Skip the fluff. Here's what you actually need to do to get your Florida business up and running—and getting customers.
Many people think registering an LLC is the hardest part.
It's not.
The hardest part is getting customers.
And most businesses struggle because they aren't visible when people search.
Before anything else, you need to make your business legal. In Florida, registering an LLC is straightforward:
Florida's Division of Corporations website (sunbiz.org) is where you file your LLC. The filing fee is around $125 for online registration.
Florida requires a registered agent to receive legal documents. This can be you or a service (costs $50-300/year).
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS. You'll need this to open a business bank account and hire employees.
Pro tip: Consider consulting with a CPA before filing—structure matters for taxes.
This is where most new business owners drop the ball. They think they'll "get to the website later." But here's the truth:
"Without a website, you don't exist to the 75% of customers who research businesses online before calling."
What most new businesses do:
Create a Facebook page and hope for the best.
What actually works:
A professional website that makes you look established from day one—even if you just started yesterday.
This is free and it puts your business on Google Maps. When someone searches "plumber near me" or "moving company Orlando," your business can show up in the local results.
Important: Ask your customers to leave reviews
Once verified, reach out to friends, family, and early customers to leave you Google reviews. More reviews = more visibility = more calls.
Here's what new business owners often get wrong about funding:
Most grants are limited, competitive, and industry-specific. They're not a reliable startup source.
Some cities have small business programs, but they're often time-limited and require applications.
SBA loans and traditional lenders are more common. Requires good credit and business history.
Instead of "How do I get funding?", ask:
"How do I start getting revenue immediately?"
A service business—contractor, mover, cleaner, handyman—can start generating revenue within days of having a website and Google presence. You don't need funding. You need visibility.
Want to explore funding options?
Visit SBA Funding Programs →The chicken-and-egg problem: You need reviews to get customers, but you need customers to get reviews. Here's how to break through:
Family, friends, neighbors, former coworkers. Let everyone know you're in business. Offer a referral discount.
"10% off your first job if you leave a Google review" gets people moving. It works.
Your website + Google Business Profile = being found. This is your most reliable long-term customer source.
Before/after photos, job completion pics. Post them on your Google profile and your website. Social proof wins jobs.
Getting your first customers isn't about having the biggest marketing budget. It's about being visible when people are looking for your service—and making it easy for them to call.
A professional website + Google Business Profile = your foundation for getting customers.
Don't wait to be visible. Every day without a professional website is a day you're invisible to customers searching for your service.
Whether you're starting a business in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, or anywhere in Florida, the process is similar — but competition can vary by market.
That's why having a strong online presence from day one matters.
In competitive markets like Miami or Tampa, a professional website + Google Business Profile can be the difference between getting calls and being invisible.
Quick answers to common questions about starting a business in Florida.