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Thursday, November 12, 2020
Google is Forcing a Major Shift in My Blogging Strategy
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MyCompanyWorks Review
MyComanyWorks has been around for nearly two decades. Over the years, they’ve helped form 60,000+ businesses across a wide range of industries in all 50 states.
They provide business formation services for LLCs, C Corporations, and S Corporations. The platform’s simplicity, low cost, and ease of use are just a handful of reasons why it’s so popular.
Is MyCompanyWorks right for you?
This guide takes a deeper look at the business formation services offered by MyCompanyWorks. You’ll learn more about the benefits, pricing, plans, and insights from real customers. By the end of this article, you can make an informed decision to determine if MyCompanyWorks is right for your business formation needs.
Ready to get started? Sign up for MyCompanyWorks today!
MyCompanyWorks Business Formation Services
While MyCompanyWorks has a wide range of offerings, the business formation services are definitely the most popular. These services can be broken down into three main categories—LLC services, incorporation services, and registered agent services.
We’ll take a closer look at each one of these below.
MyCompanyWorks LLC Services
The limited liability company (LLC) services provided by MyCompanyWorks are definitely the most popular—and for good reason.
Even if it’s your first time starting a business, going through the formation process with MyCompanyWorks is about as easy as it gets. Just head to their website, choose LLC from the entity type dropdown menu and select your state.
The online form is super simple. MyCompanyWorks just asks for basic information like:
- Company name
- Purpose of your LLC
- Contact information
- Shipping address
- Name and address of registered agent
- Name and address of LLC members
That’s it! They’ll handle everything from here. MyCompanyWorks will complete your LLC formation documents and file them with your state. They’ll also provide you with post-formation paperwork like a personalized operating agreement and more. MyCompanyWorks even gives you a new LLC handbook and startup checklist with details for things like business licenses, sales tax permits, and hiring employees.
There are three different LLC formation packages for you to choose from:
- Basic — Starts at $79 + state fees
- Entrepreneur — Starts at $199 + state fees
- Complete — Starts at $279 + state fees
All plans come with the essentials, like unlimited name availability search, preparation and filing for articles of organization, personalized LLC operating agreement, same-day processing, unlimited phone and email support, free company alerts, and online document access.
Unlike other LLC formation services on the market today, MyCompanyWorks doesn’t charge you extra to expedite the filing process. All orders submitted by 3 pm EST are processed the same day. Orders submitted after that will be processed the next business day.
The entry-level Basic package does not come with the ability to obtain an EIN/tax ID. But you can add that to your plan for just $49.
Alternatively, you can upgrade to the next tier. In addition to the EIN, the Entrepreneur package comes with an LLC kit, LLC seal, and LLC member certificates. You’ll also get lifetime access to 200+ updated business forms for contracts, meetings, leases, DBAs, and more.
The top-tier Complete package comes with registered agent services as well. We’ll discuss this in greater detail later on.
MyCompanyWorks has 3,000+ verified customer reviews on its website. 99% of those customers gave a 4 or 5-star rating. Let’s take a closer look to see what those people have to say about their experience.
Most of the reviews echo these same remarks. Customers love the simplicity and low costs associated with the LLC services from MyCompanyWorks. Another recent review explains how the customer needed some documents delivered on an urgent basis, and MyCompanyWorks did what was necessary to provide the documentation on time.
If you’re using MyCompanyWorks to form your LLC, you’ll love the platforms Startup Wizard. This interactive online dashboard walks you through the step-by-step process of forming your company.
The Startup Wizard comes free with all LLC formation plans.
MyCompanyWorks Incorporation Services
You can also use MyCompanyWorks to incorporate a C-Corp or S-Corp.
While these services aren’t quite as popular as its LLC services, it’s still a viable option for any entrepreneur or business owner that needs to incorporate.
The incorporation services are actually fairly similar to the LLC formation services, with a few minor differences.
You’ll still get the free startup wizard, unlimited name availability search, same-day processing, online order tracking, online status updates, unlimited support, free company alerts, online document access, and lifetime “My Account” access.
Incorporation packages also come with personalized corporate bylaws, the new corporation handbook, and the option for a kit with corporate seals and corporate stock certificates.
The pricing is identical to the LLC services. You can choose between Basic ($79 + state fees), Entrepreneur ($199 + state fees), or Complete ($279 + state fees).
An EIN comes standard with the Entrepreneur package, and the Complete plan also provides registered agent services (more on this shortly).
What are customers saying about the incorporation services from MyCompanyWorks?
Instead of referring to the reviews directly from their website, I checked out some third-party review platforms. They have a 4.9/5-star rating Shopper Approved.
Similar to the LLC services, the reviews for MyCompanyWorks incorporation services are generally positive. Most point to how easy and informative the process was.
Seamless, reliable, and straightforward were some of the most common words tossed around in those reviews.
Some of the unfavorable reviews pointed to the price. A few people were annoyed about the up-sells. But not many complaints were tied directly to a poor experience with the service itself, which is good news.
If you’re forming a corporation and want to avoid the legal fees associated with hiring an attorney, MyCompanyWorks is a viable solution to consider.
MyCompanyWorks Registered Agent Services
Every business is required to have a registered agent. So if you’re using MyCompanyWorks to form your LLC or corporation, it makes sense to get the registered agent services from them as well.
With that said, these services are also popular for existing businesses that want to switch registered agents.
These services are available throughout the country, in all 50 states. So regardless of your state of formation or entity type, you can trust MyCompanyWorks as your registered agent.
You’ll benefit from services like:
- Service of process
- Annual report notices
- Tax notices
- Statutory compliance
- Mail acceptance
- Notifications when forms and documents are received
- Online access
- Extra level of privacy between you and your business
MyCompanyWorks charges $99 for its registered agent services. This is included in the Complete formation package (for $279 + state fees).
Another unique standout of the registered agent services from MyCompanyWorks is the way they make it easy for existing business owners to switch. Unlike other service providers on the market, MyCompanyWorks doesn’t impose a change of agent fee.
So what are customers saying about the registered agent services from MyCompanyWorks?
All of the reviews that I skimmed through were positive. Most mention the exceptional support and ease of use. As with most services, there are a handful of less than favorable remarks. A few customers weren’t happy with the fact that they had to pay extra for the registered agent services (they must be on the Basic or Entrepreneur plans).
While it’s true that some business formation services include a registered agent with all plans, it’s not really the industry standard. But I couldn’t find any complaints directly tied to the registered agent service itself.
Whether you’re starting a new business or need a change of agent, MyCompanyWorks should be a top choice for you to consider for registered agent services.
Overall Pricing and Value
We’ve mentioned the pricing for MyCompanyWorks a handful of times throughout this guide. But I want to take a moment to provide you with an in-depth look at the packages. Whether you’re using MyCompanyWorks to form an LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp, these will be your options:
Basic — Starts at $79 + state fees
- Unlimited name availability search
- Articles of organization preparation and filing
- Personalized organizational minutes
- Personalized operating agreement
- Personalized corporate bylaws (for corporations)
- Online order tracking and status updates
- Same-day processing (on business days before 3 pm EST)
- Company alerts
- New LLC handbook
- New Corporation handbook
- Online document access
- Lifetime “My Account” access
- Free ebook for startups
Entrepreneur — Starts at $199 + state fees
- All Basic services
- Obtain federal tax ID (EIN)
- LLC kit, seal, and member certificates
- Corporate kit, corporate seal, and corporate stock certificates
- Lifetime of updated business forms from MyCompanyForms
Complete —Starts at $279 + state fees
- All Entrepreneur services
- Registered agent services
The state fees are automatically calculated when you select your entity type and state. Here’s an example of what you’ll see for LLCs in Colorado:
There’s another service called MyCompanyWorks Premium, for $99 per year. It’s not specific to any entity type. This is a managed service for annual reporting, a compliance dashboard, resolutions manager, unlimited custom alerts, business entity monitoring, and priority support.
MyCompanyWorks Premium is great for new businesses and existing businesses alike.
Registered agent services start at $99 per year.
In terms of value, MyCompanyWorks hits the mark in terms of available services. But you do need to pay extra for a handful of things. For example, other providers on the market offer registered agent services with all plans. Some even give you your first year for free. A registered agent from MyCompanyWorks only comes standard with the Complete package.
Additionally, MyCompanyWorks Premium is another extra that would be nice if it were included with at least one of the packages. But you need to add it on to every plan. With that said, it’s well worth the cost for the benefits.
User Experience
The user experience with MyCompanyWorks can be summed up in a single word—seamless. From the second you land on the website you’ll find a clean interface as you’re choosing a plan and beginning the process.
It’s really easy to fill out the initial forms. You’ll also benefit from the platform’s Startup Wizard.
The Startup Wizard comes for free with every formation plan. It’s an advanced version of a web-based checklist. But it’s personalized based on your specific plan, business, and entity type.
For example, let’s say you’re filing an LLC in the state of Nevada. The checklist would be tailored with the exact steps required for this state, plus other helpful startup tasks.
It’s a visual representation of your progress tracking (0-100%) that’s updated in real-time as you complete steps. You’ll also get a weekly email reminder that includes an attached PDF with a detailed summary of the remaining steps.
For those of you who are using MyCompanyWorks to form multiple companies, the Startup Wizard is a simple way to stay organized as you progress through the steps with each business.
After you’ve finished forming your LLC or corporation, you can continue using MyCompanyWorks to access documents and manage your registered agent services.
Customer Support
Support is another crucial component of evaluating a business formation service.
Right away, I love the fact that MyCompanyWorks offers same-day processing. All orders submitted by 3 pm EST are processed the same day. If you submit an order after 3 pm, your information will be processed on the next business day. So many other formation services out there wait days or even weeks to start processing paperwork.
The customer service keeps people coming back. As you can see from this verified review below, some customers continue using MyCompanyWorks to form multiple companies because they were so happy with the excellent service.
For those of you who are looking for even better service, you’ll likely want to consider MyCompanyWorks Premium.
This add-on for $99 per year comes with a managed annual report service, a compliance dashboard, custom alerts, business entity monitoring, online certifications, and more. You’ll also benefit from priority phone and email support (average response time under 2 hours).
MyCompanyWorks also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re unhappy with any of the services, you may be entitled to a full refund if you submit a request within 90 days of signing up. The refund is good for all MyCompanyWorks fees (state fees are nonrefundable).
Final Verdict
Do we recommend MyCompanyWorks? Absolutely.
They have an extensive list of service offerings in the business formation category. It’s a great option for LLCs, C-Corps, and S-Corps, alike. We also recommend the registered agent services.
Overall, the platform is simple and cost-effective. It’s a popular alternative to hiring an attorney to form your business.
Even business owners who have already incorporated switch to MyCompanyWorks for their registered agent. There’s no additional fee for changing agents.
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The Best HR Software
Want to jump straight to the answer? The best HR software for most people is Gusto or BambooHR.
The best HR software provides employees with the tools they need to manage company policy, compliance, scheduling, and more.
When HR solutions were first released, it was typically licensed as on-premise software. But today, cloud-based technology has made it much easier for businesses to attain and use HR tools to streamline their processes.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to switch from your existing HR solution, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll help you find the best HR software for your business.
The 7 Best HR Software
After researching dozens of HR solutions on the market today, I’ve narrowed down the top seven that you should consider:
- Gusto – Best HR software for small business payroll.
- BambooHR – Best human resources management systems
- Sage Business Cloud People – Best for multinational organizations
- Zenefits – Best all-in-one human resources software
- Namely – Best HR software for mid-sized companies
- SAP SuccessFactors – Best HCM software suite
- People HR – Best for applicant tracking and recruitment
Continue below to learn more about the features, benefits, prices, use cases, and potential drawbacks of each one on the list.
#1 – Gusto — Best HR Software For Small Business Payroll
- Trusted by 100k+ businesses
- Payroll and benefits
- Manage compliance
- Month-to-month pricing
Gusto is best known for its online payroll services. But the platform also has additional HR features, making it perfect for startups and small businesses.
More than 100,000 small businesses trust Gusto for payroll and HR.
The platform is super easy to use. Business owners who are managing payroll and HR on their own without a dedicated department can still navigate through Gusto with ease.
Gusto automatically calculates and files local, state, and federal taxes. It seamlessly integrates with tools like Quickbooks, Xero, Clover, TSheets, and more.
Gusto allows you to also manage health insurance. There are more than 3,500 medical, dental, and vision plans available through Gusto’s licensed advisors. Other employee benefits options available on Gusto include 401(k) retirement, 529 savings, workers’ compensation, HSA, life and disability, commuter benefits, and more.
Use Gusto to manage compliance for things like HIPAA, COBA, Department of Labor, IRS, ACA, and ERISA.
Here’s a quick overview of Gusto pricing:
- Core — $19 per month + $6 per person
- Complete — $39 per month + $12 per person
- Concierge — $149 per month + $12 per person
Gusto also has a free plan for businesses that haven’t hired W-2 employees. You can use Gusto to pay 1099 contractors for just $6 per month per person.
All Gusto pricing is month-to-month, so you can can cancel at any time without a long-term commitment. Get started here.
#2 – BambooHR — Best Human Resources Management System (HRMS)
- For small and medium businesses
- 1.56+ million active employees
- Great mobile app
- 7 day free trial
For businesses seeking a complete HRMS solution, BambooHR will be a top choice for you to consider.
This software is trusted by more than 17,000 companies and has 1.56+ million active employee users for very good reason.
BambooHR places a big emphasis on your employees. The software specializes in hiring, onboarding, compensation, and company culture.
Designed for small and medium businesses, the solution makes it easy for business owners and HR departments to collect, maintain, and analyze data about their employees. This information will ultimately help the way you hire new talent and create a culture that empowers your team.
They also offer an excellent user interface. That way even the newest employee can learn the ropes quickly.
Some of the top features offered by BambooHR software include:
- Employee records
- Benefit tracking
- Time off management
- Company calendar
- Onboarding and offboarding
- Applicant tracking system (ATS)
- Training
- Company branding
- Advanced HR reporting
- Tailored workflows and approvals
BambooHR also has an exceptional mobile app that’s ideal for employees and HR administrators alike. You can purchase add-ons for things like performance management and time tracking.
Pricing for BambooHR is not available online. You’ll need to contact their sales team to get a quote.
Unfortunately, payroll isn’t available for this software. So you’ll need to run your payroll elsewhere. Check out our guide of the best online payroll services for some guidance in that department.
Try BambooHR free for seven days.
#3 – Sage Business Cloud People — Best For Multinational Organizations
- Made for mid-sized businesses
- Supports international employees
- Local and national compliance
- Easy to scale
Sage offers a wide range of products for businesses from accounting tools to management and more.
The company’s Sage Business Cloud People is an ultra-specific HR solution. It’s designed for medium businesses with a global presence.
Sage makes it easy to manage HR for employees across the world. They help you create a single global policy for your entire organization while remaining compliant with all local and national regulations.
So it doesn’t matter if you have employees in Chicago and Singapore—Sage has your back.
The platform is ideal for businesses with 200 to 5,000 employees. Small businesses should look elsewhere for HR needs.
Sage is robust enough to scale with your medium-sized company as it grows. It has everything you need to attract, maintain, and manage your workforce at a global level.
Compared to other HR services on the market today, the setup for Sage Business Cloud People is a bit complex. They advertise as offering “rapid implementation,” but if you read the fine print, it says you can go live in as little as 90 days.
Three months is a long time to get set up. So if your HR needs are time-sensitive, this platform probably isn’t for you.
Pricing for Sage Business Cloud People is not available online. Contact their sales team to book a free demo.
#4 – Zenefits — Best All-In-One Human Resources Software
- All-in-one HR solution
- Starting at $8 per month
- Free payroll for one year
- 14 day free trial
>> Compare Quotes
Zenefits is trusted by 11,000+ businesses and used by more than 400,000 employees.
Where they really shine though is their all-in-one HR solutions. Zenefits provides features for compensation packages, employee onboarding, PTO management and requests, employee management, and more.
The provide built-in compliance features and safeguards to help you prevent accidental mistakes. The software automates the majority of compliance tasks and government filings as well.
With Zenefits, you’ll be able to increase employee productivity throughout your organization. Your staff can use Zenefits for things like self onboarding, choosing benefits, and signing documents.
Here’s a quick overview of the plans and pricing for Zenefits:
The rates are affordable. Also, depending on the size of your organization and the needs of your HR department, there’s a plan for everyone.
Payroll is not included in any of the base plans, but you can add it on for $6 per employee.
For a limited time, Zenefits is offering one free year of payroll to help small and midsize businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some restrictions; for example, you must sign up for an annual HR subscription plan.
Try Zenefits free for 14 days.
#5 – Namely — Best HR Software for Mid-Sized Companies
- Made for mid-sized businesses
- Easy to scale
- Built-in payroll processing
- Lots of integrations
>> Compare Quotes
Namely is a full-service HR solution for mid-sized organizations.
It’s trusted by 1,400+ businesses, so it’s not quite as popular as some of the other options on our list. But don’t let that number fool you. Namely’s HR solution has everything you need to manage a mid-sized HR department at scale.
With Namely, you’ll benefit from core features like:
- Employee management
- Onboarding
- Talent management
- Benefits administration
- Payroll
- HR compliance
- Analytics
- Recruiting
- Time and attendance
- Benchmarking
The software processes over $10 billion in payroll each year, so it’s great to have that feature built-in.
You’ll have access to live HR advisers, a learning management system, a living handbook, and OSHA logs to manage your HR compliance. Namely has enhanced services for things like benefits consulting as well.
The software is easy to use, and employees love it. Accessing pay stubs and requesting time off is just a few clicks away from the web portal or mobile app.
On average, HR departments save 11 hours per week by switching to Namely. Imagine how much more productive you could be with an extra 572 hours per year to spare.
Namely integrates with third-party tools for things like applicant tracking, e-sign, time and attendance systems, background checks, international payroll, and more. If you’re using already using a tool and can’t find it on the pre-built list of integrations, you can build your own through the secure Namely API.
Pricing for Namely HR is not available online. You’ll need to request a free demo and quote.
#6 – SAP SuccessFactors — Best HCM Software Suite
SAP SuccessFactors specializes in HR software for HCM (human capital management). They put a unique twist on HCM and HRMS with the SAP SuccessFactors HXM suite.
If you’re not familiar with the acronym HXM, it’s probably because it isn’t an industry term. SAP coined the phrase “Human Experience Management” for this product suite.
This cloud-based human resources software is segmented into four different categories of products:
- Employee experience management
- Core HR and payroll
- Talent Management
- HR analytics and workforce management
As you can see, the product suite covers everything your HR department could possibly need.
The platform is robust and feature-rich, but it’s likely overkill for most small businesses. I’d recommend SAP SuccessFactors to larger organizations and SMEs. A small and mid-sized enterprise would benefit more from some of the advanced features offered in this product suite, especially in terms of analytics and workforce management.
Pricing for SAP SuccessFactors is not available online. You’ll need to contact the customer service team via phone, email, or live chat to get more information.
#7 – People HR — Best For Applicant Tracking and Recruitment
- Applicant tracking system
- Starts at $5 per month
- Secure top-level talent
- Essential HR features
>> Compare Quotes
The People HR software is best known for its applicant tracking and talent recruitment features. But it also has a wide range of human resources essentials that you can benefit from. This UK-based company provides HR services to companies throughout the world.
In terms of the HR essentials, People HR provides features for:
- Automating repetitive HR tasks
- Centralized employee information hub
- Vacation planning and absence management
- Timesheets and time recording
- Expense reporting and approvals
Payroll is not built-in to People HR, but the software integrates with ADP, Sage Payroll, Ceridian, and Activpayroll.
The ATS (applicant tracking system) is the feature that really makes People HR shine. It allows you to easily attract, identify, and secure top-level talent. Publish open positions, screen for talent, manage your shortlist, and send an offer directly through the platform.
Here’s a quick overview of the plans and price points for People HR:
- Team — $5 per employee per month
- Professional — $6 per employee per month
- Enterprise — $8 per employee per month
- Elite — $10 per employee per month
As you can see, the rates are extremely affordable, even for smaller organizations. Although it’s worth noting that the recruitment and applicant tracking features aren’t available in the Team or Professional plans. You’ll need to upgrade to Enterprise or Elite to access those features.
Try it for free; no credit card required.
What is HR software?
Human resources software helps businesses of all sizes manage various aspects of HR processes. From employee onboarding to payroll, benefits, training, and more, HR software makes everything easier for your HR staff and employees alike by giving you the tools you need.
Without HR software, organizations face a bottleneck in the HR department. The only way for employees to access information is by calling HR, sending an email, or physically visiting the HR office.
These scenarios aren’t realistic for the modern workforce, especially with so many people working remotely or in the field.
How to Find the Best HR Software For Your Business
With so many HR solutions on the market today, finding the best option for your business can feel like a daunting task.
Fortunately, I’ll explain what factors and elements you need to take into consideration as you’re evaluating prospective solutions. This is the methodology that we used to pick the winners on our list.
Business Size
The first way to narrow your options down is by the number of employees you have. Startups and small businesses with 20 employees won’t have the same needs as a company with 200 or 2,000 employees.
Startups and small businesses should look to solutions like Zenefits or Gusto. Namely and SAP SuccessFactors are better for medium businesses.
It’s important to make sure that your HR software can scale with you as your company grows.
HR Needs
What exactly do you need HR software for?
My needs might not be the same as yours. Not all software provides every single HR capability. So you need to identify the main reason why you’re seeking HR software.
For example, you won’t find payroll on the feature list for the majority of software on our list. In most cases, you’ll have to pay extra to get payroll on the few platforms that do offer it.
Other solutions address specific needs, like human capital management (HCM), applicant tracking systems (ATS), and human resources management system (HRMS). Some providers address ultra-specific needs, such as HR software for managing international employees.
Additional Features
In addition to your core needs, you should look to see what other additional features are offered by the software you’re evaluating.
Mobile apps and employee self-service tools are nice to have. Time tracking, time-off management, onboarding tools, and dozens of other features won’t necessarily fall into the “core HR” feature list. But they’re still great to have if you’re trying to optimize your HR department.
Just don’t let a long list of additional features distract from your primary HR needs.
Price
Most HR software is billed on a monthly basis per employee. These rates can start as low as $5 per employee per month.
Some platforms charge a base rate for your core plan, and then charge a per employee rate on top of it. Other software has different per employee rates based on the features available in the plan you select.
Not every HR solution has transparent pricing available online. In some cases, you’ll have to contact the sales team to request a quote and demo. Always test out the software with a free trial when its available before you commit to anything long term.
Conclusion
What’s the best HR software on the market today? Generally speaking, there is no “best for everyone” solution.
If your priority is small business payroll, choose Gusto. For a complete HRMS, try BambooHR or Zenefits. Mid-sized organizations should learn towards solutions like Namely. People HR is our top recommendation for applicant tracking and recruitment.
Check out SAP SuccessFactors for an HCM product suite. For mid-sized organizations with international employees, we recommend Sage Business Cloud People.
Regardless of your business size, industry, or HR needs, you can find what you’re looking for using this guide.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Best Registered Agent Services
Every state has a legal requirement for businesses to have a registered agent. This holds true for startups, small businesses, LLCs, and corporations alike.
What is a registered agent?
Registered agents are sometimes referred to as an “agent of process” or a “statutory agent.”
These services help to ensure full compliance with your state during the startup process and for the long-term of your operation as well. They are available during business hours to handle correspondence with government agencies on your behalf.
If your business gets sued, the physical address of your registered agent will be the place where this happens (instead of at the office in front of customers, employees, etc.).
Failure to maintain a registered agent service can be detrimental to your company. In some instances, the state can dissolve a business for letting their registered agent services lapse.
In some states, you can act as your own registered agent. But this means you’ll have to take on those responsibilities, and always be available during business hours. It also exposes personal details about yourself to the public, which most people want to avoid.
That’s why registered agent services are so popular. Whether you’re launching a new business or need to switch registered agents, this guide will help you find the best registered agent service for your business.
The Top 6 Best Registered Agent Services
After extensive research, we’ve narrowed down the top six registered agent services on the market today. This guide contains the benefits, plans, pricing, and additional services offered by each option on the list.
#1 – Northwest Registered Agent — Best For Customer Service
- Starts at $125
- Free mail forwarding
- Corporate guides
- Pre-filled state forms
With “registered agent” in the name, it’s no surprise to see Northwest Registered Agent rank so high on our list.
From starting your business to maintaining your business with corporate guides, the registered agent services from this provider are second to none. For LLCs and corporations alike, Northwest Registered Agent will be a top choice for you to consider.
They have everything you could possibly want or need in a registered agent service. The plan comes with benefits like:
- Pre-filled state forms
- Annual report reminders
- Document scanning and storage
- Self-service online access
- Free mail forwarding
- Same-day local scans
You’ll also get lifetime support from Northwest Registered Agent’s corporate guides. These business experts will help you start and maintain your business with assistance that goes beyond the traditional scope of a registered agent.
The service costs $125 per year. If you need a registered agent in five or more states, the rate drops down to $100.
#2 – Incfile — Best Free Registered Agent Services
- Free registered agent for 1 year
- Renews at $119
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Email and SMS alerts
Incfile is a business formation service with a wide range of offerings. It’s been used by more than 250,000 businesses over the past 15+ years.
One of the reasons why Incfile is so popular is because you can use them to get a registered agent for free.
That’s right. If you use Incfile to form your LLC or corporation, you’ll get a free registered agent for the first year.
They have an entry-level Silver package that literally costs $0. You only have to pay the state fees. The Gold and Platinum plans start at $149 and $299, respectively. But all three come with a free registered agent.
Here’s an overview of some of the features and highlights of Incfile’s registered agent service:
- Available to receive IRS mail correspondence and legal proceedings on your behalf
- Email and SMS notifications when documents are received
- 24/7 online access
- Simple and intuitive online dashboard
- Automatic mail forwarding
Incfile’s online dashboard definitely stands out from others on the market today. Between the mail forwarding and alerts, it’s really an exceptional service.
The standard price for Incfile’s registered agent service is $119. If you sign up for one of the business packages, your plan will renew at this rate after the first free year.
For those of you with an existing business, the change of agent fee from Incfile starts at $49.
#3 – Swyft Filings — Most Versatile Registered Agent Services
- Registered agents from $149
- Simple sign up
- Online document access
- Privacy and compliance ensured
Swyft Filings is another well-known and reputable name in the world of registered agents. They provide services for LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps, and nonprofits.
So regardless of your entity type, business size, or industry, this will be a top option for you to consider. Swyft Filings has registered agent services available in all 50 states.
Getting started is simple. Just fill out a quick questionnaire online to sign up. Once you’re registered, Swyft Filings uses automated technology that sends you timely reminders to ensure compliance.
The service starts at $149 and renews automatically. So you won’t have to worry about your service lapsing.
You only have to pay a flat fee and won’t have to worry about hidden costs or upcharges.
Swyft Filings makes it easy for you to view official documents that have been uploaded online by your registered agent. The service is secure, reliable, and protects your privacy.
It’s also worth noting that Swyft Filings has several different business formation plans for you to choose from as well. Those packages start at just $49 plus state fees. A registered agent is not included in those services.
#4 – ZenBusiness — Best Registered Agent Services For LLCs
- Starts at $99
- Included in formation plans
- Online document access
- Privacy and protection
ZenBusiness is one of the most popular and reputable names in the business formation space. While the company is definitely known best for its LLC formation services, they provide excellent registered agent services as well.
If you’re using ZenBusiness to launch your LLC, it makes sense to get a registered agent from them as well.
These registered agent services will ensure compliance for your LLC. It also adds a layer of privacy and protection to your business.
ZenBusiness will accept all important legal documents on your behalf. Everything will be uploaded to an organized online dashboard for you to view, print, or download at any time.
The registered agent services start at $99 per year.
But if you’re using ZenBusiness to start your business, their registered agent services are included with every plan. Those plans start at $129, so it makes sense to bundle the services together.
If you’re starting an LLC need and need a registered agent, look no further than ZenBusiness.
#5 – MyCorporation — Best For Small Businesses
- Starts at $120
- Free EIN filing with formation
- RA included with select formation packages
- Automatic renewals
MyCorporation has been around for more than 20 years. Since 1998, they’ve helped form 1+ million businesses across all 50 states.
As a pioneer and leader in this industry, the registered agent services from MyCorporation are perfect for small business startups.
Getting started is simple. Just navigate to the website and fill out a quick form online. MyCorporation has registered agent services for LLCs and corporations alike.
Here’s what you’ll get with this service:
- Accept official and legal documents on your behalf
- Organize your paperwork
- Pass legal documents to the business owner
- Added privacy
- Receive service of process for your company during legal action
The registered agent services at MyCorporation start at $120. The rate renews automatically every year. You can also add MyIncGuard to your plan, which comes with year-round reminders and tools.
For those of you starting a new business, the registered agent services come standard with the Deluxe and Premium packages. These start at $224 and $324, respectively. If you use MyCorporation to form your business, you’ll get a free EIN filing.
#6 – MyCompanyWorks — Best For Switching Registered Agents
- Starts at $99
- No change of agent fees
- Business formation for LLCs and corps
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
MyCompanyWorks is another popular choice in the business formation space. They provide formation services and registered agent services for LLCs, c-corps, and s-corps.
Since 2001, more than 60,000 businesses nationwide have trusted MyCompanyWorks for their services.
MyCompanyWorks offers registered agent services in all 50 states. I like MyCompanyWorks because they are so versatile. The services are great for anyone forming a new business as well as business owners who want to switch registered agents for their existing company.
Benefits of the registered agent services from this provider include:
- Ensure statutory compliance
- Receive mail on your behalf
- Simple online updating
- Instant notifications for delivery of process, forms, and more
- Additional layer of privacy between your personal information and business
The registered agent service starts at $99 per year.
If your business is already established and you’re looking to switch registered agents, MyCompanyWorks doesn’t charge extra fees for the change.
Registered agent services are also included in the Complete business formation package, starting at $279. Alternatively, you can add-on the service to any of the other formation plans, which start as low as $79.
MyCompanyWorks plans are backed by a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
How to Find the Best Registered Agent Services For You
Contrary to popular belief, not every registered agent service is the same. Some of these options are undoubtedly better than others. With so many choices to consider, narrowing down the best registered agent service for your business can be tough.
There are certain factors that you need to take into consideration as you’re evaluating different services. Keeping the following elements in mind as you’re browsing will make your life much easier:
Business Entity Type
What type of business are you starting? Or what type of organization do you currently have?
Most registered agents will work with all entity types, but some are clearly suited for one over another. LLCs might not use the same registered agent service as an S-Corp. Certain registered agents are better for nonprofits.
Do some digging to see what types of entities the registered agent you’re considering works with. If they work with businesses similar to yours, it should be a good fit.
Compliance
The best registered agent services will help you maintain compliance with state and federal law.
Look for a service that will send you reminders via text or email to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines or requirements. Some services will provide extra materials and compliance guides. It’s fairly easy to spot the difference between a registered agent service that just does the bare minimum and those that go the extra mile.
Privacy and Security
Privacy is one of the top benefits of a registered agent. The registered agent’s address will be listed as public record, not your home address or office address.
Legal documents and government correspondence can be facilitated through your registered agent. Some will offer mail forwarding as opposed to just mail storage. Others will securely upload documentation to an online dashboard for you to access remotely.
Business Formation Services
The vast majority of people seeking a registered agent service are starting a new business. It makes sense to use one company for both services.
In fact, many business formation services will provide you with an incentive to use them as a registered agent as well. Some will offer a free year of registered agent services when you sign up for a business formation plan.
If you already have an existing business and just need to switch registered agents, the business formation services won’t be as important to you.
Value
The price for registered agent services typically falls around $100 per year. You might find some that are $50 higher or lower. But generally speaking, you shouldn’t be paying significantly more.
Some businesses use their attorney as a registered agent. But that will be much more expensive compared to the services reviewed in this guide.
If you bundle your registered agent service with a business formation plan (as previously mentioned), it’s usually the best bang for your buck.
Support
Your registered agent should be there to provide you with assistance if you have questions or need help.
Whether it be over the phone, in person, or through an online portal, this is an important and often overlooked aspect of a registered agent service evaluation. I’d recommend reading customer reviews before you make a final decision. Most reviews will mention something related to support (whether it be good or bad). These remarks can help sway you in one direction or another if you’re on the fence between a few options.
Conclusion
What’s the best registered agent service? It depends on what you’re looking for.
Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for customer service, as they go above and beyond to satisfy your needs. Incfile offers free registered agent services when you sign up for a business formation package. Swyft Filings has plans to accommodate all business entity types.
If you’re forming an LLC, check out the registered agent services provided by ZenBusiness. Small businesses should look toward MyCorporation’s services. For those of you looking to switch registered agents, MyCompanyWorks does not impose a change of agent fee.
Regardless of your business type or needs, you can find the best registered agent service for you by following the recommendations in this guide.
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