Start with the question,
not a filing package.
What will you sell, where will you operate, and who owns the business? Those answers come before choosing a legal structure or paying for paperwork. A sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation may involve different obligations. Use the SBA launch guide and your state or local authority as starting points; bring uncertain legal or tax questions to a qualified professional.
You do not need to buy an LLC package to ask Athena about a website. You do need to confirm the registrations and permissions required for your actual business before operating. Buying a domain or having a website does not resolve those questions.
Four things to keep separate.
Business setup
Your structure, name filings, required permissions, and records.
Domain
The website address and its own registration and renewal.
Platform & hosting
How the website runs and which services it actually needs.
Website build
The agreed pages, content, features, and handoff from Athena.
Business setup before your website launch
A checklist you can actually use.
Check off each step as you finish it. Your ticks stay in this browser when storage is available. They are not sent to Athena or synced across devices. Clearing browser data removes them.
Checking a box records your planning progress. It does not certify licensing, safety, tax compliance, or readiness to operate. Confirm requirements with the relevant authority for your actual business.
Choose the level of help
that fits the question.
| Route | When to consider it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Official filing route | You know the filing you need and want to submit it yourself. | Use the relevant authority’s current instructions, fees, and deadlines. |
| Filing service | You have decided what to file and want help preparing or submitting it. | Compare the precise scope, state fees, extras, support, renewals, and cancellation terms. |
| Qualified professional | You need advice about structure, ownership, liability, or tax treatment. | Confirm the professional’s qualifications, engagement scope, and fees before proceeding. |
What to ask before paying.
- Which exact filings and documents does this order include?
- What is the total today, including government charges and selected extras?
- Which services renew, at what price, and how do I cancel them?
- What reporting, publication, licenses, or other obligations remain my responsibility?
- What is the estimated processing time, and what could delay it?
For example, a photographer planning portrait sessions can list the service area, proposed name, and business setup questions first. The website brief can then focus on the approved portfolio, session details, and inquiry flow. If the name or setup is still undecided, tell us early so we can plan around it.
Then bring the website to Athena.
Share the approved public-facing name, services, prices you want shown, contact details, customer policies, and the action visitors should take. Keep government identifiers, formation-account credentials, and private ownership documents out of the website inquiry.
Athena’s packages cover the agreed website work. Business formation, government charges, legal or tax advice, hosting, and other third-party services are separate. You choose and purchase any filing service directly.
Next: make the platform and hosting decision →A few good questions.
Do I have to form an LLC before buying a website?
A website purchase alone does not decide your legal structure. Confirm what applies to your activity and location with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser. Athena can discuss the website while you clarify the business details.
Do I have to use MyCompanyWorks?
No. It is an optional resource. You can compare filing directly or choosing another provider. Athena may receive a referral fee from qualifying purchases through its MyCompanyWorks link.
Does forming an entity include every license or permit?
No. Check the activity-specific, professional, state, and local requirements for your operation separately. Confirm the exact scope of any filing order.
Will Athena file the paperwork for me?
This resource directs you to the provider. Athena’s website packages do not include filing your business paperwork or providing legal or tax advice.
Sources & next steps
Reviewed October 31, 2026. This checklist organizes general U.S. planning questions; it does not determine your individual legal or tax requirements.