Since so many people have helped me I thought I'd pass along a pretty standard checklist for starting a new business. Most people don't know about it, but some do if you've been developing businesses for a while.

Anyways, here goes!

Backgroundwork:
* assess your strength and weaknesses
* establish business and personal goals
* assess your financial risks
* determine the start-up costs
* decide on your business location
* do market research
* identify your customers
* identify your competitors
* develop a marketing plan

Business Transactions:
* select a lawyer
* choose a form of organization(proprietorship, partnership, or corporataion for example)
* create your businesss(register your name, incorporate your busines, etc)
* select an accountant
* prepare a business plan
* select a banker
* set up a business checking account
* apply for business loans (if applicable)
* establish a line of credit
* select an insurance agent
* obtain business insurance

First Steps:
* get business cards
* review local business codes
* obtain a lease
* line up suppliers or vendors(if applicable)
* get furniture and equipment
* obtain a business license or permit (if applicable)
* get a federal employer identification number (if applicable)
* get a state employer id number (if applicable)
* send for federal and state tax forms
* join a few professional organizations
* set a starting date

Good luck to everyone, if anyone has any business or marketing questions just ask. This is my background and expertise.


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I'm sure many people can benefit from such a checklist. Thanks for sharing Brent. :)

WOW that is a nice post

Thankz dude :)

honestly i think selecting an accountant should go right after choosing a lawyer because they do have some suggestions for what business type (LLC, Inc, LTD, Partnership etc... etc...) that you should register your business as.

Thanks
- James

If a lot of hosts around here followed even a couple of those steps the hosting world would be a much nicer place.

Nice checklist. Very concise and useful. It can be used for starting a hosting company, web design firm, great!

Advertising:

•Choosing the right medium to advertise through
•Studying your visitors behavior
•Measuring the ROI you get from each medium
•A case study on where your direct competitors are advertising
•Creating special landing pages to draw your visitors towards taking action

Service

•Ensuring your network is running fine
•Answering to customers calls /queries and needs ASAP
•Not making any false claims like 100% uptime (not false always) or 24-7 support when there is only 12 hour support 
•Providing value added services to provide your customers more than just web hosting but a one-stop solution
•Happy customers = Higher word of mouth