DBA
Know how to file a new business name for your existing business and how it works for an LLC or corporation.

Blogs Posts

What Is a “Doing Business As” (DBA)?
A DBA ("Doing Business As") is a registered name that lets your business operate under a different name than its legal one and gives your business an official nickname.
Read more

What Is a DBA? A Complete Guide to Doing Business As
You want your business to have a real name. A name people can find, trust, and pay. But the paperwork seems confusing. That is where a DBA comes in.
Read more

LLC vs DBA: What's Best for My Small Business?
A DBA lets you use a different business name, and an LLC can help separate your personal assets from business debts or lawsuits. Read more to know which one your business needs.
Read more
Go-to stories from our writers
Learn from the team that's helped 600,000+ businesses get it right from day one. Read the insights you need to form your business with confidence—straight from our team.

How To Perform an Ohio Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free Ohio Secretary of State business search, use all seven search methods, and read the five statuses that decide whether a name is still protected.

How To Perform a Mississippi Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free Mississippi Secretary of State business search, use all five name-matching modes, and confirm a business name is available before you file.

How To Perform a North Carolina Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free North Carolina Secretary of State business search, use all four search types, and understand why NC lets near-identical names coexist.

How to Start a Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to start a business? See the 8-step process, real costs, timelines, and mistakes to avoid before you register.

How To Do Inventory Management For Your Small Business (2026 Guide)
Struggling with overstock or stockouts? Learn how to manage small business inventory in 2026 using ABC analysis, reorder points, FIFO, and smart forecasting to protect your cash flow and boost profits.

Foreign Qualification: Which State to Choose and Why
Learn what foreign qualification means, why out-of-state filing may cost more, and how Delaware, Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, and your home state compare today.


How To Perform a Louisiana Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free Louisiana Secretary of State business search, read what each result means, and check whether a business name is available before you file.

How To Perform a New Jersey Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free New Jersey business entity search, use both search modes correctly, and understand why a name that appears in your results may still be available.

How To Perform an Arkansas Business Entity Search
Learn how to run a free Arkansas Secretary of State business entity search, read what each status means, and check whether a business name is available before you file.


Company Suffix Requirements by State
Every state has its own rules for which suffix your business name must end with, and barred words. Let’s check the suffix requirements for all 50 states + D.C.

The Corporate Transparency Act Explained
Understand the Corporate Transparency Act, BOI reporting requirements, exemptions, filing deadlines, confidentiality rules, and penalties for noncompliance now.

8 Common Missed or Misunderstood Tax Deductions for Small Business
Identify overlooked small business tax deductions, including expenses for vehicles, home offices, startup costs, loans, depreciation, and other ways to lower taxable income.


Incorporating in Delaware: Pros, Cons, & Alternatives
Explore the pros and cons of incorporating in Delaware, including tax benefits, privacy, filing fees, franchise taxes, and alternative states to consider today.

How to Earn Extra Money With a Dropshipping Side Hustle
See how dropshipping works, from choosing a niche and finding suppliers to building an online store, marketing products, managing finances, and scaling your business.

Resources for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
Access valuable resources for veteran-owned businesses, including training, funding programs, networking opportunities, grants, and support services for entrepreneurs.

35 Best Business Ideas To Start In 2026
Are you one of many entrepreneurs just starting out? Get inspired with these 35 business ideas and start your business journey on the right foot.

How to Get a Business License in Alaska
Alaska requires one general state business license for nearly every business. See the exact fees, the Fairbanks exception, and what skipping it costs you.

How to Get a Business License in Oklahoma
Not sure which license your Oklahoma business actually needs? Learn about the state permit, city rules, profession-specific licenses, and real costs and more!


How the SBA's Women's Business Centers Can Help Boost Your Small Business
Get valuable support from SBA Women’s Business Centers through business advising, training, mentorship, networking, financing guidance, and resources for growth.

How to Show Your Support for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Find meaningful ways to support women-owned businesses, from shopping with female-led brands and sharing reviews to offering mentorship, networking, and resources.

Funding: How to Start a Nonprofit When You Have Little Money
Explore how to start a nonprofit with limited funds, including budgeting, research, business planning, board fundraising, grant options, donations, and strategies to launch successfully.


How to Get a Business License in California
California has no statewide business license across its 482 incorporated cities. Learn how to use CalGold to find your exact city, county, and state rules.

How to Apply for a Business License in Florida
Florida doesn't issue a single business license the way you might expect. There's no one form, office, or fee that covers you statewide.

Trademark vs. LLC: Which Should You Get First?
Stuck choosing between an LLC and a trademark? Here is the exact order to file them in, what they actually protect, and how to keep your business safe.

How Obtaining Business Funding Has Evolved Over the Past Decade
The way small businesses get funded has changed dramatically. From the rise of fintech and crowdfunding to alternative lenders and microloans, today's entrepreneurs have more options than ever.

How To Change A Registered Agent For An LLC Or Corporation
If your current registered agent setup feels messy, unreliable, or too exposed, changing it is one of the simplest ways to regain control.

On the Rise: These Cities Have the Highest Potential for New Business Growth
With just the right combination of factors, these are the cities where future business ventures are expected to thrive.


How to Get a Business License in New Mexico
New to running a business in New Mexico? See exactly which state, city, and industry registrations you need, in what order, and what each one costs.

Do Single Member LLCs Need Operating Agreements?

How to Start a Business in Florida
Ready to start a business in Florida? Here is the simple, step-by-step guide to handling Sunbiz filings, registered agents, taxes, and permits.


How to Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
An EIN is a nine-digit federal tax ID that every registered business needs to operate, bank, and hire legally. Applying is free and takes just minutes online.

How To Start A Business In West Virginia
West Virginia offers low filing fees, a flat 6.5% corporate tax, and a One Stop portal for registration. See the full step-by-step guide.

Can An LLC Be A Nonprofit? How To Convert To A 501(c)(3)
Shifting from a profit-driven LLC to a purpose-led 501(c)(3) requires a strategic legal pivot. Learn how to reconstruct your entity and secure tax-exempt status.


9 Green Small Business Ideas You Can Start Today
Discover nine green small business ideas, including package-free retail, eco-friendly cleaning, sustainable farming, restaurants, landscaping, and construction.

How to Get a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania
It’s essential to fulfill your Pennsylvania registered agent requirements and stay compliant with the Secretary of State.

Should Artists Start an LLC?
An artist should consider forming an LLC once their creative work moves beyond casual sales and involves real business risk. But how do you know when you've reached that tipping point?


How To Dissolve An LLC In New Jersey
Closing a New Jersey LLC? Learn the good standing rules, the Certificate of Cancellation form, and fees to dissolve safely.

7 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Your Own Registered Agent
Being your own registered agent can risk privacy, missed legal notices, compliance issues, and penalties. A professional service helps protect your LLC.

Swyft Filings Vs. LegalZoom: Which LLC Formation Service Is Right For You?
Swyft Filings and LegalZoom are both business formation services, but they're built for very different buyers. Our review compares their LLC services in detail!


What Is a DBA? A Complete Guide to Doing Business As
You want your business to have a real name. A name people can find, trust, and pay. But the paperwork seems confusing. That is where a DBA comes in.

A Complete Guide On How To Create An LLC For Free
Form your LLC for $0 by doing the paperwork yourself! You only pay your state's mandatory filing fee. Learn how to skip the extra costs and save money today.

What Is a Nonprofit Organization? A Complete Guide (2026)
A nonprofit organization (NPO) is a legal entity formed to advance a mission, social, educational, charitable, religious, or public, rather than to generate profits for owners or shareholders.


How Much do the "Twelve Days of Christmas" Cost in Your State?
To estimate the cost of all gifts listed in the "Twelve days of Christmas" by state, Swyft Filings referred to the most recent data from small businesses, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Best City in Each State to Start a Business
Based on the most recent data, these are the best cities in each state to start a new business.

Entrepreneurship Hotspots of the United States: The Top Cities Encouraging New Business Growth (2023)
The appeal of starting a business is substantial anywhere, but its location can often play a pivotal role in its survival and success.

Top 10 Ways to Start Your Business and Form an LLC
Explore the top ways to start an LLC, from online formation and registration to choosing the right structure, protecting your business, and building trust.
How to Choose the Right Registered Agent Service
The right registered agent should meet state requirements, receive legal documents, protect the address used in the registered agent field, and provide clear pricing.


States with the Largest Job Increases Over the Last 20 Years
How many jobs has your state's economy added in the last two decades? Relying on the most recent federal data, Swyft Filings ranked all 50 states and Washington D.C.

Cities with the Most Competitive Office Lease Markets
Despite higher interest rates, a slowing economy, and shifting work habits, the office lease market in these 35 cities remains strong.

Book Your Free Consultation Or Call Today!
Don’t waste time with anyone else. Call us first, and we will help you seek fair and just compensation.












