GoDaddy Can Now Incorporate Your Company

2009 November 15
by MHB

Domain registrar Go Daddy rolled out a new product this week providing businesses incorporation services for both corporations and LLC’s.in all 50 states

Like many online incorporation sites, Godaddy asks some basic questions, and then files the necessary paperwork on behalf of the applicant and send the the filed incorporation documents to the applicant within a few weeks.

Bob Parsons, Go Daddy CEO and founder. “Go Daddy wanted to help make the whole incorporation process affordable and painless, which is why we’re offering Incorporation Services.”

“”When the incorporation services is combined with Go Daddy’s domain name registration services, WebSite Tonight and Quick Shopping Cart, customers can launch a legitimate business without having to hire a lawyer”"

Incorporation Services is offered in two levels. The Economy plan is $99, plus state fees, and includes everything that is needed to incorporate a business.

The Deluxe plan is $279, plus state fees, and includes a Federal Employer Identification Number, an additional six Months of Registered Agent Service, and expedited shipping.

This seems like a natural product for Godaddy to offer.

One of the biggest knocks I have on the online registration services is that there is not enough emphasis placed on discussion of the Sub S election for small business that can save a huge amount of taxes.

Even the deluxe package doesn’t  provide the applicantant a subchapter S election form along with the paperwork.  A subchapter S election must be filed within 75 days of incorporation or be subject to taxation for that year as a regular “C” corporation costing thousands or hundreds of thousand of extra taxes.

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20 Responses leave one →
  1. 2009 November 15

    I have used GoDaddy for years for other services and I just recently saw this as well. I am getting closer to registering my LLC and had already made up my mind to go with Legal Zoom. But from a quick glance a few days ago it seems GoDaddy is a little cheaper.

    Seems like a good fit for a one stop shop to get your company domain, hosting, website development and your corporation all in one spot.

  2. 2009 November 15
    Duane permalink

    I have been looking into starting a U.S. based company beginning of 2010 . I see most domainers going for a LLC . I was recomended to go INC. So what’s best? Also I was told to get based in Nevada because of lower taxes.

    I run my company in Europe and laws are totaly different here. Maybe someone could give me a answer what to go with LLC or INC.

    Mike , I sure would need some info on this. With your background I am sure you could give some tips. You have my email and I would defenantly need to talk to a pro in the domain business.

    Who ever can answer please do.

  3. 2009 November 15

    MyCorporation is also recommended with regards to their service. And the processing still FREE, you don’t have to pay the economy or deluxe plan fees.

    Hope this help.

  4. 2009 November 15
    MHB permalink

    EM

    Just to be clear I’m not recommending this service, just letting people know that Godaddy is now offering it

  5. 2009 November 15
    MHB permalink

    Duane

    Your comment serves as a great example why I don’t like these services

    There are many factors to consider which these services cannot answer for you and for which you should seek legal advice.

    As always, I can point out issues and problems but I cannot render legal advice.

  6. 2009 November 15

    If I understand MHB’s original post correctly, GoDaddy includes 6 months/1 year of Registered Agent service, which can be a significant part of the cost of incorporating if you are not going to live in the state where you set up your business. Before moving to Baja Sur, Mexico, I looked into incorporating a Nevada LLC and the first year’s expenses were going to be nearly $1,000! GoDaddy’s fees seem like a steal to me. FYI, the “plus state fees” in Nevada will run you another $75.

  7. 2009 November 15

    Oops! GoDaddy says the Nevada state fees are $232

  8. 2009 November 16
    Steve M permalink

    Duane,

    Your decision is too important; being based as it to a large degree on a persons/ entity’s individual situation /physical/ biz location for you to make a call based on any public comments by others.

    You really need to hire an attorney in your country; and maybe one in the US as well to help you decide.

  9. 2009 November 16
    Cartoonz permalink

    After all the horror stories I’ve seen regarding all the things GoDaddy can and will do to customers and their domain names, they would be the last people I would ever trust to have anything to do with my company formation – let alone actually be entrusted as the Registered Agent!

  10. 2009 November 16
    Duane permalink

    @Mike and all others thanks for the info.

    I have a U.S. lawyer working on it at the momment, just that most have no idea of this business. That’s why I put this issue out here in the ” Lions Cave” :-) ).

    The expenses i have seen and which have been pointed out so far, are near to nothing compared to here in Europe.

    My company based in Germany is a german “GmbH” ( simular to a U.S. corp.)
    To file for a ” GmbH” here, you have to CASH deposit 25000.00 Euro ( $ 37500.00) just for security which shows you are liquid as a company. This is without any legal fees or what ever. The first year expenses runs aprox. another 2000.00 Euro ( $ 3000.00) .

    This was just to give all a insight how good you are off in the U. S.

    Once again thanks for the info’s.

  11. 2009 November 16

    This will not effect me much being in the UK but as a long time customer of Go Daddy I am very happy to see then continue to add products to their range. Maybe one day they will expand and offer a Limited company formation service for UK clients.

  12. 2009 November 16

    Please wait until I catch my breath before I make my comment… whew… okay… thx

    Here goes: I agree with Cartoonz’ comment here on Godaddy. Now, I expect lambs will be frolicking with lions, and Glenn Beck will reveal he drives a Volvo and smokes the doobage.

  13. 2009 November 16

    There’s a lot more to incorporating than filing initial papers. I used to be incorporated (as a professional corporation). My experience was that it was just another set of papers and a different set of tax forms. I never bothered anyone and nobody bothered me.

    BUT if I had done anything wrong and had been sued or squeezed by my state or the feds I would have been someone’s lunch. There really are a lot of things one must do as a corporation to really be a corporation, not just a person filing a different tax return. The moment an aggressive lawyer on the other side of a dispute wants to pierce your corporate veil you’re dead.

    Simply filing papers and calling yourself a corporation only works if no one challenges you.

    Consult a proper legal representative, do you own due diligence.

  14. 2009 November 16

    Hi,

    I was running a web design company in Bangalore, India before I started working in Dubai as a webmaster.

    I am developing a number of websites and become a domainer. I would like to register a company in US for my business, which don’t need any physical presence. I will be getting the development from India through my network of people.

    I will be very happy to get some guidance. If anyone interested in a joint venture, you are welcome.

    Regards

    Rafi

  15. 2009 November 16
    John Berryhill permalink

    “an additional six Months of Registered Agent Service”

    They are offering registered agent service in six month increments?

    Ummm…. that’s a service needed for the life of the corporation. Every Delaware corporation, for example, must have an occupied street address to receive service of process and to receive the annual fee statement.

    There’s something very odd about “six months” of that since, barring any legal activity, the agent has to be there to receive, forward, and return the fee statement every year.

  16. 2009 November 16
    MHB permalink

    John

    I assume before the 6 months is up they will send a bill of an undetermined amount to continue to serve.

  17. 2009 November 16
    Domain Investor permalink

    Initially, it sounds great to use a corporation mill to create your corporation. However, one of the purposes of forming a corporation is to protect the owner(s) from financial exposure.

    But, do you want to have your entire financial resources at the mercy of someone at Godaddy (or the outsourced service)?

    When a litigator prepares to sue you, the first place they look for a weakness is in your articles of Incorporation, charter, etc.

    It doesn’t make sense to cheat on your first line of financial protection.

    Next year, Godaddy is going to offer health consultation by email.
    It will be professionally manned by EMTs. (Emergency Medical Tech.)
    Right now, they are working on a patented procedure to attach to the email your x-ray amd MRI film.
    Also, you will be happy to know that you will have to do your own “turn your head and cough” and “Bend over the table and relax”.

  18. 2009 November 16

    As litigious as people and companies are, especially when it comes to domains/internet based business, I don’t believe GoDaddy is the place to trust setting up an entity to protect your intangible assets. Spend the money and hire a professional organization or attorney that specializes in corporate formation.

  19. 2009 November 17

    I see there are a couple of questions about the product. Let me help clarify a few points:

    After a state filing is completed, customers can elect to be classified as a Subchapter S Corporation through IRS Form 2553. We send along the form with the state documents. You can read about it here: http://help.godaddy.com/topic/776/article/5671

    Go Daddy sends customers a notice regarding their registered agent service before the initial six month term expires. If they choose to continue the registered agent service, the renewal fee is $99 for the next 6 months. Incorporation services customers are not obligated to use the registered agent service.

    Thanks,

    Nick Fuller
    GoDaddy.com
    Communications Manager

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