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Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Ohio offers many benefits. The state doesn’t require annual reports or fees and provides access to tax credits for investments in low-income communities and selected areas. These benefits may reduce the administrative burden and cost for your LLC, but you’ll still have to comply with other requirements, such as appointing a Statutory Agent and checking if your LLC type needs to file specific reports.
Ohio’s specific requirements make it challenging to find the right LLC formation service, as each varies in cost-effectiveness, compliance assistance, integration with accounting practices, and support. That’s why I’ve looked for the best LLC formation services in Ohio that can ease some of your startup stress. I’ve selected six top options that can help form your LLC and meet various needs, from branding tools to personalized, hands-on assistance.
With that in mind, let’s get started with our top choice: ZenBusiness, a service ideal for nearly every business type and size. Continue reading to see my other recommendations that cater to various LLC needs.
What We Look For in the Best LLC Formation Services in Ohio
My initial research uncovered four components of LLC formation services to consider. I used these to evaluate the six top LLC services I’ve listed. These criteria are:
Features. You can register a new LLC on your own in Ohio, so I had to look for reasons why you would want to hire one of these services to do it for you. I looked for what each has to offer beyond the basics of filing your formation paperwork, such as Employer Identification Number (EIN), Statutory Agent (Registered Agent), and LLC marketing services.
Ease of use. I selected LLC formation services that are most accessible to you as a new Ohio business owner. You shouldn’t need an MBA just to start a side hustle LLC. You also don’t need the added frustration of dealing with the service’s website, the ordering process, or your account’s dashboard.
Plans and pricing. Some LLC formation services offer a “free” plan that doesn’t charge anything more than Ohio’s standard LLC registration fees. So I went past that simple bottom line to find the best value for the money in the paid services, while considering renewal and add-on fees.
Support. This is where I get to have a little fun. I and my colleagues actively tested each service’s support team through live chats, phone calls, support tickets, and knowledge bases. I feel that if they can’t help us in a timely, professional manner, they probably won’t be able to help you either.
Important note: Ohio, like all states, charges a fee to register any LLC. Many LLC formation services offer a “free” plan, but you will still need to pay Ohio’s LLC registration fees even if you choose this option. Paid plans typically add on the state fees as well, instead of including them, since every state’s fees differ.
ZenBusiness experts can help get your small side hustle or big dream enterprise endeavor off the groundZenBusiness is at the top of our list1 because it can handle nearly any type or size of business you can dream up. It also received rather stellar scores in our expert review for its features, support, and plan prices. My colleague did have some issues with its online chat support team, but its other support avenues did not disappoint.
Overall, ZenBusiness offers some rather comprehensive business services, in addition to your LLC formation. The only issue is that few of them are free. If paying extra isn’t an issue for you, ZenBusiness can provide you with your first website, courtesy of its proprietary website builder available in its top-tier Premium plan. You can also receive such necessities as Statutory Agent services as a paid add-on.
One thing that sets ZenBusiness apart from most of the other service providers on our list is in its pricing structure. While we’re addressing new LLC owners here, should you find your business needs an S-Corp or C-Corp structure instead, ZenBusiness can still assist you in getting started, and for the same fees you would pay for your new LLC.
Features
Expedited filing times. One way that ZenBusiness can aid new Ohio LLC owners is with its expedited filing times. You can pay extra with the “free” Starter plan, or simply pay for either the Pro or Premium plans and receive filing times of 1 to 2 business days.
ZenBusiness Money. All of ZenBusiness’ LLC formation plans include its finance and tax tracking software, called ZenBusiness Money. The free plan comes with the
Essential edition, which tracks income and expenses. Pro and Premium plans include ZenBusiness Money Pro, allowing you to handle invoices, take online payments, and even tag and track taxes.
Business bank account. A somewhat unique paid offering from ZenBusiness is its business banking. It does not require an opening deposit, a minimum balance, or even monthly activity. Your Ohio LLC can have a bank account up and running before you ever make your first sale.
Business domain and email address. In addition to your website, ZenBusiness can register your domain name and provide you with a unique business email inbox. You can get your domain name much cheaper from other registrants, but if you want to do a “one-stop” shopping trip, ZenBusiness has what you need to get your business online.
Tailor Brands offers you ways to start marketing your new business right awayIf you want to start marketing your LLC right away, need some state and local permits to operate, or dread filing your own taxes, Tailor Brands is the ideal LLC formation service1 for you. It offers a permit research service that lets you know just what you need to legally operate in both Ohio and your city or town. Tailor Brands accounting professionals will file your Ohio and federal business taxes for you as well.
Tailor Brands offers a comprehensive suite of marketing and branding solutions. These include designing and printing business cards and branded merchandise. It also has a Graphic Design Suite to help you design social media posts, flyers, presentations, and more.
Tailor Brands may not be the best choice for every new Ohio business owner. Or perhaps I should say its free plan may be all you really need. That’s because Tailor Brands offers many services, including an annual compliance package that’s not necessary for Ohio LLCs. Many of its add-on services can carry some hefty fees too, but they can be all worth it if you need comprehensive marketing and branding services.
Features
Social media tools. Tailor Social is a subscription-based social media management tool. It can recommend various content types and relevant topics for your content and help you create and schedule posts that will get attention. It also has an analytics tool that lets you know how well your efforts are working.
AI-powered logo creator. Every new business needs at least one visual element customers can associate with it: its logo. Tailor Brands offers a free AI-powered logo generator, so you can create your business logo and have it ready for your website, business cards, staff uniforms, or even your delivery van in just a matter of minutes.
Website design, domain, and email. You can choose from an automated website builder, a DIY option, or the services of a professional graphic designer to get your new LLC website online. Also offered are a domain name and email address tailored to your website. The top-tier Elite plan includes the domain name free for one year.
Statutory Agent services. Every Ohio LLC needs a Statutory Agent to act on its behalf. While you can do this yourself, it could open up privacy issues. Having Tailor Brands act as your Statutory Agent safeguards your privacy while offering compliance with Ohio’s business regulations.
LegalZoom’s expert legal advisors are just a phone call away
Your new Ohio business will deal with contracts, copyrights, binding agreements, or other legal issues. And you may have to clarify some insurance or tax concerns. LegalZoom is the ideal LLC formation service for you if you need ongoing or periodic legal advice. LegalZoom has experienced business attorneys1 who can help answer any questions you may have regarding your Ohio LLC and legal, tax, or insurance concerns.
While these services are paid add-ons if you choose the “free” entry-level plan, you get a free tax and insurance consultation with LegalZoom’s mid-level Pro plan and free 30-day unlimited attorney consultations with its Premium plan. LegalZoom also offers a Business Advisory Plan which provides you with a year’s worth of legal consultations for a subscription fee. Every plan grants access to the library of legal form templates with over 150 documents.
LegalZoom’s biggest drawback is its support team. While live chat is fast and efficient, email support can be completely unresponsive. Add to that the fact that phone support is only available if you purchase one of the paid plans, and you’d better hope you don’t need a complex issue resolved quickly.
Features
Name check service. Every business needs a unique, distinctive name. In a state the size of Ohio, however, you may have decided on a name that’s already taken by an existing business. All LegalZoom LLC formation plans include a free name check service, which researches your business name choices and lets you know which are available.
Digital Welcome Packet. Another element of every LegalZoom plan is its digital welcome kit. This consists of a checklist in your LegalZoom account dashboard that lays out all the steps you’ll need to complete to legally start your new Ohio LLC.
Non-US resident and expat services. Maybe you’re not currently living in Ohio or even in the US, but still want to start a business there. LegalZoom offers an optional Statutory Agent service that provides you with the physical address non-residents need to comply with Ohio law.
Customized service and payment options. While LegalZoom does offer pre-made plans for LLC formation, you can choose your own elements and create a custom service package including just the services your Ohio startup needs. LegalZoom also offers installment payment options, which could be easier on your budget.
Northwest Registered Agent offers much more than simple LLC formation with its personalized service and privacy policies
While Ohio doesn’t require much continued compliance for its registered LLCs, it does mandate that you have and maintain a Statutory Agent. Northwest Registered Agent offers Statutory Agent (Registered Agent) services with its LLC formation package. And if you would rather have more personal attention than what other LLC formation services provide, Northwest Registered Agent is for you.
When you sign up with Northwest Registered Agent, you’ll be assigned a Corporate Guide, a business professional who can help you navigate Ohio bureaucracy. This expert will not only handle all your LLC formation tasks but will be available for you throughout your lifetime as a Northwest Registered Agent client. They’ll get to know you and your business in ways no impersonal agent ever could.
Northwest Registered Agent is also committed to its “Privacy by Default” practice and will keep as much of your data private as possible. As your Statutory Agent, it limits the data it collects to maintain your privacy. It also doesn’t sell your data and burden you with annoying opt-outs. Unlike other services, however, there is no “free” plan with Northwest Registered Agent.
Features
Self-service and full-service options. There are two ways to take advantage of Northwest Registered Agent’s services. You can DIY your Ohio LLC formation and simply hire it to act as your Statutory Agent, or you can hire it to handle your LLC formation and receive a year’s worth of Statutory Agent services for free.
In-house teams. Besides Corporate Guides, Northwest Registered Agent also has its own US-based IT teams, customer service reps, coding and billing agents, and servers.
Business Identity add-ons. When you hire Northwest Registered Agent to form your LLC, it sets you up with pretty much everything you need to do business online. You get a free domain name for the first year, and a free business website, SSL certificate, email, and private VoIP phone line for the first 90 days.
Library of free forms and documents. You’ll have access to hundreds of free legal forms and business documents through your Northwest Registered Agent account. Whether you need to record meeting minutes, defend your business in a lawsuit, or add or change a business partner, you’ll find the forms you need.
Bizee (formerly Incfile) has years of experience and satisfied customersFor budget-strapped Ohio LLC owners, Bizee may be the answer to your LLC formation service needs. Its free (plus state fees) Basic plan only provides the features necessary to get your LLC started in Ohio. This includes the Articles of Organization and unlimited phone and email support.
And for a small extra fee for expedited filing, you could have your Ohio LLC up and running in less than a month. (Regular filing times without the expedited fee can take up to 4 weeks.) If you choose the Standard plan, you’ll still have to pay for expedited filing, but it is included with the top-tier Premium plan.
Just how budget-friendly is Bizee? Bizee’s Standard plan is less than what ZenBusiness or Tailor Brands charge for their top-tier plans. It also costs less than what LegalZoom charges for its mid-level plan. The one drawback to Bizee’s inexpensive plans is the extra fee for expedited filing, which some of the other service providers include free with their plans.
Features
Free Statutory Agent for your first year. Bizee includes one year of free Statutory Agent service with all of its plans, even the free Basic plan. This can save you big time in the long run, as Bizee’s renewal fees are less than many other providers charge.
Business bank account offer. You’ll want to keep business and personal finances separate, and the best way to do that is with a business bank account. Bizee partners with Bank of America to offer its clients a quick business bank account setup.
Business accounting service. Bizee offers small business accounting and tax preparation as a paid add-on service. However, by using Bizee to form your LLC, you get a free tax consultation to get a handle on your new Ohio LLC’s taxes.
Business grant programs. Bizee offers two grants for new entrepreneurs. One is for students (high school seniors and up) who plan to enroll in university business programs or trade schools. The other is for adults who need a financial boost to get their startup off the ground.
As a new Ohio business owner, you’ll find Swyft Filings’ easy-to-use ordering process comforting and confidence-boostingSwyft Filings takes the worry of launching your startup away with its team of experienced professionals and its personalized support. From its easy-to-use ordering process to its stellar phone support team, it’s the ideal choice if you’re a new Ohio LLC owner.
The Swyft Filings website claims you can file your LLC registration in minutes, which is pretty accurate. My colleague found it took less than 10 minutes to give Swyft Filings all the pertinent information needed to register an LLC. After that, your account dashboard allows you to easily access application status updates, important documents, and any add-on services you purchase.
The one big negative issue with Swyft Filings might be its Statutory Agent service. It costs a pretty hefty fee that’s charged quarterly.
Features
Business licensing package. This paid add-on is useful if you need local or state licenses to operate legally. You’ll receive a list of all the requirements for your business, including the documents themselves, as well as information on which agency or organization to file them with.
Personalized support. You’ll be assigned an account support agent who will be yours for the lifetime of your account. This agent will get to know you and your business from the ground up, similar to Northwest Registered Agent’s Corporate Guides, and be able to offer specific, customized support when you need it.
Customizable business documents. While Ohio doesn’t require much in the way of documentation after your Articles of Organization, your bank and your business might. With Swyft Filings’ Standard and Premium plans, you gain access to an extensive library of customizable business forms. From a banking resolution to invoices and contracts, you’ll have the paperwork you need to do business.
Access to trusted third-party services. Swyft Filings partners with Web.com for your domain name and website free for one year, Bank of America for banking and financing solutions, and H&R Block for tax consultations and filing services.
Which LLC Formation Service Is Right for Your Ohio Business?
Any of our six featured LLC formation service providers would be a good choice for starting your Ohio LLC. Each of our top three, however, serves different business needs.
When you just need a good all-around LLC formation service, ZenBusiness is the ideal choice1. ZenBusiness can serve many different types of businesses and startup budgets with its various plans and add-on services.
If you need or want to begin branding your business from the start, Tailor Brands will fit the bill nicely1. Tailor Brands’ array of graphic design and marketing tools can help you create logos, social media posts, and more.
If you require contracts, copyrights, trademarks, binding agreements, and other legal solutions, look no further than LegalZoom1. Its staff of attorneys can help you resolve your ongoing legal issues.
The table below compares all six of our featured LLC formation service providers. Check it out and see if one of them is right to get your new Ohio business off the ground.
It can cost you as little as the Ohio Secretary of State’s LLC registration fee. ZenBusiness offers a “free” LLC formation plan with a few extras with no added costs other than your required state fees.
Are there ongoing compliance requirements for an Ohio LLC?
Yes. Even though annual reports aren’t required in Ohio, you have to maintain a Statutory Agent within the state. You’ll need to keep any licenses, permits, or other state or local operating requirements up to date and pay your taxes. LegalZoom is perfectly positioned to assist with your few compliance requirements as an Ohio business owner.
What are the steps involved in forming an LLC in Ohio?
To form an LLC in Ohio, you should:
Choose a unique name for your business
Appoint a Statutory Agent
File your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State
Suzanne has been a freelance writer and editor for 31 years, and has been writing online content since 2008. She holds professional certifications in editing and SEO strategy. She’s often been in the same desk chair as our Website Planet readers, needing to know what’s best and what’s best avoided. When she’s not testing and reviewing vendors, Suz is a professional artist as well as a volunteer therapy musician, playing the Celtic lap harp. She is a nature-lover who is often found walking the hiking trails near her home. She also enjoys time with her family, her grandchildren, and two cats.
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