How to Register a Company Name Online

Finished your business plan and ready to make some money? Then it’s time to register a company name online with Companies House.

Deciding on a name is just one of the actions you need to take to register a company online. Read on and we’ll walk you through the full process step by step.

1. Choose a Company Structure

When most entrepreneurs register a company online, they select what’s called a ‘private company limited by shares’.

This structure can be an effective way of managing your tax. For instance, as a company director, you could draw some of your income from the company dividends, thereby paying less in income tax.

Another benefit is that your personal assets be at risk if the company gets into financial trouble. That’s because a limited company is a separate legal entity and responsible in its own right for all its debts.

2. Register a Company Name Online

Choose a name that helps explain what your business does when read in isolation. Avoid names that are difficult to spell. Think about how the name will work in a web address.

Make sure to pick a unique company name. One way to differentiate yourself is to include the location of your business (i.e. ‘South Leeds Roofers and Joiners’).

3. Sign Up for a Company Formation Package

With our company formation packages, you can register a company online quickly and simply. There are four packages to choose from:

• E-Formation (£9.99): perfect if you want to register a company name online and don’t need any official printed documents.
• Essential (£19.99): offers you complete confidence that you’re starting a company with the rules and regulations covered.
• Entrepreneur (£59.99): kick-start your next big venture with official compliance and additional documents of incorporation.
• Super (£89.99): the complete secretarial and compliance package to establish your company on a robust footing.

Best of all, when you sign up for one of our company formation packages, we pay the £12 Companies House filing fee for you!

4. Enter Your Company Information

When you register a company online, much of the information you provide will be made publically available. Companies House will want details of your:

• Company directors – your company must have at least one director. Companies House will want to know their name, date of birth and residential address.
• Company shareholders – every company must have at least one shareholder, but it can be the same person as the director. Companies House will want to know their name, date of birth and residential address.
• Registered office – this is the address where Companies House and HMRC will send mail. It must be in the UK and it must be possible to reach the company directors at the address.

If you don’t have a separate address for your business, you should use your home address to register a company online. But if you aren’t comfortable with your home address being made public, we offer a Registered Agent Service which lets you register your business at our Central London location.

5. Hand Out Company Shares

When you register a company online, you’ll need to allocate shares to your shareholder(s). The simplest way is to allocate one share to each shareholder, and make each individual share worth £1.

6. Submit the Memorandum and Articles of Association

These documents formalise how your company will be run. They need to be agreed on and signed by the company director(s), shareholder(s) and secretary before you register a company online.

We’ve drawn up article templates to meet the needs of most new businesses. You get access to these when you sign up for our company formation packages.

7. Submit Everything to Companies House

For same-day registration, submit your application by 3pm. That’s it – good luck with your new business!

Register your own business from £9.99

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