If you want to become a Filipino business owner one day, you’re probably wondering how to start your own business in the Philippines.
Well, guess what? I started and registered my own “Bisaya Digital” marketing agency earlier this month. I already have my business permit (license to operate), and I can now issue my business receipts.
I wanted to start my marketing agency at the start of the year, but I didn’t realize that I would register it within the year. After a good luck stroke, I took the courage to register and become a legal entity in the Philippines.
So, with that, here are the steps I took to start my digital marketing agency:
1. Decide on What Services (or Products) To Offer
If you want to become an entrepreneur, you need to find a specific service or product you want to sell. This could be the most challenging part of starting a business: figuring out what kind of business you should start.
In my experience, I offer digital marketing services to clients who want to grow their business using innovative digital marketing strategies. I help ecommerce businesses manage their Facebook ads campaign to become profitable and continuously scale their business over time.
2. Register Your Name at DTI
Once you have already decided on what kind of business you want to have, you need to have a legal entity name that is unique to you. Registering your business name has been so easy and convenient for everyone: it’s now online!
With just a few clicks and after paying through online payment (bank transfer, GCash, Paymaya), you can have your business name. Click this Business Name Registration to do that.
3. Get Business Permit at Mayor’s Office
This is where it gets tricky. Having your name registered at DTI is just the first step. The next steps will not be easy and confusing, especially for those who are unfamiliar with this.
I registered my business as a sole proprietor because this is the easiest. I am not yet looking into having a corporation (which is more complicated and tax-inefficient), but you can also consider that if you’d like.
To get a business certificate/permit, you will have to secure a barangay clearance form, contract of lease, and copy of your DTI certificate.
Since I didn’t have that much time to move around the offices, I asked help from a bookkeeper to process all the documents.
4. Register at BIR to Get Official Receipt
After securing a business permit, it’s time to get an authority to print your official receipts at BIR. You will have to register your business and process all the documents to become a tax-abiding business owner.
After issuing the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), you should be able to process the official receipts of your business and become a fully-registered business owner in the Philippines.
5. Find Clients (or Customers) To Help
The next step after registering your business is to make sure your business venture becomes a success. How? You need people to help and are willing to pay for your services (or products) that you’re offering.
Good luck, fellow Filipino entrepreneur! Let’s make the Philippines a better place and provide employment opportunities to our fellow citizens.
7 Responses
How about with apparel businesses Rome? Like lez say you don’t have a physical store but just doing it online. Haha do all businesses no matter if there’s a physical store or not need to be registered ba on DTI?
Thank you so much for this info, Rome. I kinda worry about putting up a business, especially I am having trust issues with the government hahahahaaa.. Later on, I would love to build a business in the future. Hoping to have a better place for my career in a business venture without worrying too much about my trust.
Thank you for this guide, Rome. It reminds me of the next steps I needed to take and do for my business, too. It can look taxing but the soon we do it, the better. 🙂
This year, I registered a new business for Self Employed Single proprietor which was way more complicated than the Self Employed professional I did Last Year.. Which one did you register, Single proprietor or Professional?
Good to know that not much has changed really, perhaps a content idea for you to explore is whats the best digital apps to use if you are running your startup biz? (Taxumo, salarium, etc..)
Likewise, Rome. I also registered my business and now paying for the quarterly percentage tax. I do my own bookkeeping – journal and ledger. I thought it was complicated but it is manageable. Great job, Rome!
I’m glad that you added a short guide on how to start a business! I’ve been wanting to get into it but don’t know how to go about it. Thanks Rome!