Do I need to register my business?

Yes, if you intend on operating a commercial venture, your first step should be to register that business with your state in some form. Companies need to register their business with the Secretary of State’s office in their state, reserving that name for their use, or with their county in the case of operating as a Sole Proprietorship.  

Once this is complete, you are allowed to officially conduct business. One of the benefits of registering a business as an LLC or Corporation instead of a Sole Proprietorship deals with liability protection. If you are an LLC or Corporation, only the assets owned in the name of the business are subject to the claims of business creditors, including lawsuits against the business. A Sole Proprietorship does not have that protection, all personal as well as business assets would be subject to any claims against the business. If you choose to organize an LLC or Corporation, every state has their own filing fees; they typically range from $75 - $500.