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Small Business Resource Center

Everything you need to start, run, and grow a PNW business

Free guides, templates, calculators and practical answers for Washington, Oregon and Idaho — checked against official state sources. No account required.

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Where do you want to start?

Two paths — one for people running a business, one for people hiring one.

Rules where you operate

Licensing, taxes and contractor registration, state by state — with links straight to the official agencies.

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Answers

Quick answers to common questions

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How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
$200 to file the Certificate of Formation online with the WA Secretary of State, plus the annual report, which is $70 per year for profit entities including LLCs. Add roughly $90 for the Business License Application (UBI) if you need it. Confirm current fees at sos.wa.gov and bls.dor.wa.gov.
Do I need a business license in Washington if I'm just freelancing?
Yes, if you're making over $13,000/year in WA-sourced revenue. Under that, you can skip the state license but must still file a federal Schedule C. Most cities also require their own license starting at $0 revenue.
How fast can I form an LLC in WA, OR, or ID?
All three states approve online LLC filings same-day to 2 business days. Idaho is fastest (usually <24 hours). Paper filings take 3–4 weeks — don't do paper.
How many Google reviews do I need to be competitive?
There's no guaranteed threshold. As a practical benchmark, many competitive local businesses aim for at least 25 recent reviews while keeping a rating above 4.5 stars. Review quality, relevance, recency and overall local prominence all affect visibility — so keep a steady flow of new reviews rather than chasing a single number.
Is Yelp worth paying for in 2026?
It depends. Yelp advertising performance varies considerably by category and location. Before committing to a long-term campaign, run a small test and compare its cost per lead against Google Local Service Ads, Facebook and referral-based marketing.
Should I use my personal Facebook for my business?
Create a separate Facebook Page — your personal profile capped at 5,000 friends and lacks analytics, scheduling, and ad eligibility. You can run the Page from your personal login without exposing your personal profile to customers.
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