Start A Business
$39 + State Fees- Free Domain Name
- Free Open Source Website
- Free Phone Line
- Free Business Email
- Free Brand Protection
- Free Business Address
What Type Of Business Is Right For You?
LLC
Best for small businesses and freelancers. Simple setup with strong asset protection.
Pros
- Flexible management
- Pass-through taxation
- Personal asset protection
Cons
- Harder to raise money
- Self-employment tax may apply
- Harder to transfer ownership
Corporation
Best for growth and investors. Perfect for scaling and raising money.
Pros
- Can issue stock
- Investor-ready
- Strong asset protection
Cons
- More legal rules and paperwork
- Possible double taxation
- Stricter management
Nonprofit
Best for organizations with a cause. Apply for tax-exempt status.
Pros
- Tax-exempt potential
- Accept donations
- Grant eligible
Cons
- No owner profits
- Extra IRS approval
How Northwest Business Formation Works
Starting your business should be exciting, not stressful. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on getting up and running.
1. Choose Your Business Type
Pick an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit and choose your state. Not sure which one is right? Our Corporate Guides® can help you decide. We have offices in every state, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
Wherever you want to start a business, we’ve got you covered.
2. We Handle the Filing
We’ll walk you through a few questions to gather the information we need to start your business.
We prepare and file your paperwork with the state so you don’t have to. We’ll use our address on public documents wherever possible so that you can keep yours private.
3. Your Business Is Ready to Go
Once we file, your business tools go live. You get your domain, email, phone number, website, and important legal documents all in one place.
You’ll be able to access all your tools through one secure account.
4. We Keep Supporting You
We don’t disappear after filing. As your registered agent, we help with document scanning, annual renewal reminders, and ongoing professional Corporate Guide support whenever you need it.
That way, you can focus on actually running your business.
Northwest vs. The Competition
Service |
|
Do-It-Yourself |
The Other Guys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Formation Filling | $39 + State Fees | State fees only + your time | Usually an upfront formation fee of $100+ & state fees |
| Registered Agent Service | Free for first year, just $125/yr after | Personal address & information becomes public | Sometimes included, often upsold $100+ |
| Business Address | Included | Home address or rent a virtual office or mailbox | Added charge |
| Domain registration | Included | Buy and manage separately | Added cost, $10+ per year |
| Business Email | Included | Buy separately | Usually add-on cost |
| Business Phone Number | Included | Expose your personal number to scammers | Extra monthly fee |
| Website & Hosting | Included | Buy hosting separately | Frequently upsold |
| Mail Scanning | Included | Rent a mailbox or pay for a virtual office | Often unavailable or pay for an upgrade |
| Brand Monitoring | Included | DIY searches | Usually premium add-on service |
| Legal Form Templates | Included | Hire attorney or create manually | Often upsell or premium tier pricing |
| Your Data | Never sold. Ever! | Who knows where it goes? | Your info is a commodity. |
Why Hire Northwest?
Privacy Protection
Use our address, not yours and keep your home address off public records.
Includes:
- Registered agent address
- Business address
- Mail scanning and forwarding
- We never sell customer data
Identity Services
Get all of the pieces you need to start talking to customers on day one, for free.
Includes:
- Real business address
- Domain name & website
- Professional email
- Local phone
- Brand protection/monitoring
Business Formation
We’ll take care of filing your paperwork so you can focus on your business.
Includes:
- LLC/corporation/nonprofit formation
- Registered agent service (free for first year)
- Operating agreement or bylaws
Compliance Help
Get ongoing help after formation with reminders, documents, and support tools.
Includes:
- Registered agent service
- Annual renewal/report reminders
- Legal form library
- Corporate Guide customer support
Real Human Support
Get help from Corporate Guides® instead of navigating complicated filing rules alone.
Includes:
- Filing guidance
- Expansion help
- Ongoing assistance
Lower Costs
Avoid stacking subscriptions and extra vendors for basic business tools that we’ll provide for free.
Includes:
- $39 formation + state fees
- Free Registered Agent service (first year)
- Bundled business tools
- Annual renewal/report reminders
Trusted By Business Owners Nationwide
Northwest Business Formation FAQs
An S-corp isn’t a separate business structure. It’s a tax election you make with the IRS after forming your LLC or corporation. It can save you significant money in self-employment taxes once your business income reaches a certain level.
Everything You need.
Nothing you don't. That's Northwest.