Noah Zelvis – Page 3 – Management Library

December 11, 2022February 15, 2023

TruthFinder Review: Is it a Legit Background Check Service?

TruthFinder is a background check service you can use to uncover information about those around you. With so much false information floating around, it’s designed to help you decipher fact from fiction regarding a date, neighbor, or colleague. Read on to discover everything TruthFinder can do for you.

Run a Background Check with TruthFinder

Is TruthFinder Legit? – Our Verdict

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TruthFinder is perfect for anyone wanting to gather information on someone for personal reasons. With a single search, you can collect information on a new neighbor or track down a long-lost friend. It’s even possible to look yourself up to see if your data has found its way to the dark web.

Although you can’t run a report without a monthly subscription, TruthFinder lets you search as often as you want while your membership is active. Keep in mind that TruthFinder is not an FCRA-compliant service and can’t be used for employee, tenant, or lendee screening.

Proprietary dark web scanning
Reasonable pricing for phone number lookup service
Unlimited reports

Must get a monthly subscription, no individual reports
Only includes results from the United States
Over-the-top process to obtain results

TruthFinder at a Glance

TruthFinder is one of the best background check services allowing you to discover information on individuals you’d like to learn more about. It provides accurate details on a person’s history, criminal status, and current whereabouts.

The tool does beyond rudimentary scans, diving deep into the dark web for data that may come back to haunt you. If you’ve been subject to identity theft, it’s here your private information will come up for sale. Through routine self-searches, you can rest assured that your credit card and social security numbers are safe.

All searches are completely anonymous, and you can perform them from a computer or mobile device. TruthFinder’s personalized user interface keeps the process simple.

Although TruthFinder isn’t the cheapest option out there, the price makes sense for the amount of data you receive. You can’t perform single searches, but a one-month membership only costs $28.01. If you’re planning a lot of searches, you can save a few bucks by subscribing for two months at a time.

Run a Background Check with TruthFinder

Who TruthFinder is Best For

Anyone and everyone can use TruthFinder to uncover information about a particular person. At less than $30 per month, the price should be well within reach of the average searcher.

Because TruthFinder is not FCRA compliant, businesses, landlords, and financial institutions can’t use the service to play favorites with candidates.

Is TruthFinder Legit?

TruthFinder is a legitimate people search service that began conducting business back in 2015. Search results often come back accurate, and the information listed is up to date. It currently has a 4.4 rating on Consumer Affairs, and reviews on both the Google Play Store and Apple Store speak highly of what TruthFinder can do.

TruthFinder Cost

TruthFinder only has monthly memberships and does not allow one-off searches. Its pricing is not evident at first glance, and even its about section doesn’t reveal options.

You’ll have to run your first search to discover monthly fees, and at this point, you’ll be able to choose between a one-month or two-month subscription.

One-month subscription: $28.01 per month

Two-month subscription: $23.28 per month

If you hesitate on the membership screen, TruthFinder usually offers a special 5-day trial of all its services for just $1. After that, you’ll pay the full price for a monthly membership.

The reverse phone lookup is a separate feature that costs an additional $4.99 per month.

TruthFinder Features

TruthFinder has several cool features you can take advantage of as a subscriber. Let’s take a look at them now.

People Search

TruthFinder works surprisingly well at finding a friend or family member you’ve fallen out of contact with. With its search feature, you can enter the name and last known location of a person in question and let TruthFinder do the work for you.

As it looks through data, TruthFinder often prompts questions about the individual’s age, middle initial, or how you know the person. These pieces of information will help the service narrow its parameters and find what you’re looking for. You’ll need to stay close to your computer while the search is running in case a question pops up.

After a handful of minutes, you’ll see a list of people potentially fitting your candidate. Clicking on one of those names sends you to your report once you’ve agreed you’re not going to violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

On the other side of the search, you’re greeted with a wealth of information on your target. In this solitary location, you’ll uncover social media information, education and work history, past relationships, and even criminal records. It will also share any current addresses or contact information so you can get in touch.

You can use TruthFinder people search for more than just missing friends or relatives. The tool also works well for new neighbors or the love interest you met in person or online. Being in the know can help keep you and your family members safe.

Run a People Search with TruthFinder

Public Records Search

For a long time, the only way to look into public government records was through a formal request from your local courthouse. A single request could take days or even weeks to get one document from the county you’re looking for information from.

With TruthFinder, you can search for public records on an individual and get access to information from any courthouse in the country, all from your computer. You only have to know the name of the person you’re inquiring about. As with any search, the more information you have on someone, the better.

When your results come in, you’ll be able to immediately see any criminal activity he or she has engaged in the past. This includes arrest and criminal records, court cases, bankruptcies, and even outstanding warrants. These records will also reveal if the person in question is a sex offender.

Reverse Phone Lookup

Cell phone numbers aren’t as private as they used to be, leading to more frequent calls from unknown numbers. The TruthFinder reverse phone lookup lets you see who’s trying to get in touch.

Getting your results takes a few minutes, and you’ll want to stand by to click through various prompts and confirmations. Once on the other side of the search, you’ll have access to the caller’s name, location, and social media presence. If available, TruthFinder will even display satellite images of the person’s house.

TruthFinder will also share any information it has on the caller’s relatives or criminal record. If the phone number originates from a business, you’ll receive the company’s name, location, and any other data the site can dig up.

You can also use the TruthFinder reverse phone lookup to see who’s on the other end of the number your significant other is in contact with. It’s worth noting that TruthFinder doesn’t have access to phone conversations or text messages, but you can see the name and locations of the person on the other end.

Dark Web Search

While there are other background check sites out there, few have the power of the dark web search. TruthFinder’s comprehensive scan scours for any of your personal information out for sale on the dark web. The tool will let you know if you’ve been a victim of identity theft so you can lock down accounts and change information before it’s too late.

Online identity theft is at an all-time high, and it’s becoming increasingly easy for your private information to fall into the wrong hands. With one dark web search, TruthFinder will show you if your bank account, credit or debit cards, driver’s license, passport number, and more are accessible to miscreants. If your information comes up in a search, you’ll want to act fast to regain control of your identity.

Run a Dark Web Search with TruthFinder

Accurate Reports

Despite all the pomp and circumstance of getting your results, TruthFinder does an excellent job of finding accurate and up-to-date information on your search target. Just before you see your results, the site shows you an accuracy gauge based on what it could locate.

To that point, TruthFinder will always only be as accurate as the information found in the millions of databases it searches. It cannot come up with information that simply isn’t there.

TruthFinder App

The TruthFinder App puts the entire service at your fingertips, no matter where you may be. You can quickly check who’s on the other end of a phone call or look up the person you’re meeting for lunch while you’re on your way there.

You can download the app on both Android and iOS devices. TruthFinder reviews on each operating system receive high praise, with over 4.5 stars out of a possible 5.

Easy-to-Use Dashboard

No matter which device you prefer to run reports from, TruthFinder comes with a personalized dashboard for you to use. This layout makes it easy to run searches and track down information on the person in question. The interface is very intuitive, with specific search buttons laid out for you to choose from.

Search Anonymously

There can be some trepidation about running a search on someone online. After all, it could be catastrophic if that other person finds out.

Fortunately, TruthFinder lets you remain completely anonymous any time you run a report on an individual. The person will have no idea you looked them up or what information you were able to acquire. Such privacy when searching is a huge blessing, as many social media sites will inform others of your intent. Some platforms even require you to add the individual to your network to obtain information.

Protect Your Online Presence

If you can look up information on others, you’d better believe that people can look up information on you. TruthFinder allows members to opt out of searches by filling out an online form.

This means others using TruthFinder to look you up won’t be able to dig up any information on you. Note that this does not remove your data from the millions of records TruthFinder scans.

Alternatives to TruthFinder

There’s some strong competition for TruthFinder out there. If the service doesn’t appeal to you, consider one of these alternatives instead.

Intelius

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Intelius Review

Like TruthFinder, Intelius’s website is very easy to use. A single click can take you to background check, reverse phone lookup, or even a search by address. There’s no limit to the number of searches you perform in a month, but it can take a long time to get results.

Intelius offers a fast pass to cut the wait time down, but it begs the question of why scans can’t be fast in the first place. The fast pass is just one of many potential upcharges you may find yourself paying for.

Pricing options aren’t terribly clear, either. It’s hard to decipher just what information you’ll get from each of the packages listed on the site.

You can bundle reverse phone lookup and people search for $34.95 per month or address lookup and people search for $29.78 per month. Both come with week-long trials for just $0.95. There’s a standard people search option for $24.86 per month or $21.13 monthly if you pay in two-month increments.

Unlimited searches
The site is easy to navigate
Fast Pass for quick report access

Other services come with additional fees
Hard to understand pricing options
Not the most accurate results

Check Out Intelius

Instant Checkmate

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Instant Checkmate Review

Instant Checkmate is huge on government data, using billions of databases to come up with accurate background checks, including criminal activity on your target. Searches often come with detailed property data you won’t find elsewhere.

Like other people search sites, Instant Checkmate’s search process seems over the top. You can use advanced search filters to increase your chances of hitting the jackpot on pertinent information.

Membership fees with Instant Checkmate are the highest we’ve seen, perhaps due to the depth of government data it searches through. A single month will set you back $35.12, but you can reduce costs a bit by paying $28.09 monthly for a three-month subscription. Reverse phone lookup tools will cost you an additional $5.99.

Instant Checkmate does have dark web monitoring, but this is an extra $1.99 per month upcharge.

Accurate criminal and background checks
Searches come with property data
Advanced search filters

Overbearing search process
Expensive membership fees
No option to pay per report

Try Out Instant Checkmate

US Search

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US Search doesn’t have a pricing page, making it increasingly difficult to know what you’re going to pay for signing up. After running a test search, it appears you can perform a month’s worth of searches for just $19.86. Individual searches are an option, but each one can cost up to $3.

If you’re new to the people search game, US Search has a quick start wizard to walk you through the process. The site will ask poignant questions about your criteria to narrow down parameters and help you find what you’re looking for.

The platform is one of the few to offer a refund policy if you’re not enjoying your experience or getting the desired results. Simply call the customer service department at the number on the site and ask for a refund.

Quick start wizard
Reasonable cost for membership
Fair refund policy

Basic presentation
Lack of clear pricing
Available in the US only

Try Out US Search

Spokeo

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Spokeo Review

Spokeo advertises fast searches with over 12 billion records from thousands of data sources. You’ll only find information from U.S. sources, but this is an impressive number nonetheless.

Last time we checked, Spokeo offered a single month of unlimited reports for just $19.95 a month. If you know you’ll be searching for a while, you can get three months of results for just $14.95 per month.

It is possible to perform a single search while on Spokeo should a membership not interest you. You’ll pay $0.95 for the search, but Spokeo will automatically enroll you in a seven-day trial of its services. Be careful not to start paying for a membership if you don’t want to.

When you receive your results, Spokeo allows you to download the information to your computer for access at any time in the future. This service doesn’t even cost anything extra to use.

Reasonably-priced plans
Pulls from over 12 billion records
Unlimited PDF downloads

Lacks some government search information
Available in the US only
Vague pricing

Try Out Spokeo

TruthFinder Review – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In our FAQ section, we drill down on some of the most popular questions about the TruthFinder service. Have a look at the answers below.

What is TruthFinder?

TruthFinder is a people search tool you can use to track down old acquaintances or find out information about your date for the evening. It scans millions of records, providing accurate and up-to-date information on the person in question. The site is not FCRA compliant, however, meaning you can’t use it to uncover information about a potential employee, tenant, or lessee.

How much Does TruthFinder Cost?

A one-month membership to TruthFinder will run you $28.01. If you’d like to save a little cash, you can pay $23.08 monthly for a two-month membership.

How to cancel TruthFinder?

TruthFinder makes the cancellation process pretty straightforward. You can either log into your account and cancel online or by calling its member care center.

How accurate is TruthFinder?

The data TruthFinder locates is surprisingly accurate. The site often successfully tracks down new and old information on individuals to provide you a detailed window into their lives. It’s worth noting that TruthFinder is only as good as the data available. If the information isn’t out in cyberspace, TruthFinder won’t be able to find it.

How to remove your information from TruthFinder?

You can have your own information removed from a TruthFinder search after becoming a member. After looking yourself up, you just have to click the button that says “remove this record”. Once the process completes, others will no longer be able to access that information.

Bottom Line on TruthFinder

TruthFinder offers an accurate look into someone’s life, whether you’re curious about a new neighbor or want to find a friend from high school. The site scours millions of data points to provide you with everything from education history to criminal records.

It can even help keep your information safe by checking the dark web for stolen credit card numbers or personal identifiers. Using TruthFinder is safe and easy. Just be sure not to use the site for anything that violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Run a Background Check with TruthFinder Now

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

December 9, 2022February 22, 2023

Toast POS Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Delicious

Toast POS is point-of-sale software specific to the restaurant industry. Restaurants can use Toast to accept credit card payments, take customer orders, and allow seamless communication between front and back-of-house staff. Read on to see all the ways Toast POS can work for your business.

Get Toast POS for Your Restaurant

Our Verdict – Toast POS System Review

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Toast POS is an excellent point-of-sale software for any size restaurant. Startups can plug right into its free tier of service, and more established businesses have a handful of other plans to pick from. No matter what you choose, there’s 24/7 customer support available to help with issues.

Using the software does require proprietary Toast POS hardware, but Toast will give you the first terminal or handheld for free. While Toast’s plans include most features, restaurants interested in marketing or advanced management tools will need to pay extra for these add-ons.

Toast software displayed on several devices

Free tier of service
Commission-free online orders
24/7 customer support

Proprietary hardware
Limited options for reservations
Several costly add-ons

Toast POS at a Glance

Toast POS caters specifically to the food and beverage industry, choosing not to spread itself thin with other business types. Whether you run a food truck or fine dining, Toast POS has all the tools any restaurant needs to thrive.

It’s possible to use Toast POS without paying a cent with its impressive starter kit. Not only will you have access to several software tools, but the platform also sends a terminal your way free of charge.

Upgrading your plan unlocks new features as your restaurant demands them, such as online ordering and payroll. There are also plenty of hardware options to accommodate an expanding restaurant floor or busy back of the house.

Who Toast POS is Best For

Toast POS is one of the best POS software for small businesses with a completely free starter kit including both hardware and software. Established restaurants can work directly with the point of sale provider to build a package suitable to their needs. The system leaves plenty of room for expansion, offering tools for online ordering and a payroll platform for burgeoning restaurants.

Toast POS Cost

Toast has four price plans to choose from as your restaurant’s demands change. Check the chart below to see what each one offers:

Price

$0/month

$69/month

$165/month

$110/month

Order and Table Management

Menu Management

Reporting and Analytics

Terminals

Up to two

Custom

Payroll and Team Management

Payment Processing

2.99% + 15¢ per transaction

Online Ordering

24/7 Support

Unlike other point-of-sale services, Toast charges one flat rate across the board for payment processing. This takes some of the sting out of starting at a lower price point, although rates are still a bit high.

There are some fantastic benefits to using Toast POS, even at the free level. Even though Toast requires proprietary hardware, the company gives you a terminal just for signing up. Keep in mind you’ll have to pay for any additional terminals you may need. If choosing a higher tier, Toast POS will work with you to create a custom configuration.

Each plan gives access to order, table, and menu management tools you need to run an effective restaurant. You’ll also be able to review reports to see sales summaries and which products aren’t selling.

At $110 per month, the Restaurant Basics package adds in team management tools for scheduling and payroll. It also includes business insurance and a 401k package exclusively for Toast POS users.

If you plan to allow any online ordering, you’ll need to invest in the Essentials package. For $165 per month, the Toast POS system will connect you to customers via the web and provide delivery service options as well.

Get Started with Toast POS Now!

Toast POS Features

Toast POS has an assortment of features that makes it a top restaurant POS software. Let’s check out some of the top ones now.

Order and Table Management

Whether you’re running a fancy sit-down or fast casual, Toast POS has the order tools for you. You can take orders from customers at a counter through terminals or have guests place their own orders through self-ordering kiosks.

Handheld tech lets you take and send orders from the table, enabling your staff to spend more time with customers. Flex tablets track orders for the back of the house, allowing for efficient food prep and speedy order completion. The software also makes it possible to assign tables to different servers to avoid confusion.

Menu Management

All Toast POS software connects to the cloud, so you can access and modify your menu from any location. As you make updates, you’ll see changes appear in real time both in your physical restaurant location and online.

You can also track and manage item availability with to-the-minute countdowns. All your servers and kitchen staff will know the moment you run out of a menu item to avoid frustration from customers.

Toast POS Hardware

There are a slew of Toast POS hardware options for your restaurant to choose from. When signing up for the free starter kit, you’ll receive your very own Toast Flex for orders and system management.

Other Toast POS plans allow for a customized hardware setup, including kiosks for customers to order from and portable devices servers can use at tables. Your kitchen staff can use wall-mounted or standalone tablets to view orders for prep.

Toast makes devices for all restaurant types, and each is designed to withstand the rigors of the industry. Machines come spill and temperature resistant and are able to adjust to match your decor.

Reporting and Analytics

Knowing your restaurant’s performance is a key indicator of success. No matter where you are, you can log into the Toast POS system to receive various reports and analytics.

If you have multiple locations, Toast POS will show you an overview of each one. You can see labor costs, sales numbers, and how each restaurant performs. It’s possible to view a sales summary over any time period to see if a particular promotion worked or if items sold at different price points.

You’ll know at a glance what’s working and what isn’t, so you can make adjustments to menu items or prices on the fly. By identifying areas of improvement, you can stop throwing money away and start making more than ever before.

Payroll and Team Management

Toast’s team management tools are perfect for expediting employee onboarding and making scheduling a snap. You can build schedule templates and communicate directly with your staff from within Toast about last-minute changes or what your daily specials might be. The Toast POS system also adds in labor data to monitor employee time.

The same software has a built-in restaurant payroll system linking employee hours with wages so you don’t have to. You can use Toast POS to direct deposit funds into employee accounts or print checks for each one. Toast POS can remit federal and state information when tax time rolls around.

Online Ordering

Why limit your restaurant to a physical location? Toast POS has a robust online ordering system to connect with customers on the go. Online purchases have no commission fees, so your income doesn’t take a hit.

Customers can pick up orders curbside, or you can take advantage of Toast’s delivery service system. The Toast POS system locates local drivers for you and quickly gets your food into customers’ hands.

Email Marketing – Loyalty

Through Toast POS, your restaurant can run targeted promotions to current and potential customers. After building email marketing templates, you can set the system to send messages automatically so you don’t have to. At the end of the day, you can use Toast software to see how effective your campaigns are.

You can also use Toast’s loyalty programs to reward repeat customers. The software prompts customers to sign up, and loyalty members earn points for purchases they make. Information is saved within your Toast POS system and linked to customers through a credit card number.

Toast POS Customer Support

Toast won’t sell you some software and leave you high and dry. It offers team training and go-live support with experts who can design a system specific to your restaurant’s needs. Once live, you can contact Toast POS customer service 24/7/365.

Even after getting your system up and running, Toast has several training opportunities to hone your skills. There’s a massive database of information and interactive webinars throughout the year. You’ll also get sneak peeks at new products and offer feedback about what you use.

Get Started with Toast POS Now!

Alternatives to Toast POS

Toast POS may not be ideal for every restaurant. Here are a few alternatives to consider if it’s not for you.

TouchBistro

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Like Toast POS, TouchBistro is a restaurant-exclusive POS software with an assortment of tools for all restaurant types. The software relies on iPad devices, which can be considerably cheaper than Toast’s proprietary machines. Customer support is always on hand to help with issues.

Pricing with TouchBistro isn’t quite so clear. It will set you back $69 per month to get the basic package, and you’ll have to decide from there which other features you need. Each add-on increases your monthly cost.

Some features, such as email marketing and online ordering, have a substantial price tag that smaller businesses may not be able to afford. When you sign up, you’re committing to at least a year-long contract with TouchBistro.

Several restaurant POS tools
Works with iPad devices
Always available customer support

Minimum one-year contract
Nontransparent hardware and processing fees
Add-ons like online ordering are not cheap

Square POS

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Square POS Review

Square POS is a well-rounded point of sale system with plans dedicated to the food and beverage industry. Like Toast POS, Square has a free plan for newer businesses that comes with a card reader for in-person sales. Interestingly, Square POS includes online ordering in all its packages for no extra charge.

Once you outgrow the free plan, your next restaurant POS option costs $60 per month. Here, you’ll receive advanced features, mobile POS software, and finally have access to 24/7 support.

Square’s processing rates in person aren’t as bad as Toast, but online rates are significantly higher. There’s no way to make use of a third-party payment processor when dealing with Square, either.
It should come as no surprise that Square has several extra features you can add to your plan for an additional fee. Of these, the most notable are marketing tools. Read our Square POS review to find out more about it.

Basic plan is free to use
Free reader for in-person sales
Online ordering included in all plans

Must use Square’s payment processing
Processing rates are on the expensive side
Marketing tools cost extra

Lightspeed POS

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Lightspeed POS crushes inventory management with a robust system other point of sale services can’t compete with. It’s simple to track products across multiple locations, assign specific SKUs to items, and reorder supplies straight from the app.

Pricing for restaurant tools starts at $69 per month, but this package leaves out critical features like table ordering and floor plans. If you want access to all Lightspeed’s features, your monthly bill will surpass the $400 mark.

There’s some flexibility with hardware, but it’s a bit annoying that you have to contact customer service for a quote. Fortunately, Lightspeed POS has free onboarding assistance to ensure everything gets set up correctly the first time.

For those watching every penny (and who isn’t?), Lightspeed POS has lower payment processing rates than Toast. Lightspeed users also have access to a suite of eCommerce tools for online ordering.

Robust inventory management system
Free onboarding assistance
Lower payment processing fees

eCommerce platform not included in the basic tier
Must request a quote for hardware pricing
On the pricey side

Clover POS

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Clover POS has a series of plans specifically for quick service or full-service dining. Each option includes point-of-sale software and the hardware you’ll need to get up and running. Higher-priced tiers come with more hardware, but you can always purchase more to round out your setup.

Even the most basic quick-service dining plan starts at $90 per month and goes up from there. Full-service restaurants wanting all the fixings should expect to pay no less than $290 monthly. No matter which plans you end up choosing, your first month of service is entirely free.

If you’re keen on online ordering, Clover does have the capability for an online store. This feature is a costly add-on not included in any plan.

Of the restaurant POS services we’ve reviewed, Clover has the lowest payment processing rates for card-present transactions. A few tenths of percent savings on each purchase may not seem like a lot, but the savings add up fast.

Hardware included in each plan
First month of service is free
Low payment processing fees

Confusing pricing model
Some Clover partners may not do legitimate business
Keyed-in transactions have significantly higher processing rates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Want to learn more about Toast POS? Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about the point of sale provider.

Is Toast a good POS system?

Toast is definitely a good POS system. Even if you’re not ready to upgrade to a paid plan, you can access all the tools you need to run a business without having to pay a dime.

What percentage does Toast take?

No matter which Toast POS plan you choose, you’ll incur a 2.99% + 15¢ processing fee on each customer purchase. While not terribly unreasonable, rates are higher than some other point of sale providers.

Is Toast good for small business?

Toast POS is an excellent option for small businesses. Its starter kit is completely free and comes with the software and hardware you need to run a successful restaurant.

Can Toast POS work offline?

Toast POS can work even if you lose connection to the internet. Its offline mode allows you to take orders and credit card payments until you’re back online.

Bottom Line on Toast POS Review

Toast POS creates an interface between you and the customer, allowing you to take orders and credit card payments. The software facilitates communication between the front and back of house, expediting order turnaround and keeping customers happy. As your restaurant grows, Toast POS makes it easy to upgrade to online ordering, targeted marketing campaigns, and can even handle scheduling and payroll.

Get Started with Toast POS Now!

December 9, 2022March 25, 2023

6 Best Business Savings Accounts for April 2023

Businesses big and small need a savings account to generate interest and pull funds from on a rainy day. That said, some options stand head and shoulders above the rest. This article reveals the six best business savings accounts as we head into the new year.

Quick View on the Best Business Savings Accounts

Capital One Business Savings Account – Best Overall
NBKC Business Money Market – Best for Add-On Services
Bank of America Business Advantage Savings Account – Best for Rewards
Lili Automatic Savings – Best for Tax Optimization
Axos Bank Business Premium Savings – Best for Welcome Bonuses
U.S. Bank Basic Business Savings Account – Best for Lending Options

When checking out the best business savings accounts, we looked for any pesky fees and interest rates that serve to offset them. We also found it important to understand minimum deposit requirements at the time of opening and limitations on drawing money out. Finally, we looked for additional features that made a particular company stand out and how easy it was to use an account.

You can find a more detailed look at our methodology below.

Capital One Business Savings Account

$3 monthly service fee (waivable), $2 for out of network ATMs

0.20% APY

$250 minimum opening deposit

Up to 6 free each cycle

Overdraft coverage if linked to business checking

NBKC Business Money Market Account

None

1.26% APY

$0.01

6 free withdrawals each month

Four physical bank locations, additional banking services available

Bank of America Business Advantage Savings Account

$10 monthly service fee (waivable), fees for excessive deposits

Up to 0.04%

$100 to open account

Up to 6 transfers or withdrawals each monthly cycle, up to $1,000 in cash from ATM

Can set up automatic transfers, overdraft protection, rewards program

Lili Automatic Savings Account

$9 monthly service fee, $2.5 for out of network domestic ATMs, $5 for international

1.50% APY

$0.01

Maximum six withdrawals per month

Tax optimization software, fast enrollment, smart mobile banking, overdraft forgiveness

Axos Bank Business Premium Savings Account

$25 overdraft fee

Up to 0.20% APY

$25,000 minimum opening deposit

Up to 6 free withdrawals per statement cycle

$200 bonus for new business owners, ATM reimbursements, Quickbooks integration

U.S. Bank Basic Business Savings Account

Monthly maintenance fee (waivable), fees at out of network ATMs

0.01% APY

$500 minimum opening deposi

Limited to 6 withdrawals each month

More than 2,400 bank locations in 28 states

Business Checking Accounts That Earn Interest

Sometimes, you don’t have to look to business savings accounts to earn interest on your money. Some of the best business checking accounts offer APY on their own:

Bluevine Business Checking – 2.0% APY on balances up to 100k & Best Bank Account for LLCs
American Express Business Checking – 1.3% APY on balances up to $500k

Capital One Business Savings Account: Best Overall Business Savings Account

Monthly Fee: $3/month

★★★★★

4.7

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Capital One Business Savings Account Review

Capital One has a baseline APY of 0.20%, but many businesses can qualify for higher promotional rates for the first 12 months of use. There are only a handful of branch locations around the country, but the bank’s extensive ATM network more than makes up for it.

If you accidentally pull too much from your account, you’ll never have to worry about overdraft fees. Beware of the monthly account fee should you not be able to keep up with the requirements.

Why we chose it: Capital One’s large ATM network, minimal fees, and high promotional interest rates of up to $5 million make it one of the best online savings accounts for businesses.

High promotional interest rates
Does not charge overdraft fees
Large ATM network

Limited physical locations
Monthly account fee
Out-of-network ATM fees

Fees

You’re looking at a $3 per month service fee with Capital One if you can’t meet monthly criteria. Fortunately, this is no more difficult than having at least $300 in your business savings account at all times. For other fees, expect a $2 charge for out-of-network ATMs both in the United States and abroad.

Interest Rates

Capital One advertises a 0.20% interest rate as a current baseline to go off of when setting up your account. It’s possible to grab a promotional rate for your first year with the bank, although this amount seems to be on a case-by-case basis. Whatever rate you end up with, it’s good on balances up to $5 million. Any funds beyond that will receive a lower APY.

Minimum Deposit

It takes a $250 initial deposit to open a business savings account with Capital One. Once you’ve opened an account, you don’t need to maintain a set amount. If you can maintain a balance above $300, you won’t have to worry about monthly fees.

Withdrawals

Capital One gives six free withdrawals each payment cycle. Going over the limit can result in unsightly fees. For each withdrawal, you can take up to $600 out through an ATM at a time.

Additional Features

Besides a promotional interest rate for the first year, having a linked business checking account saves you from overdraft fees on your savings. Beyond that, Capital One works with business owners to find banking products that best suit their needs.

>>> Create Your Business Savings Account with Capital One

NBKC Business Money Market Account: Best Business Savings Account for Add-On Services

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.6

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NBKC Business Money Market Account Review

NBKC Bank loves offering a lot for very little. Its money market account has minimal fees to contend with across the board, so your money stays with you. Memberships unlock several add-on services you can build into your account, from fraud protection to invoicing. There aren’t any physical branches outside the Kansas City area, and the app lacks a few features. However, NBKC’s customer service more than makes up for it.

Why we chose it: NBKC Bank goes beyond traditional banking with professional invoicing, cash management, and several other powerful service options.

Many extra service options
Few fees to contend with
Excellent customer service

No physical bank branches outside of Kansas and Missouri
High international wire fees
Mobile app limitations

Fees

Good luck stumbling across a fee while using NBKC Bank. There’s no charge to open an account, maintain it, or if you have an overdraft. Furthermore, you aren’t penalized for returned checks, using a debit card, or depositing money into your business money market account. The only area you have to worry about is international wire transfers, which can set you back $45 a pop.

Interest Rates

NBKC Bank has a high-yield business savings account at 1.26% APY. Best of all, this rate remains whether you have a penny or millions stashed away.

Minimum Deposit

There are no requirements for opening or maintaining your money market account through NBKC Bank. You won’t ever encounter a fee for falling below a certain threshold, nor will your interest rate suffer.

Withdrawals

You can withdraw funds from your money market account up to six times per statement period. It’s possible to pull out up to $1,010 from an ATM each day as long as you have sufficient funds.

Additional Features

This is where NBKC bank really shines. As a traditional bank, it offers a multitude of banking services you can use with your business. These extend to invoice processing, cash management tools, and one-on-one service from industry experts. Anyone living in the Kansas City area can take advantage of these services from a physical branch location.

>>> Set Up Business Savings with NBKC

Bank of America Business Advantage Savings Account: Best Business Savings Account With Rewards

Monthly Fee: $10/month

★★★★★

4.5

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Bank of America Business Advantage Savings Account Review

The Business Advantage Savings account gives you the opportunity to level up your interest through various reward tiers based on your monthly balance. There are monthly fees, but it is possible to waive these through a handful of requirements. With thousands of branches and ATMs around the country, chances are you’ll never be far from one. This is a good thing, because transaction fees for using non-Bank of America ATMs can be high.

Why we chose it: Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program offers interest rate boosts and other incentives to serve your business.

Preferred rewards to boost interest rate
Over 17,000 ATMs and 4,300 branches
Can waive the monthly fee

Lacks 24/7 customer service
Monthly fees
Transaction fees when using non-Bank of America ATMs

Fees

Bank of America has a $10 monthly service fee for anyone unable to meet the requirements to have it waived. To qualify for free savings, you’ll need to do at least one of the following:

Maintain a $2,500 minimum daily balance
Include one Business Advantage Savings account as part of your Business Advantage Relationship Banking solution
Become a member of Preferred Rewards for Business

Otherwise, there are incremental fees if you deposit more than 25 items or over $5,000 in cash during a statement cycle.

Interest Rates

You’ll start off at 0.01% APY, no matter what your average daily balance is. Should you enroll in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you’ll be able to increase this rate as you move up the ladder. To be eligible, you must open a Bank of American business checking account and have an average daily balance exceeding $20,000 across your business deposit accounts.

Interest rates at higher tiers are:

Gold: 0.02%

Platinum: 0.03%

Platinum Honors: 0.04%

Minimum Deposit

To open a Business Advantage Savings account, you’ll need to make an initial deposit of at least $100. There’s no penalty for falling below this number, but there are plenty of perks for moving it higher. You can waive the monthly service fee or tap into high-interest rates if your balance is high enough. In case you missed it, we have also guide on how to open an EIN-only business bank account.

Withdrawals

When working with your savings account, you’ll have to limit withdrawals to six per payment cycle. The maximum amount you can withdraw from an ATM at a time is $1,000.

Additional Features

The Preferred Rewards program offers many benefits beyond an interest rate increase. You can earn discounts on auto loans and merchant services while cutting down on ATM fees just by moving up the ranks. Bank of America also protects your account from overdrafts and allows automatic transfers so you can maximize your interest.

>>> Save with Bank of America

Lili Automatic Savings Account: Best Business Savings Account for Tax Optimization

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.4

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Lili Automatic Savings Account Review

Lili’s all-in-one banking app is super simple to set up, rarely taking more than a few minutes to create your account. Although online-only, Lili has many great features, such as tax optimization software to help keep you in good standing with the IRS. To access business savings, you’ll have to sign up for Lili Pro, a premier service with a monthly service fee. Fortunately, this high-yield business savings account puts many other financial institutions to shame. By the way we also have reviews for other business savings accounts such as; Novo Review and Bluevine Review

Why we chose it: Lili’s checking and savings accounts come with personalized tax optimization tools to ensure you can file easily and without issue.

Tax optimization software
High yield business savings account
Quick enrollment

Must transfer money to savings every day
Monthly service fee
Low monthly transfer and deposit limits

Fees

It will cost you $9 per month to subscribe to Lili Pro, the mobile app’s advanced tier of service. There’s no way to remove this fee, and you’ll need a Lili Pro membership to open a business savings account. There are no additional charges for doing business, but watch out for $2.50 fees for domestic out-of-network ATMs and $5 for international ones.

Interest Rates

Lili is one of the top high-interest business savings accounts out there, offering up to 1.50% APY on funds located within. The rate actually went up from 1% at the beginning of the year.

Minimum Deposit

There’s no minimum deposit required to start a Lili business savings account. However, you will need to deposit at least $1 per day into your business savings account to keep it open. You can set this transfer to happen automatically so you don’t forget.

Withdrawals

Lili limits monthly withdrawals from your business savings account to just six. It can be challenging to move funds back to checking, and the process can take up to a week to complete. Make sure to plan ahead if you’re going to need to tap into what Lili calls an emergency savings account. When taking money out through an ATM, the cap is $500 per day.

Additional Features

Lili has cool tax optimization tools to help you save for the season. With it, you can categorize purchases, find your tax bracket, and file all from the app. Enrollment is lightning fast, and the smart mobile app makes it easy to bank from anywhere. There’s also overdraft forgiveness if you overstep the bounds of your account.

>>> Get Started with Lili Banking

Axos Bank Business Premium Savings Account: Best Business Savings Account for Welcome Bonuses

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.3

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Axos Bank Business Premium Savings Account Review

While most financial institutions stifle transfers, Axos offers a lot more leeway with up to 20 per month across your accounts. Anyone setting up an account for the first time can earn a $100 bonus for doing so, and new businesses may see up to $200 in free money. The Premium Savings account does have a hefty $25,000 initial deposit that some small businesses may not be able to afford, however.

Why we chose it: Axos allows more transfers than most other online savings accounts for businesses and has a nice welcome bonus for new owners.

Up to $200 welcome bonus
Allows 20 transfers per month
Integrates with Quickbooks

No cash deposits
High initial deposit required
Poor customer service

Fees

Axos Bank scoffs at fees, charging absolutely nothing for monthly maintenance nor costs should your balance fall below a certain threshold. This makes Axos the best free business bank account for cash deposits.

You’ll want to keep tabs on your finances though, as $25 for over drafting your account can be a punch in the gut.

Interest Rates

You’re looking at a 0.20% interest rate with Axos Bank no matter how high your business savings account goes. The online provider does seem to imply a rate increase if you pass the $5 million mark. If your Premium Savings account falls below $24,000, the rate drops to 0%.

Minimum Deposit

You’ll need at least $25,000 in initial funds to open up an Axos Premium Savings account. Once up and running, there’s no requirement to maintain this balance or fees if you drop below it. If funds dip below $24,000, you won’t earn any interest.

Withdrawals

Like most other business savings accounts, you can perform up to six withdrawals each statement cycle. You can draw up to $1,010 from your account each day.

Additional Features

Axos Bank really stands out for dropping money into your account at startup, making a good bank account for startups. An extra $100 to $200 can mean a lot to an up-and-coming business, and all you have to do is sign up. Additionally, Axos integrates well with Quickbooks software for financial tracking.

>>> Open a Business Savings Account with Axos Bank

U.S. Bank Basic Business Savings Account: Best Business Savings Account With Lending Options

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.2

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U.S. Bank Basic Business Savings Account Review

U.S. Bank has some great lending options to complement its checking and savings accounts for business owners. It’s possible to set up business loans or business lines of credit for an immediate expense or grow your business. The bank has more than 2,400 branch locations around the country in 28 states, so you may have a drive a little to find one. While you’re there, take advantage of the specialized merchant services U.S. Bank offers for your business type. Don’t also forget our review for the other business savings accounts like; Chase Bank Review and SoFI Review

Why we chose it: You can use U.S. Bank’s business savings account to set money aside for a rainy day or make use of a long list of lending options.

Lending to fit your needs
Specialized merchant services for restaurants, retailers, and service providers
2,400 branch locations

Nontransparent fees
Only locations in 28 states
Very low APY

Fees

The fee schedule at U.S. Bank is very muddy. You’ll need to visit a branch or call an agent to figure out monthly charges for not meeting your account requirements. It is clear that you can avoid monthly fees if you maintain at least $500 daily. There are also ambiguous fees for transactions and the use of out-of-network ATMs.

Interest Rates

U.S. Bank’s interest rate is 0.01%. It doesn’t matter how much you have in your account; your money will only grow at this rate.

Minimum Deposit

There’s a $500 minimum opening deposit for a U.S. Bank Basic Business Savings account. Should you call below this minimum, you will incur a monthly maintenance fee from the company.

Withdrawals

With U.S. Bank, you’ll have the standard six monthly withdrawals to work with. Within a 24-hour period, it’s only possible to pull out $300 from your business checking account using an ATM.

Additional Features

If you prefer to bank in person, U.S. Bank has more than 2,400 locations scattered throughout the United States. These branches cover 28 states, seemingly without rhyme or reason. The bank does make it easy to view account features through a handy app and detailed monthly statements.

>>> Start Saving with U.S. Bank

Methodology for the Best Business Savings Accounts

We looked into many different factors when selecting the best business savings accounts to populate this list. Here are the top considerations we used when making our decision.

Fees: There’s little point in using a bank that’s going to slowly suck your account dry. We make sure to avoid institutions with hidden fees or high costs for doing business that ultimately put you at risk of losing money instead of growing your account. If there are monthly maintenance fees, we prefer providers with the option to waive these amounts if you meet certain criteria.
Interest Rates: Interest rates are the bread and butter of any savings account. Without a good interest rate, there’s no reason not to leave all your funds in a checking account for quick and easy access. With a national average rate hovering around 0.24%, banks should meet this or have incredible features to make up for it.
Minimum Deposit: Banks requiring a minimum initial deposit can be a barrier for startups or up-and-coming small businesses. Even worse are penalties for failing to maintain a certain threshold over a period of time. Any institution with a high deposit requirement has to have a good reason for doing so.
Withdrawals: Your money only works for you when you have the ability to access it. It’s hard to find a bank without withdrawal limits on a savings account, but knowing how much you can take out and when is half the battle. ATMs should allow withdrawals from your business savings account, and the limit should be on the higher side.
Additional Features: Many banks and fintech companies follow cookie-cutter systems that lead to lackluster service options. The best business savings accounts have features making them stand out from the masses. This can include a large ATM network, access to physical branches, overdraft protection, and financial management tools.
Ease of Use: We wanted to make sure each option making our list was easy enough for the most novice of business owners to understand and use. Access to funds was an important factor, along with the ability to communicate with support staff should the need arise. We also tried to locate organizations with transparent fee structures and clear guidelines on what you can and can’t do.

Best Business Savings Account Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The logic behind a business savings account isn’t always clear. This FAQ answers some of the most popular questions about the benefits of opening one.

Is it good to have a business savings account?

It’s a great idea to have a business savings account to supplement your checking. Most business checking accounts don’t earn interest, whereas savings accounts offer the means to generate income from money not currently in use. It’s also a great place to store away funds for future purposes or money you’ll need in an emergency.

What is the average interest rate on a business savings account?

The current national average interest rate on business savings accounts is 0.24%, according to the FDIC. High-interest business savings accounts can reach numbers in the 1% to 2% range. Banks with low rates should have a long list of features to make up for the lack of interest.

Does money in a business account get taxed?

You’ll pay tax on any profit your business brings in, whether in a business account or not. As a business owner, it’s up to you to carefully track revenue and expenses and file appropriately with the Internal Revenue Service.

Can I use a savings account for a small business?

Small businesses can certainly make use of savings accounts, even if you aren’t seeing a ton of profit yet. Setting aside funds into an account that accrues interest can help your bottom line and get you out of a jam if you need emergency funds.

How much should you keep in a business savings account?

It’s best to save at least 10% of your monthly profits into your business savings account each month. At a minimum, shoot for six months’ worth of operating expenses in case something prevents you from earning revenue for a stretch of time.

Bottom Line

Business savings accounts are just as important as their checking counterparts, serving as a place to accrue interest and put money away for future use. Many of the best savings options have minimal fees and easy requirements for opening.

Having funds set aside can be a godsend in an emergency situation where other business owners would have to take out an expensive loan. Since most banks limit withdrawals, you’ll just have to be mindful of pulling out the money you need.

We do have favorite business checking but we believe any of the options on this list will serve you well. Check our other reviews also to other business bank accounts like Oxygen Review and Kabbage Review.

Not sure how to open a business savings account? Read our guide on how to open a business bank account to find out.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

November 30, 2022March 31, 2023

12 Best Business Checking Accounts of April 2023

A businessman filling a form for a business checking account on a desk

Juggling all the components of a business is no easy task. When dealing with finances, a standard bank account simply won’t cut it. The best business checking accounts go beyond traditional banking, providing several tools to help manage your finances while offering a number of features to help you keep everything in the air.

Best Business Checking Accounts On the Market

BlueVine – Best Business Checking Overall
Novo – Best for Small Businesses
Capital One – Best for Digital Transfers
Chase Business – Best for Business Services
Bank of America – Best for Traditional Banking
Axos – Best for Cash Deposits
Lili – Best for Tax Optimization
U.S. Bank – Best for Lending
Oxygen – Best for Freelancers
American Express – Best for Member Rewards
NBKC – Best for Add-On Services
NorthOne – Best for Integrations

When looking into the best business checking accounts, we made sure to consider fees for use and potential upsides in the form of interest rates. Next, we studied lending options, rewards, and how easy it is to transfer funds. Finally, we dig deep to discover any additional features that made a particular checking account stand out.

You can find a more detailed look at our ranking methodology below.

BlueVine Business Checking

$4.95 for cash deposits, $15 for outgoing wires

Up to 2.0% APY

Up to $250,000 line of credit

None

Cash deposits, online payments, multiple subaccounts

Novo Business Checking

$27 overdraft fee

0% APY

No lending options

Up to $5,000 in online perks

Reserve accounts, invoice tracking, virtual debit card

Capital One Basic Checking Account

$15 monthly service fee, $15 per incoming domestic wire, $25 for outgoing domestic wire

0% APY

Loans and lines of credit up to $5 million

None

Unlimited digital transfers, overdraft coverage, $5,000 in free cash deposits

Chase Business Complete Banking

$15 monthly service fee

0% APY

Loans and lines of credit up to $500,000

$300 sign-on bonus, up to $750 in cash back

$5,000 in no-fee cash deposits, waived savings account fee, long list of business services

Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking

$16 monthly service fee

0% APY

Loans and lines of credit from $10,000

None

Integrates with Zelle payment app, business services

Axos Bank Basic Business Checking

$35 for outgoing wire transfers

0% APY

Loans and lines of credit starting at $10 million

Up to $200 sign-on bonus

ATM reimbursements, first 50 checks free, Quickbooks integration

Lili Business Checking

$2.50 for out of network domestic ATMs, $5 for international

0% APY

No lending options

Cash back with debit card

Tax optimization software, fast enrollment, smart mobile banking

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking

$0.50 fee for transactions after the first 125, fees at out of network ATMs

0% APY

Many types of loans and lines of credit up to $12 million

None

$2,500 of free cash deposits, 50% discount on first check order

Oxygen Business Checking

No monthly maintenance fees, possible out of network and international fees

1.0% APY in attached savings account

No lending options

5% cash back from various merchants

LLC creation assistance

American Express Business Checking

$20 for outgoing domestic wires

1.3% APY

Available through Kabbage funding

30,000 membership reward points

24/7 support, earn points on most purchases

NBKC Bank Business Checking

$5 for outgoing domestic wires, $45 for incoming or outgoing domestic wires

0% APY

Available to business owners in the Kansas City metro area

None

Four branch locations in the Kansas City area, $12 in ATM reimbursement, several additional service options

NorthOne Business Checking

$10 monthly maintenance fee, $15 for domestic wire transfers

0% APY

No lending options

None

Virtual envelopes to budget money, long list of integrations

BlueVine Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account Overall

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.9

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BlueVine Business Checking Review

BlueVine stands out for a high interest rate that few banks can compete with and doesn’t require a minimum deposit or balance to maintain your account. The only fees you’ll need to worry about revolve around cash deposits and outgoing wire transfers. There are no savings accounts to store excess funds in, and you’ll need to watch for monthly transfer limits.

Fees

BlueVine avoids most fees that other best business bank accounts still have. There are no monthly fees, minimum requirements to maintain your account, or costs for an overdraft or incoming wires. You’ll pay $4.95 any time you make a cash deposit, and each outgoing wire is $15.

Interest Rates

It’s possible to receive 2.0% interest on your business checking account if you meet one of two conditions. You must either spend at least $500 per month on your BlueVine Business Debit Mastercard or receive $2,500 per month in customer payments to your account. The interest caps at $100,000, and anything you have beyond that doesn’t earn a thing.

Lending

While BlueVine doesn’t have lending per se, you can get access to a flexible business line of credit to use as you see fit. Lines reach as high as $250,000, with decisions in as little as 5 minutes. There’s no fee for maintaining the account, and you’ll only pay interest on what you use. Current rates are as low as 4.8%.

Rewards

BlueVine’s 2.0% APY is quite the reward in itself. That said, the business checking account doesn’t offer any other rewards for joining at this time.

Additional Features

You can pay bills directly from your BlueVine account or credit card through ACH, check, or wire. The online bank doesn’t place limits on the number of transactions you perform each month. For organization and finance tracking, multiple subaccounts allow you to drop funds into different buckets.

High interest rate
Very few fees
No minimum deposit or balance required

Checking accounts only
Monthly transfer limits
Fee for cash deposits

Why we chose it: BlueVine’s ease of use, few fees, and incredible interest rate make it the best business checking account currently available.

>>> Visit BlueVine and create your business checking account for free.

Novo Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Small Businesses

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.8

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Novo Business Checking Review

Novo has one of the best small business checking accounts, as you can perform all its services fee-free business bank account if you’re careful. You won’t need to pay a thing to keep your account, and the bank will refund ATM fees on out-of-network machines. There’s no way to deposit cash, and you will need to keep a close eye on expenses lest you face the wrath of a hefty overdraft fee.

Fees

You’ll have to look pretty hard to find fees with Novo, but they do exist. In addition to a maintenance-free checking account, the online bank refunds all ATM fees no matter where in the world you find yourself. As long as you watch your account carefully, you should never have to worry about the $27 fee for an overdraft.

Interest Rates

Novo’s business checking account does not have a way for your funds to accrue interest. There’s also no savings account for excess money to grow.

Lending

There are no lending or line of credit options within Novo’s list of features. This may not be an issue for some, but those needing a shot of income will have to look elsewhere.

Rewards

Novo has a relationship with several other business apps and can score you some good deals. For instance, HubSpot’s slew of business tools are 30% off with a Novo checking account. Depending on the software you use, it’s possible to save up to $4,000.

Additional Features

Through a carefully crafted dashboard, you can send and track invoices with ease. A virtual debit card lets you spend funds online or in person through your favorite payment app without the hassle of a physical one. Novo Reserves lets you drop money into various accounts to plan for incoming expenses or a big project.

Zero monthly fees to maintain an account
No minimum balance required
Refunds all ATM fees

Cannot deposit cash
Fee for overdrawn accounts
No savings accounts

Why we chose it: Novo’s nearly nonexistent fee structure speaks well to small businesses. If you’re looking for a bank for your startup, Novo is a great choice.

>>> Sign up with Novo!

Capital One Basic Checking Account: Best Business Checking Account for Digital Transfers

Monthly Fee: $15/month

★★★★★

4.7

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Capital One Basic Checking Account Review

Capital One does away with transfer restrictions, allowing you to keep funds flowing from one bank account to the next. There is a small monthly fee to maintain if you don’t need the requirements, but there are no overdraft fees to contend with. You can even deposit up to $5,000 each month via an ATM or one of Capital One’s branch locations.

Fees

Keeping a Capital One Basic Business Checking account requires paying a monthly $15 fee, but the bank will waive the charge if your prior 30 or 90-day balance averages at least $2,000. There are also fees for both incoming and outgoing wires, but it is possible to transfer funds digitally without penalty.

Interest Rates

There is no interest associated with this account, but the money you have in abundance doesn’t have to collect dust. Moving those funds over to one of Capital One’s savings accounts will allow it to generate some annual yield.

Lending

Capital One has a ton of lending options your business can benefit from. You will need an open business checking account and have at least two years in business to apply. Loan and line of credit amounts range greatly, capping at $5 million each.

Rewards

You won’t find any rewards for joining Capital One outright, but the scenario changes once you check out its credit card offerings. With several to choose from, you’ll likely find a card befitting your business needs that will earn rewards for each use.

Additional Features

Unlimited digital transfers allow you to send funds from your bank account to another anywhere on Earth. Capital One Basic Business Checking also protects from overdraft fees and allows free cash deposits of up to $5,000 each month.

Unlimited free digital transfers
Does not charge overdraft fees
Free cash deposits up to $5,000

Limited physical locations
Monthly account fee
No available interest rate

Why we chose it: Capital One eliminates limits on digital transfers, allowing you to keep your finances moving.

>>> Sign up with Capital One!

Chase Business Complete Banking: Best Business Checking Account for Business Services

Monthly Fee: $15/month

★★★★★

4.6

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Chase Business Complete Banking Review

Chase introduces a number of business services, such as payment collection and fraud protection alongside a $300 bonus just for signing up. You can even accept credit card payments directly into your account with the Chase app. While there is a monthly service fee, there are several ways to avoid paying it.

Fees

A monthly service fee may be a turn-off with so many fee-free accounts available, but there are several methods of having it waived. All you have to do is keep a $2,000 minimum daily balance, make $2,000 in net purchases on a business card, or receive $2,000 in deposits through the Chase QuickAccept app.

Interest Rates

Chase Business Complete Checking does not offer any interest, but not all hope is lost. It’s possible to open a Chase business savings account to complement what checking can do. Best of all, enrollment in savings is free as long as your checking account is active.

Lending

As a Chase member, you’ll have both loans and lines of credit at your fingertips. You can borrow up to $500,000 at a time, and there’s a lot of flexibility in paying your borrowed money back. Lines of credit similarly go to $500,000 you can pull from as needed.

Rewards

There’s no shortage of rewards at Chase. The bank will deposit $300 into your Business Complete Checking account as long as you meet certain requirements. In addition, Chase has a wide range of credit cards for earning cash back or points toward things like travel.

Additional Features

Signing up for a business checking account with Chase gives access to one of its savings plans at no extra charge. You’ll also have access to an abundance of business solutions for protecting and managing finances to use as you please.

Several available business services
Multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee
$300 sign-on bonus

Monthly maintenance fees
Only 20 physical transactions per month
No APY

Why we chose it: Chase meets your banking needs and beyond with a long list of additional business services.

>>> Check out Chase Business Checking.

Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking: Best Business Checking Account for Traditional Banking

Monthly Fee: $16/month

★★★★★

4.6

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Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals™ Banking Review

Business Advantage Fundamentals is a solid business checking option with a low monthly service fee. You can access your account online or from more than 4,000 locations scattered across the country. For such a large bank, it does not have 24/7 customer service or cover out-of-network transaction fees.

Fees

Bank of America is a full-fledged bank with multiple account options and its own list of fees. Business Advantage Fundamentals featured here has a $16 maintenance cost unless you can meet one of the requirements to negate it. To do so, you’ll have to either keep a $5,000 combined average monthly balance or spend at least $250 per month on debit card purchases.

Interest Rates

There’s no APY on Bank of America’s Business Advantage Fundamentals checking account. Although you can open a business savings account for $10 per month, funds within will only earn 0.01%. You can also visit our guide on how to open a business bank account.

Lending

Lending with Bank of America requires you to meet specific revenue and business requirements in order to be considered for a loan or line of credit. Both options start at $10,000, and you can choose to receive funds when needed. Monthly payments vary based on the balance in your account.

Rewards

You won’t find any special rewards for becoming a member of Bank of America. Being able to bank at over 4,300 locations around the country in addition to online adds a lot of flexibility, whatever your current needs may be.

Additional Features

Bank of America is a large bank and has the tools to prove it. You have the benefit of 4,300 branches around the country and the security only something its size can bring. There are a number of business services to make use of, and the bank works with Zelle for quick payments and transfers.

All-in-one business banking services with a low monthly fee
Over 17,000 ATMs and 4,300 branches
Easy to waive the monthly fee

Lacks 24/7 customer service
Monthly fees
Transaction fees when using non-Bank of America ATMs

Why we chose it: Bank of America has all the trappings of a traditional bank, with thousands of locations and several excellent services.

>>> Create a business checking account at Bank of America.

Axos Bank Basic Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Cash Deposits

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.5

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Axos Bank Basic Business Checking Review

Companies dealing with copious amounts of cash will find Axos’s free deposits a blessing. There are no fees to contend with outside of outgoing wire transfers to eat away at your bottom line. This makes Axos one of the best free business checking accounts out there. The business checking account does not offer interest, but Axos does have a handful of business savings accounts you can take advantage of.

Fees

Axos Bank Basic Business Checking does not charge a monthly maintenance fee or impose requirements on keeping your account open. You’ll receive back any ATM fees you incur each month, making this account effectively free to use. If you plan to send a lot of wire transfers, be aware of Axos’s $35 charge for each one.

Interest Rates

This particular account does not have an annual percentage yield and instead focuses on business perks. Anyone with extra money can open up one of Axos’s interest-bearing business savings accounts and accrue interest that way.

Lending

There are several line of credit and lending options Axos offers its members. Qualifications can be rigid, requiring at least two years in business, among other things. It’s no surprise, considering the minimum loan amounts are $10 million.

Rewards

At present, signing up for an Axos checking account as a new business owner earns a $200 welcome bonus. Even if you’re not a new business, you can still grab $100 for opening your Axos account.

Additional Features

Over 91,000 ATMs across the country are considered in-network with Axos, but there’s fee reimbursement if you happen to come across an out-of-network one. The online bank will pay you back for the first two wire transfers each month as well. On the financial side, Axos integrates seamlessly with Quickbooks to help with your books.

Cash deposits allowed via MoneyPass and AllPoint ATMs
No monthly fee and unlimited transactions
Interest-bearing savings accounts available

Limited integrations
No APY available
Poor customer service

Why we chose it: Free cash deposits and a low fee structure make Axos Basic Business Checking one of the best business bank accounts out there.

>>> Get started with Axos Business Checking.

Lili Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Tax Optimization

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.4

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Lili Business Checking Review

Lili has all the tools you’ll need to file an accurate report at tax time. The account doesn’t earn any interest, but no minimums or monthly fees help remove the sting. It takes no more than a few minutes to create your Lili business checking account, as the site doesn’t require paperwork or a credit check. You’ll need to track transfers and deposits, as there are some limitations on how much you can move around each month.

Fees

While Lili shines for its free tax software, business owners can also rejoice over a lack of account and overdraft fees. You won’t even incur a charge for foreign transactions or at over 38,000 in-network ATMs in the United States. If you end up using an out-of-network machine, expect a charge between $2.50 and $5.

Interest Rates

There is no interest on Lili’s Business Checking account. Those willing to pay can access a savings account with 1.5% APY, but you’ll need at least $34,000 in your account at all times to offset the monthly cost.

Lending

Lili does not offer any lending options to its clients. If you need a loan or a line of credit, you’ll have to look into other options.

Rewards

Your Lili debit card earns cash back on participating merchants, with the money deposited directly into your business checking account. There are no service or transaction fees to use your debit card anywhere in the world.

Additional Features

Nothing compares to Lili’s tax optimizer, designed to help you reduce tax-based expenses. The software allows you to categorize purchases, find your tax bracket, and file without headaches. The online bank also has a smart mobile app to help keep tabs on personal and business expenses while on the road. Enrollment is simple, requires no paperwork, and can have you banking within minutes.

Tax optimization software
No minimum balance or monthly fees
Quick enrollment

0% APY
No wire transfers
Low monthly transfer and deposit limits

Why we chose it: Lili’s minimal fees and tax optimization software help businesses hold onto hard-earned income. Plus, if you’re looking for an online business checking account with no credit checks, Lili is a great option.

>>> Open your business checking account with Lili.

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account With Lending Options

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.3

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U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Review

U.S. Bank has loans and lines of credit for any need your business may face, from expansion to an unexpected expense. Depending on your business, you can also benefit from specialized merchant services for various business industries. Banking in person is possible in one of 2,400 locations if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in one of the 26 states they exist.

Fees

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking doesn’t have any overt fees for service, but you can quickly find yourself in trouble with transactions. Your first 125 are free each money, with every subsequent one $0.50 a piece. It’s also wise to watch out for non-U.S. bank ATMs, as these frequently come with a charge as well.

Interest Rates

U.S. Bank’s interest rates with checking accounts are a bust, but the institution does have business savings and money market accounts to consider. If you have the funds to float, storing some in savings will earn you an amount depending on what you choose.

Lending

Lending options are plentiful with U.S. Bank, and one of the biggest reasons it stands out for having the best business bank accounts. Small business or large, you can request amounts from $5,000 to several million, depending on your business type. Lines of credit work much the same way, with varying amounts based on what you’ll use the money for.

Rewards

U.S. Bank doesn’t have any rewards for signing up or maintaining an account. There are multiple credit card options with welcome offers and options for you to peruse.

Additional Features

U.S. Bank lets you deposit up to $2,500 in cash every statement cycle, which can be helpful if your business doesn’t use a ton of cash. If you plan to pay out in checks, it’s possible to get 50% off your first order. Besides lending, U.S. Bank has a slew of other services worth investigating.

Lending to fit your needs
Specialized merchant services for restaurants, retailers, and service providers
2,400 branch locations

Charges transaction fees
Only locations in 26 states
No interest

Why we chose it: U.S. Bank’s lending options cater to businesses of all sizes, adding value to an already solid business checking account.

>>> Check what U.S. Bank Business Checking has to offer!

Oxygen Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Freelancers

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.2

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Oxygen Business Checking Review

Oxygen carved a space for itself in the fintech niche, acting as a great option for freelancers and boutique sole proprietors. There are no discernible fees across the board, and shopping at select merchants earns 5% cash back just for making a purchase. To keep finances secure, you can create an unlimited number of single-use debit cards with set dollar limits.

Fees

Oxygen claims to be fee-free from top to bottom but does specify that out-of-network and international withdrawals may be subject to a charge. You’ll never have to worry about paying for ACH transfers or keeping your account open.

Interest Rates

While you won’t earn interest for funds in your business checking account, Oxygen remedies the problem by adding business savings account to the mix. Any money hanging out in savings accrues 1.0% interest for balances of $20,000 or less. Amounts in excess still earn interest, but at a much lower rate.

Lending

Oxygen is a mobile fintech company and not a bank. Because of this, Oxygen is unable to offer any lending options.

Rewards

Making necessary purchases feels a little sweeter when you get paid to do it. Buying things like gas, rideshares, or shipping services can earn 5% cash back with no questions asked.

Additional Features

Oxygen is a great option for business bank account for LLCs and even offers formation services as part of its package. Freelancers wanting the personal protections that come with a limited liability company can speed up registration right from Oxygen’s mobile app.

Aimed at trendy business owners
5% Cashback rewards
Create virtual, single-use debit cards

Virtual bank, no cash deposits
Fewer integrations than other options
No lending options

Why we chose it: Oxygen speaks the language of the trendy business owner, offering some cool banking features along the way. It’s also one of the best checking accounts for sole proprietors.

>>> Open your business account with Oxygen

American Express Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Member Rewards

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

4.0

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American Express Business Checking Review

Where most of the best business bank accounts for LLCs forget about interest, American Express shows up with a 1.3% APY. You’ll also have access to a debit card that accrues points you can turn into cold hard cash. Many on-the-go features are only usable on iOS, and there’s no way to deposit cash. Should you ever encounter an issue with your account, customer service is always on hand to help.

Fees

You’ll only find a fee for outgoing domestic wires with American Express, and the price is quite reasonable. There’s no monthly maintenance fee, NSF penalties, or any charge for receiving money from various sources.

Interest Rates

American Express currently flexes an interest rate of 1.3% APY, 43 timeless the national deposit rate. The interest applies to amounts up to $500,000, but anything beyond that point doesn’t earn a penny.

Lending

Through Kabbage Funding, American Express makes available business loans and lines of credit for companies in need. Your venture must be at least a year old, bring in at least $3,000 in revenue each month, and have a FICO score of at least 640. Right now, it’s possible to earn $250 by connecting your American Express account to Kabbage. Check out our Kabbage Funding review for more information.

Rewards

New members can earn 30,000 reward points just for signing up. To be eligible, you’ll need to deposit at least $5,000 into your account and maintain that balance for at least 60 days. In addition, you’ll have to make at least ten qualifying transactions during that same time frame.

Additional Features

Select debit card purchases to earn reward points you can then convert into deposits dropped right into your bank account. It’s also possible to use points for gift cards, travel, and the like. If you have problems with points or any other American Express feature, the company has a customer service team standing by 24/7.

Earn membership rewards on almost every purchase
Up to 1.3% APY
24/7 customer service

Mobile check deposits only available on iOS
Cash deposits not supported
Only available to American Express customers

Why we chose it: American Express offers a generous interest rate and pays you to shop with point-to-dollar deposits.

>>> Get started with American Express Business Checking.

NBKC Bank Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Add-On Services

Monthly Fee: None

★★★★★

3.9

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NBKC Bank Business Checking Review

NBKC Bank is the perfect blend of large-scale operations and down-to-earth customer service you want in a bank. While it only has four branches in the Kansas City area, NBKC’s online presence will more than suffice. There aren’t many fees to deal with throughout the bank’s many features, but you will want to watch out for international wire costs.

Fees

You can perform just about every one of NBKC Bank’s functions without worrying about a single fee. The one area you’ll want to tread lightly in is international wires, where incoming and outgoing transfers will set you back $45 each time.

Interest Rates

Sadly, there are no interest rate options with NBKC Bank’s business checking account. You can open up a fee-free business money market account and earn 1.25% APY on monies within.

Lending

NBKC Bank works carefully with business owners to determine the best loan option to suit your needs. It also has line of credit options to have on hand in case of emergency. The downside to lending with NBKC Bank is that your business must be located in the Kansas City metro area to be eligible.

Rewards

There aren’t any special perks for joining NKBC Bank. Fortunately, there are several credit cards providing cash back, sign-up bonuses, or point generation to incentivize use.

Additional Features

Anyone in the Kansas City area will have access to the four NBKC Bank branches currently open for business. Whether in-person or online, there are a number of business solutions you can use to better your business. Available services include fraud management, cash management, and professional invoicing.

Many extra service options
Few fees to contend with
Excellent customer service

No physical bank branches outside of Kansas and Missouri
High international wire fees
Zero APR for business checking account

Why we chose it: NBKC Bank acts like a digital provider but has all the add-on services you’d expect from a major financial institution.

>>> Check out NBKC’s business checking offerings.

NorthOne Business Checking: Best Business Checking Account for Integrations

Monthly Fee: $10/month

★★★★★

3.7

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NorthOne understands the need to move money around. It works with hundreds of financial apps to allow quick and easy money transfers and doesn’t put a limit on how much you can do. These perks come at the cost of a $10 monthly service fee that can’t be waived. On the plus side, calling support connects you with a real human being without the need to navigate an automated assistant.

Fees

NorthOne is quite transparent about its fees, announcing a $10 service charge each month to keep your account open. There’s no way to waive this cost. The only other fee comes from incoming or outgoing domestic transfers.

Interest Rates

Any money in your NorthOne business checking account won’t accrue any interest. What’s more, the financial services company doesn’t offer a savings account to tuck additional funds into.

Lending

NorthOne focuses solely on business checking accounts. Because of this, you won’t find any available lending options.

Rewards

At this time, there are no rewards for signing up with NorthOne. Perks for using the service all exist within your account.

Additional Features

With NorthOne, you can connect your favorite accounting, point of sale, or eCommerce software direct to your bank account. There’s no need to manually enter transactions or follow funds from one place to the other. It’s also possible to use envelopes to sort money into groups for taxes, rent, and other buckets.

Integrates with popular business apps
Unlimited free transfers each month
Instant support from actual humans

Monthly fee
No international wire transfers
No interest rate

Why we chose it: NorthOne links with the top apps across accounting, eCommerce, and point of sale software for a seamless financial experience.

>>> Sign up with NorthOne.

Our Ranking Methodology for the Best Business Checking Accounts

When it comes to the best for your business, not just any checking account will do. We studied the best business checking accounts across multiple banks to help find the perfect option for you. During our search, we considered the following methodologies when making our top picks:

Fees: It’s not ideal to go broke from all the fees your financial institution charges. The best business bank accounts keep fees to an absolute minimum. Even if some charge a monthly fee, many provide a way to get costs waived.
Interest Rates: Gone are the days of every institution giving interest for having money in a business checking account. There are still a few willing to deposit funds into your account each cycle just for doing business. The best ones offer significantly higher rates than the national average.
Lending: There will likely come a time when you’ll need to borrow money for an expansion or an unexpected expense. Many of the top business checking accounts make it easier to acquire these funds because you already have a business relationship with them. Having to use a third party can increase risk and payback costs.
Rewards: The financial institution shouldn’t be the only one to benefit from you opening an account. The best business checking accounts show their support through sign-up bonuses, cash back, or online perks.
Transfers: As a business, your money moves around a lot. The last thing you need is to incur penalties for too many transfers or the inability to get funds where they need to go. The best business accounts remove limitations and make it easy to connect you with vendors and popular financial apps.
Additional Features: Banks and fintech companies are not created the same. We dug deep to discover any additional features each one offers and how you can make the most of your business dealings.

Beware of “Mattress” Banking!

Did you know many online banks are crediting as low as 0.1%? You may as well stick your money under your mattress! Bluevine business checking accounts pay an APY up to 1.2% on balances up to $100,000.

Learn More!

Unlimited transcations with no monthly fees!

Reasons To Consider a Business Checking Account

There are a multitude of reasons to consider a business checking account over other banking options. Here are some of the top motivations for doing so:

It May Be Required

While not the case for every type of company, some business structures require the use of a business checking account. If you have a limited liability company or corporation, you’ll need to separate personal and professional finances into two piles. Funds specific to your venture need to go into a checking account set aside for business purposes only.

Protection from Business Liability

Going hand in hand with the previous point, LLCs and corporations need to have distinct accounts for business finances far away from personal funds members have. In the event of a debt or lawsuit, no one can reach across this boundary and take money from your personal stash. This holds true even if your business does not have enough funds to cover the penalty.

If you mix your professional and personal finances in any way, all bets are off. You could become personally liable for expenses you otherwise would not need to pay. Even the slightest crossover can be enough for a judge to rule your business is not actually a separate entity.

Simplicity

Opening a business bank account can greatly simplify the management of company funds. Some of the best business checking accounts offer accounting or budgeting tools right within their suite of features, whereas others integrate with top financial apps. Either way, you can automate much of your bookkeeping to save time and monitor where your money goes any time at a glance.

A Boost of Credibility

Establishing a business checking account shows vendors, shoppers, and the government that you’re the real deal. Even if your company started out as a side gig, a business checking account serves to make you look more professional. You can make payments with a company card and have customers pay your business directly, making your operation look that much more credible in the process.

When dealing with the IRS, having a dedicated business bank account helps legitimize your business. You can’t deduct expenses at tax time if the government believes your business is just a hobby, but an account with payment and purchase records can swing things in your favor.

Easier Tax Preparation

Speaking of taxes, the prep process becomes way easier if all your money flows through a single business account. There’s no need to determine which purchases are personal and which came directly from your company.

Many of the best small business checking accounts have tools to help automate tax payments, or at least buckets you can store funds in for tax time. If the IRS detects foul play, you may have to deal with audits or careful scrutiny of your business practices.

Establishing Credit

Credit goes a long way when borrowing money. Lenders often require bank records and credit card statements to see how you handle your funds. While you may still be able to obtain a loan with poor credit, your chances of a better rate are much higher if you’re in good standing. Banks doubling as lenders usually require having a checking account for at least a year before considering a loan.

Why You Need a Business Checking Account

What You Need To Open a Small Business Checking Account

Starting your very own business checking account isn’t a complicated process if you have all the right paperwork. Be sure to have all the following available when you go to apply.

Personal and Business Identification

You’ll need at least one government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, to open a business bank account. The bank will also ask for your personal address, contact information, date of birth, and social security number. Any business owner with at least a 25% stake will need to do the same.

The application will also ask for your business name, address, and any assumed names you’re using. There will also be line items for your business type and the industry you work in. You will also need your EIN number.

Organizing Documents

No matter your business type, you’ll need to provide a registration certificate and any necessary business licenses. LLCs and corporations also must have organizing documents and operating agreements handy.

EIN Number

Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs may be able to open an account with a social security number. However, it’s wise to have an employer identification number (EIN) for business purposes. Opening a bank account with an EIN helps create a divide between personal and professional finances, protecting private funds in the event of legal trouble.

Initial Deposit

Some business checking accounts require an initial deposit at the time of opening. It’s worth researching any requirements so you don’t find yourself in a pickle.

Best Business Checking Account Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section serves to answer some of the most common questions surrounding the best business checking accounts.

What kind of bank account should I open as an LLC?

LLCs should make use of a business checking account to maximize limited liability protection. Business checking accounts can also add a sense of professionalism to your business and make money management a cinch. Check out our guide on the best business bank accounts for LLCs.

Do I need an EIN for an LLC bank account?

LLC bank accounts require an EIN if the business has one or more employees. Single-member LLCs can use the owner’s social security number instead, but doing so can invite risk.

Can you run a business without a business bank account?

It is possible to run a business without a business bank account, but you’re exposing your personal finances to potential risk. In the event of a lawsuit or debt, other entities can come after your private funds as well.

Which bank is best suited for small businesses?

Many of the banks and fintech companies on our list work well with small businesses. Novo in particular stands out thanks to minimal fees and no required monthly balance.

Bottom Line on the Best Business Checking Accounts

Having the right business checking account can go a long way toward making your company fruitful. The top options keep fees to a minimum while offering perks and rewards just for signing up. Many also facilitate money management so you can focus on more important matters. BlueVine Business Checking is our current favorite, but we believe any of the options on this list will serve you well. Check out also our SoFi Review and Kabbage Review

>>> Open your business checking account with BlueVine!

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

November 29, 2022February 15, 2023

DBA Meaning: Creating a Special Name for Your Business

Forming a business can be a challenging process, made more confusing by tricky terminology. A DBA can benefit any business structure if you understand how one works. This article takes a look at DBA meaning and the ways to use a DBA to set your company apart from the competition.

Use ZenBusiness to facilitate the DBA registration process.

DBA Meaning – What is a DBA Name?

DBA stands for “doing business as”, and is a registered name your business operates under. It is different from the legal name your company takes upon formation with the state, and is therefore sometimes referred to as a fictitious or assumed name. A DBA is particularly helpful in situations where you have no control over your business’s legal name.

Benefits of a DBA

By DBA definition, creating an assumed name can open many business doors. Here are a number of reasons why filing a DBA can be advantageous.

Hide Your Private Information

In a sole proprietorship, your business name is the same as your legal name. Partnerships follow a similar pattern, incorporating the last names of both partners to form a business name. Any time one of these entities does business, the owners have to share those names with suppliers or clients.

You can avoid that headache with a DBA, meaning you can do business with an assumed name that keeps your private information private. This can, you have more control over who sees your personal name as you make contacts.

Marketing Your Business

Most businesses you know tell a story with their name, and a DBA allows you to do the same. Your DBA name can convey your business purpose to potential customers about the products you sell or services you provide. If consumers don’t understand what your business is all about, chances are they aren’t going to be shopping there.

Expansion

If you expand your business into a completely different niche from where you normally operate, you can use a DBA to represent that new area. This also holds true when moving across state lines and you want to personalize your locations by name.

A Boost of Credibility

There’s little to say about a business using a person’s surname for professional matters. Other companies and customers may not take your business seriously and choose to work with you.

Business Banking Purposes

Along that same vein, many banks want to see a DBA before allowing you to open business banking account. Business accounts often have extra perks and help you keep personal and professional finances sorted.

Easy and Affordable

Although each state has a different process, creating a DBA name is generally easy to do. As an added bonus, the cost is often quite low and lasts for several years before you need to renew.

Create a DBA with ZenBusiness

What a DBA Won’t Do

When looking at DBA meaning, it’s important to note that this assumed name is not a legal business entity. In other words, a DBA does not protect your personal assets in the event of legal action against your company. If there’s a risk of legal action against your business type, it’s wise to register an LLC.

In most states, a DBA isn’t enough to have a unique business name. Other companies can also file the same DBA name in the same state without consequence. If you want to be the only one who can use a particular moniker, you’ll need to file a trademark instead.

When Do Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships Need a DBA?

There’s no requirement for a sole proprietorship or partnership to register a DBA, meaning you can go about business indefinitely using just your name. If you wish to operate under an assumed name, you will have to file the appropriate paperwork in most states. Check with your county as well, as some local entities need documentation as well for compliance.

Thirteen states do not require a state filing for a DBA, meaning you can use your business name of choice without consequence:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Kansas
Maryland
Mississippi
Nebraska
Ohio
Wisconsin
Wyoming

It’s still worth checking at the county level for any necessary paperwork.

Can LLCs or Corporations File a DBA?

LLCs and corporations are formal business structures with a host of perks. When you register your business as one of these entities, business owners must come up with a unique title that becomes the company’s legal name. No other venture in the same state as you can use the same name.

That said, any type of business can register a DBA should they want to run the business under an assumed name or branch off into a new category without creating a new company. There’s no restriction to the number of DBAs you can have, so large businesses may have several under their hat to pick from.

Create a DBA with ZenBusiness

How to File a DBA

Filing a DBA in your state is not a difficult process, but it does vary from state to state. Follow the steps below and you’ll have a DBA in no time.

Step 1: Understand the Meaning of DBA in Your State

No two states are the same when it comes to a DBA and its requirements. Take the time to see what you need before filling out any paperwork. Be aware that some cities or counties have requirements of their own that may complement or supersede happenings at the state level.

Step 2: Come Up With a Name

Once you know how to file your DBA, you’ll still need to come up with a name. Many customers will use this title to decide whether to shop with you, so come up with something catchy that spells out exactly what you do.

Keep in mind that shoppers in this day and age have short attention spans and will quickly forget convoluted or long names. Even if they remember bits and pieces, it likely won’t be enough to share with a friend or find you again online.

States will place restrictions on certain words that you’ll need to avoid. It’s not possible to include LLC in a DBA if your company is a sole proprietorship.

Step 3: Check for Businesses Already Using the DBA

Most states don’t have a rule limiting a DBA name to just one business. While you can use the same DBA name as the flower shop down the street, such a move can spark confusion on multiple levels.

With so many businesses functioning at least in part online, your DBA name needs to work online as well. Website addresses, also known as domain names, are unique. If another company already has the domain of the DBA you’re considering, you may want to go a different route.

Step 4: Register the DBA

After completing the first three steps, you’re ready to register your DBA. The process isn’t free but should cost less than $100, depending on the location you file. Some state or county offices will let you perform this step online, but in others you’ll need to drop the paperwork off in person.

In either case, you’ll want to wait for approval from the governing body before you start using your DBA. You’ll receive a document letting you know you can conduct business under your new name and can start ordering your branded marketing tools.

DBA Meaning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This FAQ answers some of the most common questions surrounding DBA meaning.

What is a DBA name example?

If your legal name is Roger Smith and you start a sole proprietorship, your business’s name is one and the same. You can register a DBA under “Roger’s Bait Shop” to tell customers what you’re all about and keep your last name private.

Is DBA the same as a company name?

No, your company name is the legal name of your business at the time of formation. In the case of a sole proprietorship, it is the same as your legal name. A DBA, or “doing business as”, is an assumed name you can use in its place. Your DBA name can be used for branding or marketing but has no legal bearing.

What is another name for DBA?

DBAs are often referred to as assumed names or fictitious names. A DBA does not replace a business’s legal name.

Can I open a business account with a DBA?

Yes, a DBA is enough for most banks to strike up business negotiations with a sole proprietorship or a partnership. This way, you can separate your personal and professional finances while reaping the benefits of what a business account can offer.

Bottom Line on DBA Meaning

Understanding DBA meaning can help your business immensely, no matter the size or structure. For sole proprietorships or partnerships, DBAs offer a way to keep personal information out of the spotlight while allowing these business types to create a name to build a brand around. If you want to take your business to the next level, registering a DBA is an obvious next step.

ZenBusiness is one of the top DBA services available, with all the tools you need to register your DBA. You can look up potential names and register straight from the ZenBusiness site, ensuring you get everything right the first time. Head over to the ZenBusiness website for all your DBA needs at one reasonable price.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

November 28, 2022February 17, 2023

Understanding LLC Taxes The Ultimate Guide to LLC Taxation

tax time reminder concept on a bluish background

No one likes to think about them, but taxes are an integral part of any business. If not done correctly, repercussions on your company can be severe. In this article, we look at how an LLC is taxed and a few ways to keep your payments as low as possible.

Use ZenBusiness to file your LLC with ease and TurboTax to make LLC tax filings easy.

What are LLC Taxes?

Nothing is certain but death and taxes. With a Limited Liability Company, just like any other business entity, you have to pay taxes on your taxable income. This includes all sources of revenue minus money spent on marketing, research, expenses, and the like. How you choose to set up your LLC plays a major role in what you pay during tax time.

LLCs do not have a defined tax structure and instead borrow a tax identity from other business types. This also grants you as a business owner the flexibility to change classifications, although the government typically only allows a switch once every five years.

How LLCs Pay Income Taxes

The government looks at an LLC as a sole proprietorship for single-member companies and a partnership for those with multiple owners. These entities do not pay income taxes on the federal level, instead passing down income to each member’s personal returns. Each member pays taxes based on their percent ownership in the company.

It is possible for an LLC to choose taxation using corporate guidelines, taking on an entirely different tax structure, one of the biggest benefits of LLCs. Let’s take a look at each LLC taxation method and what business owners should expect.

Single-member LLCs

The IRS lists LLCs with a sole owner as a disregarded entity for federal income taxes. In short, the government ignores your business structure and treats the company as if it were a sole proprietorship. The LLC itself does not have to pay taxes, with taxation being passed down to the sole member.

All income and expenses have to appear on the business owner’s federal tax return. The member records all income and expenses on a 1040 form before filing. If the company returned a profit during the year, the owner pays taxes on that income based on the tax bracket the income falls in. If operating at a loss, there’s no income to tax.

Multi-member LLCs

Multi-member LLCs deal with taxes very similarly to single-member LLCs by default. Also considered a pass-through entity, An LLC with more than one owner doesn’t pay taxes on its own, either.

In this situation, each member pays taxes on what the business makes based on their percent ownership in the LLC. At formation, LLC owners should list in the operating agreement how much each one will earn. The split does not need to be equal. Even if members decide to leave potential profits with the company, the IRS still expects taxes on the entire amount they would receive every year.

At tax time, LLCs must fill out form 1065 with the IRS indicating gains and losses for the year. It is also required to create a Schedule K-1 for each member, reporting the amount that person receives. Individual owners still need to document their earnings on a 1040 form to the government.

As a Corporation

LLCs can choose to file taxes as a C-corporation or S-corporation. Since this is not an LLC’s default tax structure, members will need to vote and agree on the change.

In a C-corporation, the company first pays taxes on gross income after deductions using form 1120. The remaining profits then get distributed to shareholders, who still pay individual income taxes. The current federal corporate tax rate is 21%, lower than most individual rates.

S-corporations work somewhat similarly to an LLC’s default tax structure. The government treats it as a pass-through entity with some deviations in how it taxes profits. Business owners opting to file as an S-corp use form 1120S.

Use ZenBusiness to register your business as an LLC

Payroll Taxes for LLCs

Any LLC with at least one employee has to collect payroll taxes and make payments to the IRS. The company withholds an employee’s share of these taxes from paychecks.

Employers are also responsible for a portion of payroll taxes that go to social security, Medicare, and unemployment benefits. The LLC uses forms 940 and 941 to declare these taxes, with the former filed annually and the latter each quarter.

A company does not pay payroll taxes when submitting these forms but rather throughout the year, as indicated by the IRS.

Self-employment Taxes for LLCs

The government does not view LLC members as employees. Therefore, any LLC business owners filing taxes as a sole proprietorship or partner are considered self-employed.

Self-employed business owners must pay the full amount of self-employment taxes toward Medicare and social security. At present, these taxes add up to 15.3%, and members have to make payments at quarterly intervals. Schedule SE is the form to document these fees.

State Taxes for LLCs

Federal taxes are fairly straightforward, but this isn’t always the case at the state level. Keep the following in mind when working in one or more states.

LLC Income Tax

There’s usually little difference in the income tax process at the state level, except that states will only tax based on relative income in that location. Businesses selling products or services in multiple locations will have to pay income tax in each state.

Read our guide on income taxes by state.

LLC Sales Tax

Most states charge a sales tax on applicable goods and services. Only Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not. It is an LLC owner’s responsibility to collect these taxes from customers at the time of sale. Each state sets its own sales tax rate.

If a company ships products across state lines, each state determines how to tax those sales. In most cases, the tax rate comes from the final delivery location of the package. A handful of states charge taxes based on the shipment’s origin instead.

LLC Business Expenses and Deductions

No matter which tax structure you choose, it’s possible to deduct certain expenses from your taxes. The expense can be anything that ultimately helps your company succeed. Common examples are startup costs, equipment, advertising, rent, and business insurance.

Any deductions come out of the total revenue your business earned in the given year. This reduction means you don’t have to pay taxes on the portion of income covering those expenses.

For example, a company with $20,000 in income with $3,000 in applicable business expenses only has to pay taxes on the remaining $17,000.

In 2018, the government passed an income tax reform law for owners of pass-through businesses. Any qualifying member can deduct up to 20% of net business income from their taxes right off the top. Keep in mind LLCs filing as C-corporations do not receive this benefit.

Use a Tax Software to Help With LLC Taxes

You’ll need to keep careful track of income and expenses throughout the year to have accurate tax returns. As you can guess, failing to properly declare all the money your company makes can lead to serious issues with the IRS.

This can be a challenge for established LLCs and even more so for a startup working through all the nuances of a new business. To help alleviate some of the pressure, using a tax software ensure nothing gets overlooked on your tax forms can be beneficial.

Tax software like TurboTax can walk you through the filing process from start to finish, including how to keep track of finances and which forms to use with the government.

LLC Taxes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Understanding LLC taxation is not a simple process. Our FAQ answers some of the most common questions about the topic.

Is an LLC worth it for tax purposes?

By default, LLCs are pass-through entities. This means the business structure doesn’t pay taxes at the federal level and members only on individual income.

Is LLC income taxed twice?

LLC income is not taxed twice, since LLCs do not have to pay at the federal level. The only exception to this rule is if an LLC chooses to be taxed as a C-corporation.

What happens if my LLC does not make money?

If an LLC doesn’t make money, its members may not need to file a tax return that year. It can be beneficial to file anyway to check for deductions or credits.

What are the benefits of owning an LLC?

LLCs allow members to separate and protect personal funds in the event of a lawsuit. For tax purposes, LLCs function as pass-through entities, so business owners only have to pay at the individual level.

Bottom Line on LLC Taxes

Taxes are a cumbersome but necessary part of running a business. Fortunately, LLCs allow you to choose from different tax structures that best suit your company at the time. Whether pass-through taxation or filing like a corporate entity, LLCs make the process as easy as can be.

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Below you will find an interactive U.S map that can help you locate and compare different banks and financial institutions that offer business accounts in your area.

November 28, 2022February 22, 2023

How to Come up With a Business Name in 13 Steps

Dark skinned woman scratching her head with a pencil while thinking of a business name

Something as small as a business name can have a monumental impact on your success. The right name can bring in more customers than you thought possible, whereas the wrong name can effectively shut you down. Read on to discover how to come up with a business name that sets you apart from the competition.

Register your business name with ZenBusiness

How to Come up With a Business Name In 13 Steps

Coming up with a business name can be a daunting task. Use these 13 steps to simplify the process and uncover the perfect name for your company.

Step 1: Create Your Brand

Before doing anything else, you must first paint a mental or physical picture of what your brand is going to be. Can you envision your company’s logo, your storefront, or your online site? Do you know the look you’re going for and the style your business conveys?

Make sure to fully consider the scope of your business and all the products or services you plan to sell. Even if you’ve yet to take the first step toward making all this a reality, the vision you cast plays a crucial role in how to come up with a business name.

Step 2: Brainstorm New Ideas

Now that you can see your business in your mind or on paper, what does it say to you? Start writing down any words or associations to the images you’ve conjured up that speak to your brand. These don’t need to be complete thoughts at first, just new ideas beginning to take shape.

With your word art, start linking ideas together into actual names for your business. Don’t worry if they sound silly at first glance; one idea may spawn another or grow on you with time. There’s nothing definitive about this step; you simply want a list of names befitting what you hope to represent.

Step 3: Try Out a Name Generator

For some extra help, try out a name generator. You can type in one or more keywords from your brainstorming list and see what pops out the other side. Some sites may ask additional questions to hone in on a more specific theme.

Shopify’s name generator gives up to 100 ideas from a single keyword and can walk you through the rest of the business setup process should you find one you like. Add any names speaking to you to your list.

Step 4: Say Each Name Out Loud

You’ve seen each name on paper, but how does it sound out loud? Take the time to say your ideas out loud and hear how they sound. Do they flow well, or is your concoction too hard to say? Could your potential title be misconstrued as something else that you don’t want to associate with?

Even if names sound good to you, getting feedback from others is a good idea. Grab some unbiased friends or family who will provide truthful feedback and say your names to them. Make note of the top picks among your focus group.

Step 5: Screen Out the Bad

It’s time to cast aside some of the bad names that aren’t up to snuff. In addition to names that don’t sound well out loud, stay away from monikers that may not resonate with customers for other reasons.

For instance, hard-to-spell names can confuse shoppers trying to find your business online. This also holds true when a name is too long. If they can’t get your name right, they won’t be shopping from you again.

When naming a business, be sure you don’t limit the scope of where your business may someday go. While this may include physical expansion into new markets, it also holds true for product niches you may wish to carry in the future. “Girls’ Clothes Chicago” leaves no room for boys’ clothing or opening a store in another city.

Your business name should be catchy, simple, and easy to remember. You also want it to communicate what your business is in a positive way. You may someday sell products in foreign locations, so consider how your name sounds in other languages as well.

Step 6: Consider Naming Rules for Your Business Structure

By now you probably have some great names in mind, but your journey of naming a business is not yet over. Depending on your business registration structure, there are certain criteria you must meet for your name to get approved.

A limited liability company (LLC) requires you to designate somewhere in your business name that it is, in fact, an LLC. Most companies use some form of the abbreviation (LLC, L.L.C., etc.) to accomplish this. Corporations have similar rules you must follow.

There’s a bit more flexibility when filing a DBA (doing business as) for sole proprietorships or partnerships. These business entities can’t use verbiage implying they’re an LLC or corporation, though.

Don’t forget to check with the state you’re filing in to see if it has any specific requirements about naming you need to consider. There may be restricted words or certain guidelines you must follow to get your name approved.

Step 7: Make a List of the Best Names

After completing the above steps, make a short list of the best names meeting all the criteria for how to name a business. With the list in hand, run your remaining options through these next steps to help determine the one you’ll ultimately register.

Step 8: Search the Web

Perform a web search on the top picks for your business name. Look to see if another business uses it in your state or elsewhere and for what purpose. If you see yourself expanding to a state in the future where your name is already in use, you may want to consider another option instead.

Worst case, all the names you like are already in use and you have to head back to the drawing board. Not all is lost, as you might come up with some cool ideas for your own business you hadn’t thought about before.

Step 9: Check Availability

LLC and corporation names must be unique when you go to register them. If you’re coming up with a name for a DBA, most states don’t require these to be one of a kind. However, using the same DBA as another business can lead to customer confusion.

Running a business name search in your state is a great way to decipher which names are still available. ZenBusiness has an LLC name search tool that will tell you at a glance if you can use your ideal name.

Beyond the state, perform a trademark name search with the federal government to see if someone trademarked your name or one similar to yours. Your name request will be blocked if the government has a likelihood of creating confusion with a phrase already trademarked.

Step 10: Don’t Forget the Domain

Once everything checks out with the state and at the federal level, there’s nothing stopping you from actually registering your business name. However, it would be prudent to invest in your online presence even if you don’t plan to sell there right away.

A domain is a website address customers use to navigate to their digital store. Ideally, you’ll want to get the exact name domain as your business name so shoppers don’t have to remember two pieces of information. Kurt’s Birds would probably want to get www.kurtsbirds.com so new and recurring customers to know where to go.

If the perfect domain name isn’t available, not all is lost. It is possible to add a word or deviate slightly and still have an ecommerce store. www.kurtsbirdshop.com might still get the job done, but it is less ideal.

Another alternative is to try something other than .com for your top-level domain. There are many other options to choose from but keep in mind the complexity and where your customers are likely to go.

NameCheap is one of the best sites to register a domain name and will help you find the perfect one for your business. It’s not possible to buy a domain name outright, but you can reserve one for up to ten years. Don’t forget to reserve it again before that window is up.

Step 11: And Social Media Too

Social media can be just as powerful a tool as your domain. Sites like Facebook have marketplaces for selling products, and social media can be a great place to market your wares. Before finalizing your business title, reserve the name on the most popular social media platforms. Top considerations include YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Step 12: Decide on Your Business Name

Hopefully all the above have whittled your original list down to one or two names. If you still have a few to pick from, it’s time to choose the one that best fits your business model. All that’s left from here is to register it with the state.

Step 13: Register Your Business Name

It’s finally time to take the name you’ve landed on and make it your own. In most cases, you can fill out the appropriate paperwork through the internet and submit everything online. All states require a fee that can vary significantly across the nation.

Business registration services like ZenBusiness can help you with the registration process. The platform will walk you through every step to ensure you don’t miss anything along the way. Such sites can even provide additional services, such as a registered agent or information on filing taxes.

If you have a name picked out but aren’t yet ready to start your business, many states will let you reserve it for a fee. In most cases, you can hold a name for several months or a year while you finalize other details of your business.

Register your business name with ZenBusiness

Where to Look for Inspiration

When working through how to come up with a business name, inspiration is often the most challenging part. Here are some ideas to consider if you find yourself stuck.

Acronyms

Using an acronym can be a great way to shorten a longer business name idea that consumers might have trouble remembering. Many established companies use an acronym as a DBA to shorten long legal names.

Popular examples include:

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
BMW (Bavarian Motor Works)
3M (The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company)

Using Your Name

Some business owners opt to use their own name or names when forming a business. It may not have the desired result in this day and age, but it has worked in the past. Think about Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or Walt Disney.

Other Languages

This point of inspiration can go both ways. Pret a Manger is a sandwich shop with a french name that opened its first location in London and has since spread to several countries, including french speaking ones.

If you ever plan to sell internationally, be sure your business name doesn’t translate to something problematic or even offensive. While not a company name, Ford could not sell its Nova in Spanish-speaking countries because the word literally translated to “no go”.

Use Your Location

Admittedly, using your location in a business name can shoehorn you into an area or region you may want to grow out of down the road. If you’re careful, attaching a location to your business name can help you stand out. Kentucky Fried Chicken exists all over the planet, despite clearly referencing a state. Nokia and Adobe are both named after rivers in their respective parts of the world.

Word Combinations

Businesses trying to convey a theme will sometimes squish two words together to make the perfect company name. Netflix combines the internet with the flicks we all love so much. SnapChat meshes photo-taking with conversation, a perfect representation of the app.

Wordplay

Clever wordplay can lead to a catchy name that sticks in people’s minds. Chances are you’d remember eating at Bread Pitt or shopping for flowers at Florist Gump.

Synonyms

If your business fills a generic space, spice it up with synonyms. Flip through a thesaurus for a keyword or ten and see what resonates with you.

Rhymes

Artists use rhymes all the time in song and poetry to drive home meaning and make a lyric or passage stick. Business names can have the same effect. Famous Amos makes a delicious pretzel, and StubHub is a top site to buy tickets for popular venues.

Misspellings

The human brain has a tendency to remember things that stand out. We see a word spelled a certain way all our lives, and then a business like Lyft comes along and makes us question everything. That simple spelling deviation is enough to make a name stick in our heads even though the base word isn’t anything special.

Create Something New

There are few rules you need to follow when coming up with a business name. You don’t even need to use real words to be successful! Häagen-Dazs sounds like a fantastic Danish company, but the name is entirely made up. The same holds true for Xerox, which has no secret meaning or ties to another word.

Why a Business Name is Important

A business name is an integral part of your company’s identity and is often the first thing a customer sees. If it’s confusing, those potential sales will likely pass you right by. If its forgettable, there’s a good chance you’ll never see them again.

Having a name that doesn’t capture your business well can spell disaster for your bottom line. Without the income to keep the lights on, you may not be in business for long.

On the other side, this title announces to the world your style and, in many ways, what you stand for. Sell yourself with your name and tell the story of what your company is all about. A customer that resonates with your business has a higher likelihood of coming back, even if other stores offer a better deal.

The right name allows your business to stand out among countless others from the same niche. It doesn’t take much to start a store in our digital age, and competition is fierce. At the end of the day, every customer counts.

How to Come Up With a Business Name Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions regarding how to come up with a business name.

What is a catchy name?

A catchy name is something that stands out among a sea of words. When you think of a catchy jingle, it often gets stuck in your head and you find yourself singing it over and over.

How do I find a unique name?

With so many businesses in the world, it may take some creativity to come up with something unique. Think outside the box and add in personal touches to make your name different.

What makes a name sound good?

A good name rolls off the tongue and is easy to say. People tend to repeat words they like if they believe it sounds good.

Bottom Line on How to Come Up With a Business Name

It’s worth taking as much time as you need when naming a business to ensure you get it right. Shoot for something short and simple, but catchy and memorable all at the same time. Following the above steps will help you navigate the process and arrive at the perfect name for you.

Register your business name with ZenBusiness

November 22, 2022February 16, 2023

Square POS Review – Pros, Cons, and System Cost

Square POS hardware on a black background

Square POS is an intuitive point-of-sale system designed to facilitate payments both in person and online. It breaks out of traditional molds by offering a number of additional features that add up to a robust all-in-one platform. This article explores the tools Square POS offers to take your business to the next level.

Get started with Square POS

Square POS Review – Our Verdict

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Square’s POS software is very business-friendly with a free Basic plan and card reader to collect in-person charges. Online businesses can take advantage of a user-friendly website builder to design the perfect store.

You will have to use its payment processing system and subsequent fees, which fall on the higher side. Some tools, such as marketing, loyalty, and payroll do come with an additional charge.

Get Square POS for your business

Basic plan is free to use
Free reader for in-person sales
Systems for several business types

Must use Square’s payment processing
Processing rates are on the expensive side
Marketing tools cost extra

Square POS Review at a Glance

Square POS offers the perfect blend of tools for physical locations, online stores, and businesses firmly in both worlds. This makes it our top pick for the best POS software out there.

There are a number of hardware tools from portable card readers to terminals and registers you can use to set up your brick-and-mortar business any way you choose. Square’s free online store and website builder has everything you need to build a professional digital sales platform, even if you have no prior knowledge.

Basic plans across all business types are completely free for as long as you remain at that tier. Prices increase incrementally as you upgrade plans and gain access to more features. Processing rates are a bit on the high side but only come out of any transitions you make.

No matter what tier you start off at, Square POS has checkout and payment tools to bring in sales and inventory management tools to prevent you from running out of bestsellers. The platform automatically builds customer profiles, offers thorough reports, and even has banking options.

Who Square POS is Best For

Square POS’s range of features works well for startups and larger businesses alike, whether you’re in person or online. New companies can join Square for free and never worry about monthly payments or surprise charges. Enterprises with high sales numbers can uncover custom pricing, lower processing rates, and get the most out of Square’s extensive feature set.

Get Square POS for your business

Square POS System Cost

Square POS system cost changes depending on whether your business falls into retail, restaurants, or you do business by appointment.

Price

$0 – $60/month

$0 – $69/month

Credit Card Rates

2.9% + 30¢ online,

2.5 to 2.6 + 10¢ in person

2.9% + 30¢ online,

2.6 + 10¢ in person

2.9% + 30¢ online,

2.5 to 2.6 + 10¢ in person

Online Store

Additional Features

Sales reports, integrated payments, team management, inventory management, client management

Unlimited locations and devices, menu and table management, unlimited KDS, shift reports, inventory management

Automated reminders, online booking tools, team management, client management, multiple payment options

Square POS builds each of its plans with a particular industry in mind. Each industry-specific plan has a free-forever option perfect for those starting out. Prices rise to $60 if you want to use more features. Processing rates don’t vary much, but each plan type has specific features to help your business succeed.

Square POS for restaurant user dashboard

Square POS Features

Square POS has several incredible features, and many of them are available completely for free. Check out the standout ones below.

Payments

With Square POS, you can take payments from anywhere you do business. Sales and payment tools even tie into Instagram and Facebook, where customers can buy with the tap of a button. If you make sales on the go, there’s even an option to accept payments through your smartphone.

The invoicing system makes it easy to accept payments remotely from regular customers or other businesses buying your products. Invoices can start out as estimates to quote jobs and land you contracts. You can use Square’s system to track where invoices are and which still need to be paid.

The POS system accepts all the major credit cards, whether in a physical location or through the internet. Online credit card rates come in at 2.9% + 30¢, whereas in-person rates vary slightly from 2.5% + 10¢ to 2.6% + 10¢, depending on your plan.

Checkout

Online checkout with Square POS is fast and flexible no matter your business type. You can customize your checkout page with Buy buttons or QR codes to expedite the process. The in-person process is just as fast, with credit card readers, full registers, and barcode scanners.

Hardware

Square POS has an assortment of hardware tools to not only give your brick-and-mortar store a professional feel but allow for an easy and quick sales process.

Plans come with a free card reader you can attach to a smartphone or tablet to take payments, but you can purchase terminals, stands, or registers as well. Accessories such as a cash drawer, barcode scanner, or receipt printer complete the look.

Contract Length

There are no long-term contracts with Square POS. You can upgrade from the free plan at any time to one of Square POS’s paid services. Anyone enrolled in a paid tier can make changes at the end of every 30-day billing cycle.

Online Store

All Square POS plans come with an online store to expand your business across multiple channels. The included website builder makes it easy to drag and drop your way to the site of your dreams.

Personalize all aspects of your site to drive more sales and push customers toward high markup items. Square POS online stores work across mobile devices to reach more people for less work. Alongside credit cards, you can accept payments from pay apps to maximize sales potential.

Inventory Management

Inventory management tools allow you to sort products among different categories and attach SKUs for tracking purposes. If you sell both in-person and online, Square POS keeps tabs on how much of each item you have left in stock, so you don’t have to.

Plus users get additional features, such as smart stock forecasts and managing goods across multiple locations. You can also set up automatic purchase orders to go out once an item falls below a certain amount.

Payroll

Square Payroll is an optional add-on, starting at $35 per month and increasing by $5 per active employee.

Your team can use Square’s POS system to clock in and out on shifts so you can accurately track hours and make all your employee payments from a single source. Businesses can tie in tips and commissions as well.

The software will also automatically calculate your quarterly and annual tax filings so you don’t have to. There’s no need to worry about costly mistakes or compliance issues across one or multiple states.

Customer Profiles and Management

Whenever you make a sale, Square POS automatically generates customer information into your database. The system adds to data as customers shop again, building a profile you can use to reward loyalty or generate targeted marketing campaigns.

Mobile App

If you’re on the road, the Square app allows you to follow your business, check sales information, and update inventory all from your phone. You can engage your customers from the Square app, receive orders if you’re running deliveries, and update your online store with the latest products.

Marketing and Loyalty

Marketing and loyalty tools are add-on features designed to keep customers engaged and coming back for more.

You can create campaigns through email or text message, depending on customer preferences and data you’ve collected in customer profiles. A marketing strategy can share information on new items, promote in-store events, or send out exclusive sales deals. Change up campaign type or template depending on the deal or who you target.

Square POS allows you to automate the marketing process once you’ve set it up the first time. It can send welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, ping customers you haven’t seen in a while, and more.

With loyalty programs, it’s possible to send one-time coupons to specific customers as a thank you for repeated business. Similarly, you can set up reward points they can redeem over time. The software will prompt customers to sign up at the time of sale so you don’t have to.

Marketing tools start at $15 per month, with loyalty tools starting at $45 per month.

Reporting and Analytics

With sales reports, you’ll know which inventory items are flying off the shelves and where you’re making the most money. At higher pricing tiers, it’s possible to break down reports by vendor, check profit margins, and view products by category to see what customers prefer the most.

Banking

To really stand out among the competition, Square POS incorporates basic banking tools to help you pay vendors and set aside finances.

Checking accounts grant instant access to your funds by way of a free business debit card. There are no minimums or recurring fees to worry about. With a savings account, you can set aside a portion of your sales for tax purposes or a looming expense.

If you need extra cash quickly, Square POS has a loan service for up to $250K. There’s no interest on the loan as you pay it back, just one flat monthly fee you’ll need to keep up with.

Alternatives to Square POS

Square POS has a ton of great features but may not be for everyone. Here are some other options to consider if Square doesn’t speak to you.

Shopify POS

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Shopify POS Review

Shopify POS connects users with a powerful ecommerce network and website builder that even the most computer illiterate can use to generate online income. Sales tools extend to brick-and-mortar locations as well, with robust payment options through many types of hardware.

If shipping across the city or the country, Shopify’s deals with major carriers earn you up to 88% off shipping costs.

You can get started for as low as $29 per month, but plans can reach $299 if you want to bring credit card rates down or access more features. Payment rates start very high and don’t drop too much even at the highest level.

The top-tier POS features are locked away behind a separate PRO plan at $89 per month. While most small businesses can make do with included tools, larger companies will have to consider this additional expense if choosing Shopify for point of sale tools.

Smooth omni channel selling
Powerful online store builder
Shipping discounts from the major carriers

Only two staff accounts at the Basic level
High payment processing fees
Shopify POS PRO is a costly add-on

Clover POS

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Clover leans more on the brick and mortar side of POS, including hardware in each of its plans. The devices you receive vary depending on the plan you choose, but at the very least you’ll get a touchscreen you or your customers can use.

Pricing models vary considerably depending on the type of business you run. Clover has some pre-built POS systems but will also customize plans to your specific needs should you desire. No matter which way you go, your first month of service is on the house.

You can add an online store to your POS system as well, but unlike Square, this is an optional upcharge. While easy to set up, the additional cost only adds to the confusion of monthly pricing options. It’s best to work directly with Clover for your point of sale software, as some third-party sellers are not reputable.

Hardware included in each plan
First month of service is free
Customizable to any industry

Confusing pricing model
Some Clover partners may not do legitimate business
Keyed-in transactions have significantly higher processing rates

Revel Systems

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Revel Systems is a favorite of anyone with some developer knowledge under their belt. The adaptable Open API platform lets you build POS your way, and you can further customize your system with flexible payment options.

The platform is in no way limited to programmers, though. Revel Systems’ POS software is intuitive, with a number of tools for managing inventory, customers, and your team. Everything can run off iPad devices if you want to go that route.

Monthly pricing starts at $99 per terminal, and this rate requires you to buy two terminals and sign a three-year contract. At nearly $200 per month, Revel Systems may be out of reach for some smaller businesses. Revel Systems is quite unclear about its payment processing rates, requiring you to make a phone call to see what yours would be.

Adaptable Open API platform
Customizable payment system
Runs off iPad devices

Best rate requires two terminals and a three-year contract
No transparency with payment processing rates
Monthly pricing is expensive

TouchBistro

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TouchBistro is a restaurant-exclusive POS software with all the fixings you’ll need to run your fast food business or sit down. Wait staff can take orders and send them to the back of the house through standard iPad devices, maintaining a professional vibe while saving on expensive hardware.

It will cost you a minimum of $69 per month to start using the majority of TouchBistro’s restaurant tools. There are no tiers of service; instead, you add additional features to cover all your business needs.

Add-ons include features like online ordering, reservations, and marketing tools that come with the means to up your sales numbers. You’ll have to weigh the costs of these tools with profit potential to see what makes sense.

By signing up, you commit to at least a one-year contract. Make sure you iron out processing fees and add-ons before you buy so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

Several restaurant POS tools
Works with iPad devices
Always available customer support

Minimum one-year contract
Nontransparent hardware and processing fees
Add-ons like online ordering are not cheap

Square POS Review – Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Square POS for free?

With the Basic plan, it doesn’t cost so much as a penny to set up and use a Square account. You’ll only incur fees when a customer makes a transaction.

What percentage does Square take?

For online users, Square takes 2.9% + 30¢ for their cost of doing business. In-person transactions are a bit less, averaging 2.6% + 10¢ for every card swipe.

Can I use Square POS without hardware?

Square has a virtual terminal that allows you to take payments without hardware. Be aware that keyed-in credit card transactions have much higher processing fees.

Will Square POS work with no internet?

Square’s offline mode lets you continue to collect payments even if the internet is down. When you reestablish your connection, the system will automatically process all those charges for you.

Bottom Line on Square POS Review

Square POS is an excellent point-of-sale system, allowing your business to accept payments from any medium. It doesn’t stop there, offering an online store, management tools, and even banking to an already impressive package. Best of all, businesses of any size can take advantage of Square’s features thanks to a free plan and attractive pricing options.

Try out Square POS!

November 21, 2022February 24, 2023

Shopify POS Review: A Perfect Marriage of POS and Ecommerce

Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system your business can use to accept payments while managing inventory, staff, and sales. Whether your operations are online-only or you need Shopify POS hardware for your physical store, Shopify POS has the tools you need to succeed. This Shopify POS review will show you how one simple system can maximize your business’s potential.

Get started with Shopify POS today.

Shopify POS Review: Our Verdict

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Businesses of any size can make use of Shopify POS’s omnichannel sales tools and powerful online store builders to reach the most customers. Be prepared for slightly higher than average processing fees from credit card transactions, especially with some of the cheaper plans. To lessen the sting, you’ll receive some fantastic shipping discounts on all outgoing packages.

To get the most out of your Shopify POS system, you’ll need to come up with an additional $89 per month to go PRO. Only here will you have smart inventory management, unlimited staff logins, and the whole gamut of analytics.

Smooth omni channel selling
Powerful online store builder
Shipping discounts from the major carriers

Only two staff accounts at the Basic level
High payment processing fees
Shopify POS PRO is a costly add-on

Get started with Shopify POS today.

Shopify POS System at a Glance

Shopify POS offers the means to maximize sales for your physical or online store with mobile pay and credit card payment processing. If you sell from multiple locations, you can also track inventory changes and utilize reports to see which items are hot.

Built-in checkout and payment tools aim to improve the consumer experience and boost revenue. Customer profiles track customer habits, so you can tailor deals to demand or reward shoppers for loyalty.

Best of all, Shopify’s point-of-sale system is only one part of an impressive suite of services. What really sets it apart is the eCommerce platform millions of businesses use every day.

Point of sale and eCommerce software are so intertwined that you can’t purchase one without the other. Plans start at just $29 per month and grow alongside the needs of your business.

Screenshot of Shopify POS home dashboard

Who Shopify POS System is Best For

Any business able to handle $29/month is a good candidate for Shopify POS. As your company demands additional features, you can upgrade to more comprehensive plans or invest in Shopify POS PRO. Even large businesses should find everything they need with all of Shopify’s tools at their disposal.

If you’re starting an online store and need a POS, Shopify should be one of your top picks the best POS software for your business.

Shopify POS Pricing

Shopify POS has three price tiers you can take advantage of as your company’s needs change. Check out the chart below to find the best plan for your business.

Price

$29/month

$79/month

$299/month

Staff Accounts

Credit Card Rates

2.9% + 30¢ USD online

2.7% + 0¢ USD in person

2.6% + 30¢ USD online

2.5% + 0¢ USD in person

2.4% + 30¢ USD online

2.4% + 0¢ USD in person

Online Store

24/7 Support

Inventory Locations

Up to 4

Up to 5

Up to 8

Reports

Basic

Standard

Advanced

Shipping Discounts

Up to 77%

Up to 88%

Each tier includes Shopify’s powerful online store builder and a support team that never rests. Differences start to appear with credit card rates, where you’ll see a drop in fees the higher up the list you go.

The Basic plan only allows for two managers to log in and make administrative adjustments. You can have 15 managers helping you on the top level once you make the move to the Advanced tier.

Other features also get progressively better as you step up the ladder, such as the quality of reports and shipping discounts. You can also track and sell inventory across more warehouses or retail locations as the need arises.

Shopify PRO

If you want to elevate your POS software to the next level, Shopify PRO removes limitations on store staff logins and the number of registers you can use with your account. It also kicks inventory management into high gear and boosts your omnichannel selling with new features.

Adding Shopify PRO to your account costs $89 per month in addition to whichever plan you signed up for.

Check out what Shopify PRO has to offer.

Shopify POS System Features

Shopify POS has no shortage of tools to help your business out. Let’s take a look at the key features now.

Screenshot of Features page of Shopify POS website

Payments

Whether you’re doing business in person or on the web, Shopify POS has you covered. The software works with popular payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Google, and Apple Pay.

Credit card rates vary depending on the plan you use and where customers are shopping from. Online orders incur a 30¢ transaction fee on top of the cut Shopify takes for helping you do business. Charges range from 2.9% at the Basic level to 2.4% should you upgrade to Advanced.

Online fees work the same way, starting at 2.7% at Basic and dropping to 2.4% at Advanced. In addition to better rates, internet purchases don’t have a transaction fee.

Checkout

Customers bogged down by the checkout experience may leave their merchandise and run. Shopify POS facilitates the process from any device to keep shoppers happy. The software automatically calculates taxes and can provide email receipts.

In-store barcode scanners make for quick transactions. It’s possible to print out custom receipts with your store’s information in hopes of bringing customers back in the future.

Shopify POS Hardware

You can deck out your brick-and-mortar store with Shopify POS hardware designed to speed up the sales process. Its standout tool is POS Go which looks like a phone but incorporates a barcode scanner, card reader, access to customer profiles, and more.

To make your business look even more professional, you can add registers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and more. These devices all talk to each other through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a wired connection.

Contract Length

You don’t have to get locked into a long-term contract by signing up for Shopify POS. Any plan you choose can be month to month, allowing you to upgrade or cancel without worrying about termination fees.

A yearly contract is available if you want to bring prices down. The commitment discounts monthly rates by 50%.

Ecommerce Platform

Shopify is one of the best eCommerce platforms that millions of businesses use for online sales. Each of its POS plans includes the tools to create an incredible site of your own.

You don’t need one iota of coding knowledge to build your site, either. Shopify’s drag-and-drop system makes it easy to create the online store you want without the headaches that come with programming. If you do have programming skills, the sky’s the limit of what you can do.

There are thousands of themes to choose from, and Shopify’s websites are optimized for products and selling. If you’re just starting out, you can use the built-in generator for your business name or domain.

Shipping Discounts

Perks for using Shopify’s point-of-sale software even extend to shipping. No matter where you send products, you’ll receive competitive shipping rates from UPS, USPS, or DHL Express. Discounts can reach up to 88% off standard costs.

Anyone using the Shopify or Advanced plans gets additional savings on smaller packages, but Basic users miss out. There’s also up to $200 including insurance coverage if you use Shopify shipping labels.

Inventory Management

You can connect up to eight locations with your Shopify account to manage retail inventory. While this could mean multiple store locations, it also includes storage facilities or products hot off the manufacturing line. Inventory automatically updates when you fill orders or move products to a different place.

The rest of Shopify’s inventory management tools are only accessible if you’re a Shopify PRO member. PRO members can view inventory analysis and reports identifying sales trends and decide which items are worth keeping in stock. You’ll also get a heads-up if items are running low and purchase order suggestions based on products flying off the shelves.

Customer Profiles

Repeat customers are a business’s bread and butter. Shopify will build customer profiles listing contact information, purchases, lifetime spending, and pertinent notes about likes and dislikes. You can use these metrics to adjust marketing preferences or reward loyalty.

Reporting and Analytics

Shopify has a wide variety of reports you can use to track store performance and discover trends among your shoppers.

Retail sales reports allow you to view sales based on staff member, location, customer, or time of day. Product and inventory reports reveal what’s selling and which items only collect dust. You can even see cash flow and whether your sales promotions are helping or hindering your bottom line.

Alternatives to Shopify POS System

Shopify POS has some powerful features, but it may not be for everyone. Check below for some alternatives that may be more of your style.

Square POS

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Square POS Review

New businesses tend to love Square’s Basic plan, which is completely free to use for the life of your company. It even includes a free card reader you can attach to a tablet or mobile device, so you can theoretically sell without any initial out-of-pocket costs. Square for Restaurants is also our top pick for the best restaurant POS systems.

Square has two other service tiers with advanced features to consider as your business grows. The Premium tier is only available to larger businesses making over $250,000 annually. Since all plans are month to month, you can change them at almost any time.

Among its bonus features, the POS software gives access to your very own online store to build your internet presence. There is also a slew of inventory management tools and sales reports to stay on top of your business needs.

Credit card processing rates are on the high side, effectively dipping into your bottom line. You’ll have to use Square’s payment processing system, so there’s nothing you can do to get these fees down. Adding to the strain on your pocket, marketing, and loyalty tools are not included in standard rates.

Basic plan is free to use
Free reader for in-person sales
Systems for several business types

Must use Square’s payment processing
Processing rates are on the expensive side
Marketing tools cost extra

Clover POS

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Clover offers an excellent POS system catering, especially to brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform has all-in-one solutions built around restaurants, retail, and various professional and personal services. If your company doesn’t fit into one of these molds, Clover can create a package just for you.

There are several plans for each industry type depending on the features you need. All plans come with hardware in the form of touchscreens, kiosks, or full registers for your transactions.

Your entire first month of service comes at no cost to you as a gift for choosing Clover. This lessens some of the pain surrounding monthly pricing, which requires a phone call to sales to sort out. It’s best to do business directly through Clover, as some third-party vendors are not very reputable.

An online store through Clover is an optional add-on, causing monthly rates to jump even higher. Keyed-in transactions come with high fees, so make use of your card readers whenever possible.

Hardware included in each plan
First month of service is free
Customizable to any industry

Confusing pricing model
Some Clover partners may not do legitimate business
Keyed-in transactions have significantly higher processing rates

Revel Systems

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Revel Systems opens the door to customization tools that allow you to create the perfect POS system for your business. Alongside flexible payment options, developers can use the adaptable Open API platform to integrate other software and build game-changing solutions.

If programming isn’t your thing, Revel Systems still has an intuitive point-of-sale software with inventory and customer management. Everything can run off a standard iPad device if you’d rather not invest in potentially expensive proprietary hardware.

Pricing begins at $99/month per terminal, requiring a three-year contract and the purchase of at least two terminals. Startups may be unable to come up with these funds early on in the game. Revel Systems isn’t clear about its card processing rates, forcing you to call for a quote.

Adaptable Open API platform
Customizable payment system
Runs off iPad devices

Best rate requires two terminals and a three-year contract
No transparency with payment processing rates
Monthly pricing is expensive

Lightspeed POS

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Lightspeed’s inventory management tools leave other POS providers in the dust. You can track products across multiple locations like Shopify, but Lightspeed lets you assign custom SKUs and reorder supplies directly from its platform.

Everyone except those in the Basic tier gets access to Lightspeed’s eCommerce platform for online sales. There’s also free onboarding assistance until your team is up to speed on everything Lightspeed has to offer.

Payment processing fees do not vary from plan to plan or business type and actually come in a bit lower than most of the competition. Monthly prices to use the POS software start at $69/month and only go up from there.

On the hardware side, Lightspeed software runs on any iPad device to help keep costs down. You’ll have to call for a quote if you want to use a register, cash box, or receipt printer.

Robust inventory management system
Free onboarding assistance
Lower payment processing fees

eCommerce platform not included in the basic tier
Must request a quote for hardware pricing
On the pricey side

Shopify POS Review – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Shopify POS.

Is POS free on Shopify?

POS is technically free on Shopify at the basic level. However, you need to purchase an online store package to make use of Shopify’s point-of-sale features.

What is the difference between Shopify and Shopify POS systems?

Shopify is more than just point-of-sale software. Its other half is an online platform for managing customers, inventory, and account details.

Can you use Shopify POS system without a card reader?

Yes, you can use Shopify POS without purchasing a card reader. You’ll have full access to whatever suite of features you buy. You can manually key in credit cards, but processing rates are quite a bit higher this way.

Can you use Shopify POS system on a desktop computer?

It is possible to run Shopify POS on a desktop computer with the ConnectPOS system from Shopify’s app store. The software costs $19 per month on top of everything else you’re paying for the service.

Bottom Line on Shopify POS Review

Shopify POS combines the best point-of-sale software with an impressive eCommerce platform. In addition to omnichannel selling, you’ll have inventory and staff management tools alongside comprehensive reports and the Shopify POS hardware you might need for a brick-and-mortar location. Businesses small and large turn to Shopify for its long list of features that grow right along with you.

Get started with Shopify POS today.

November 20, 2022March 29, 2023

LLC Name Search: Ultimate Guide to Finding a Unique LLC Name

Businessman finger touching an empty LLC name search bar

No matter which state you’re starting a limited liability company (LLC) in, you’ll need a unique name to do business with. States will not let you use a designation already taken by another business entity. Read on to discover how an LLC name search can facilitate this process.

Check out ZenBusiness for all the tools you need to start your LLC with ease.

What is an LLC Name Search?

You’ve come up with the perfect name for your new LLC and are all set to submit registration documents to the state. If your fantastic moniker is already in use, the state will reject your paperwork and request you to resubmit with a different name choice. Any failed attempt to open your doors can cost untold amounts of time and money.

That’s where an LLC name search comes in. Many business registration services have an LLC lookup tool you can use to uncover which names are available and those already in use. The probe will also identify similar titles that could similarly affect the state’s decision.

Run an LLC name search with ZenBusiness

Tips for Naming Your LLC

Your LLC name can ultimately make or break your business. Customers want to connect emotionally with your brand and often use a name to do so. Here are some important tips to remember when creating yours.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

LLC name search tools are an excellent way to reveal options you haven’t been considering. ZenBusiness allows business owners to input a list of keywords the platform will sift through to locate ideas.

Other sites contain business name generators that may help point you in the right direction. Just be sure to put these in an LLC lookup before attempting to register your business.

Plan for Future Expansion

Be careful not to shoehorn yourself into a niche you may want to break out of in the future. If you’re too specific in your choice, customers may have no idea you offer more than your name implies.

For instance, don’t call your company Carl’s Boots if you plan to sell other types of shoes and perhaps even clothing down the road. Also avoid names that limit you to a specific city or region, as who knows how your business will take off.

Catchy is Key

Shoppers are more likely to remember a name that’s clear and concise, even if a longer name sounds cool. We absorb so much content nowadays, there’s only a limited amount of information that stays with us. If there’s a chance of a customer forgetting your business name, they likely will.

On that note, your name needs to stand out against all the other companies offering the same products or services you are. What’s a name conveying what you’re selling that consumers will recall the next time they need what you provide?

You need to find a fine line between boring and being too far out there. Your team shouldn’t be embarrassed by your name and not want to tell people where they work. Say it out loud to make sure it sounds good audibly in addition to being a winner on paper.

Give your company’s title meaning, even if that importance currently only belongs to you. This can become part of your story and may help to sell your brand and products.

Don’t Use Complicated Spelling

Customers may not be the best spellers, and typing errors from complex names may lead them away from your site instead. Similarly, using intentional misspellings to skirt around names already in use could send shoppers into your competitor’s hands.

If someone can’t find your site the first time they search, chances are they aren’t going to try again. A simple, to-the-point title accomplishes way more than you think.

Get Some Feedback

Once you’ve heard a handful of names in your own head a few dozen times, try them out on people you trust to give good feedback. Lean towards unbiased people who have a good ear for naming conventions. Don’t hesitate to seek out feedback from your target audience through forums or social media to hear their thoughts on your ideas.

Don’t Mislead

When starting an LLC, don’t try to tag your business name with “corporation” or some form of the word. In that same vein, don’t imply your company deals in some type of business it doesn’t actually have. If you’re not a doctor, don’t allude to the fact that you are.

LLC Naming Requirements

Your business name has to clearly indicate that you are, in fact, an LLC. Therefore, it must include some form of “Limited Liability Company”. Most businesses choose to stick this designation at the end.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some common ways owners indicate their business structure:

Limited Liability Company
Limited Company
Limited
L.L.C.
LLC
L.C.
LC
Ltd. Liability Co.

Check for Trademarks

LLC registration protects you at the state level, but companies in other states can still make use of the same name. Trademarks exist on the federal level and trump state name availability.

Perform a check before registering your business so you don’t end up infringing on a trademark. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the best place to perform such a search.

Look to the State

Each state is allowed to have rules and regulations surrounding LLC names. Be sure to access this information from the state you’re registering in and make sure you meet all the guidelines.

Be Happy With Your Name

With a little luck, the name you choose will be with you forever as your business blossoms and grows. Make sure you’re happy with what you’ve chosen so you don’t become disillusioned with your company later on. It’s worth a little extra effort to come up with something you’ll always like.

Grab a Domain

Any LLC planning to have an online presence should obtain a domain name during the registration process. Linking your business name to your website is essential for removing customer confusion and boosting your credibility. Sticking with the original “.com” tag is always best, as most consumers will go there first.

Domain provider NameCheap offers some of the best deals on the web. It’s not possible to purchase a domain outright, but you can rent one for up to ten years if you so desire. Don’t let your domain name lapse before you’ve had a chance to re-up your contract.

Reserve a Name

Even if you’re not quite ready to register your LLC, it’s a smart move to lock in your ideal name as soon as you come up with it. Most states will allow you to reserve a name for somewhere between 30 days and a year if you pay the applicable fees.

How to do an LLC Name Search

The best LLC services offer the tools you need for building an LLC from the ground up. Investing in one of these platforms simplifies the LLC creation process, and many include unlimited LLC name searches for free on their site.

Run an LLC name search with ZenBusiness easily

Should you want to search directly with the state instead, the following links will take you where you need to go.

LLC Name Search Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This FAQ has answers to the most common questions corresponding to LLC name searches.

Should I name my LLC after myself?

Many entrepreneurs over the years have named businesses after themselves. While it’s overt in cases like Air Jordan, other companies like Bose and Tupperware may be less obvious. If you decide to follow suit, make sure your name doesn’t limit your ability to grow in some way.

Does your logo have to match your business name?

There’s no requirement to have your logo match your business name. However, both serve to promote your brand and may create confusion if not the same.

Does my website name have to be the same as my LLC name?

Your website doesn’t have to match your LLC name in any way. Although they can be completely different, people searching for you online may become confused or put off if these names aren’t the same.

Is a business name a legal name?

The moment you register your LLC, your business name becomes your company’s legal name. Unless you file a DBA, you’ll need to use your business name on legal and government documents.

Bottom Line on LLC Name Search

The right business name can make all the difference in a never-ending sea of competitors. Customers will buy from a name they resonate with, but may avoid you like the plague if they can’t follow your angle. An LLC name search can help narrow down possibilities in your state while saving time and money when it comes time to register your business.

ZenBusiness has a free LLC search tool on its site for just such a purpose. With the tool, you can identify unavailable names and get ideas for yours based on your favorite keywords. After picking out your name, ZenBusiness can help you with the rest of the registration process for one low fee.

Run an LLC name search with ZenBusiness

Is TruthFinder Legit? – Our Verdict

TruthFinder at a Glance

Who TruthFinder is Best For

Is TruthFinder Legit?

TruthFinder Cost

TruthFinder Features

People Search

Public Records Search

Reverse Phone Lookup

Dark Web Search

Accurate Reports

TruthFinder App

Easy-to-Use Dashboard

Search Anonymously

Protect Your Online Presence

Alternatives to TruthFinder

TruthFinder Review – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bottom Line on TruthFinder

Best Business Bank Accounts by State

Our Verdict – Toast POS System Review

Toast POS at a Glance

Who Toast POS is Best For

Toast POS Cost

Starter Kit

Point of Sale

Essentials

Restaurant Basics

Toast POS Features

Order and Table Management

Menu Management

Toast POS Hardware

Reporting and Analytics

Payroll and Team Management

Online Ordering

Email Marketing – Loyalty

Toast POS Customer Support

Alternatives to Toast POS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bottom Line on Toast POS Review

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