittsburgh and its eleven surrounding counties.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
6585 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-365-1448
womenbusinesscenter@chatham.edu
Scranton Enterprise Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Coworking
- Networking
Accepts Walks In
Description
The SEC provides a space for startups to hold meetings, attend workshops, and meet with counselors to improve their business. It offers access to equipment like printers and scanners, as well as spaces like conference rooms. The resources are open to anyone, but you must submit an application with a detailed business plan in order to secure more permanent space in the SEC building. Because the SEC focuses on nurturing new small businesses, it will not be as useful to established businesses.
Restrictions
Only businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania, services offered via membership only.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
201 Lackawanna Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
570-342-7711
awhitney@scrantonchamber.com