If you’re a business owner looking to move elsewhere, it’s a complex process that has many steps involved. To successfully move your business, it’s important to know what exactly goes into transferring your sales, clients, business office, and so much more.
To get started, here’s a list to help you find out how to move your business from one state to another.
1. Research new market
Moving to a new state can either mean new opportunities to spread your business, or a challenging climate to promote your business. Because of this, it’s important to conduct market research in your new area. You can do so by interviewing new people in the state, looking at research surveys, or reaching out to customers on social media for advice.
2. Follow state laws
Everything from cottage food laws to laws regarding the sales of cannabis and CBD products can change and vary from state to state. It’s important you understand what laws apply to the products you’re selling in your new state. Research state laws when it comes to your business, and ensure you’re not breaking any of them.
3. Consider storage
If you’re considering moving your business to another state due to downsizing, chances are you won’t have room in your garage to fit all your business supplies. Contact storage facilities in your new state if you plan on keeping old office supplies, or consider selling them in a garage sale or on sites such as ‘Offerup.’ Selling old supplies can be a great way to make some extra income for your business.
4. Visit your new state often
It’s not enough to just do market research on your state. Everything from the weather, to the people, the nearby restaurants, and much more are only apparent when you visit your new state. You shouldn’t move your business to a new state if you haven’t visited at least once. Take some time off or take a vacation to your new state before moving your business.
5. Consult with a real estate agent
One of the most important things to know on how to move your business from one state to another is the real estate market for commercial and residential property. Get in touch with some local realtors that can inform you on what the best commercial property and residential property location in your new state will be, if you plan on moving as well. A realtor can get you the best deals and are familiar with the local real estate market.
6. Change insurance policies
If you have a business that utilizes vans or vehicles, you might need to change your insurance policies. This is due to the fact that some states are considered no-fault states, while others are considered at-fault states and both require different insurance plans for vehicles. In addition, small business insurance such as liability insurance might differ from state to state. Make sure you know the insurance policy changes you’ll have to face in your new state.
7. Prepare to offer severance packages
Not all of your employees will be able to make the move to a new state. It’s important to know how to move your business from one state to another while also keeping in mind your current employees. Be ready to give at least a 3-months notice about your business move to your employees, and offer severance packages to those that cannot accompany you on your move.
8. Set up interviews for new employees
If you’re looking for new employees in your new state, start conducting interviews for great talent as soon as possible! You can either visit your new state or conduct interviews through a webcam. Simply set up a good background with clean window blinds and a nice environment, turn on your camera, and find new employees! Don’t wait until the last minute to conduct this step either. Great employees that know the market and are local to the area are incredible assets during your business move.
9. Pay for advertising
Once you’re settled on a new location and are sure you’ll be opening your new business, you can go ahead and start paying for advertising for your new business! This can be done either through your new state’s local TV and radio station, fliers, and even an opening event outside your new shop. If you have had professional copier repair done and have a fully operating copier, you can even save money and use your own copier to print out flyers and hand out newsletters in your new business’s local community.
10. Announce on social media
Even better than advertising, social media is a powerful tool that can allow you to reach a wide audience and announce your move. Social media consists of apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. It’s important to know which audience is using which platform on social media. For instance, if you run a business that caters to older age individuals, they more likely will spend time on Facebook and not Instagram, and vice versa. If you’re unsure of how to advertise on social media, get the expert help of a social media strategist and marketer for your new business.
11. Volunteer at local events
One of the best things about learning how to move your business from one state to another is volunteering and interacting with the new community. To build a rapport with new clients and network, volunteer at local community events, or take time to do simple kind gestures for neighbors. This goes a long way, especially in small, tight-knit communities that are looking forward to your new business in their town.
12. Speak to a tax expert
There are so many different factors when it comes to moving your new business. It’s important to speak to a tax expert for detailed tax information on how to move your business from one state to another. Some things to consider are paying your old state and local taxes, changing names, and dissolving and registering your new LLC, write-offs you can utilize such as expenses on new shutters, office equipment, storage, and much much more! It can be overwhelming to keep track of all this new tax information, so speak to a local tax expert in your new state for guidance.
13. Start packing
Once you’ve set up a great network for your business in another state, have chosen your new office, and are confident in the market, you can start by hiring the help of a packing company. Packing up years’ worth of paperwork, client lists, and office supplies isn’t an easy thing to do. A packing company can help you save time and not stress, while also ensuring everything remains organized for a smooth transition into your new business office.
14. Hire movers
Once everything is packed up and ready to go, you’ll need to hire the help of local moving companies to transport all your supplies to your new office. Make sure you label all fragile items as such before your movers begin handling them. Then, sit back and relax as professionals handle the work of moving!
15. Clean your new and old office
Commercial tenants can also get back their security deposit from the landlord after they leave their old office. To do so, hire the help of office cleaning services to leave your business office as clean as when you first got it. You can also hire office cleaning services for your new office to make it as inviting and charming for new employees and customers alike.
16. Consider new furniture
If you don’t want to pack up furniture and move it, you’ll want to buy new furniture near where your new office is located. In the meantime, get the help of moving and storage services to store the furniture and any other items you don’t want, and move the furniture you do want in your new office. Furniture in your storage can then be sold off, or you can decide to donate it. It can be difficult to do all those things in the middle of a big move, so it’s okay to store furniture in the meantime.
17. Continue to research the competition
Even after you’ve set up shop in your new state, you’ll still need to continue to do market research on your clientele, products, and your competition. Unfortunately, since you’re moving to a new state, chances are other businesses are well-established and have a loyal customer base already. Remember to always research the competition to ensure you’re offering the highest value for your products and make your business successful.
18. Take out a small business loan
If you have questions on how to move your business from one state to another if you’re tight on cash, speak to a financial expert and consider taking out a small business loan. A small business loan can help you pay for anything from moving expenses to new furniture and even new employees. It might be the difference between having a successful move or one that is filled with stress and debt.
19. Set up new internet
Your new office will need new internet, especially if you are running social media and online pages. Not all internet providers work in every state, for instance, Comcast provides service on the east coast but not the west coast. Make sure one of the first things you set up in your new office is great, fast-speed internet.
20. Set up new phone lines
You might have to change your phone number and set up new phone lines, such as landlines, once you reach your new office. Contact your local phone companies, and make sure to let old and new clients know about changes in your current contact information.
21. Contact your bank and move accounts
If you had your business account set up with a local bank or credit union, you’ll have to close out that account and move to a bank that operates in your state. It’s important to sit down with a banker and go over options to ensure you’re not leaving any additional funds behind.
22. Notify existing clients and vendors
If you’re wondering how to move your business from one state to another while still keeping your current clients, simply informing them of the move is all you need to do. Unfortunately, if you run a business that sells tangible goods directly to consumers, moving businesses will affect the number of clients you have. Consider offering delivery services for goods such as food and other items you produce for your clients. In addition to informing your clients of the move, you must also inform your vendors, such as food supplies, or contract personnel, such as your plumber or IT specialist, of the move. This gives them an opportunity to find new clients themselves and is generally a good business practice.
23. Change your mailing address
Finally, once your business is all set up and you have a new physical location, visit your local post office to have your mailing address change. Keep in mind this might take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks, so the sooner you inform the post office of the change, the better. You will also need to notify the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, about the change by filing Form 8822-B-Change of Address. It’s also a good idea to inform any local listings that have your information about the move so they can remove you, or even update your information on their end.
Get Excited for the Move
Knowing how to move your business from one state to another is just the first part of a journey toward a growing and thriving business. Although it may seem like a lot of work to change your business, don’t be discouraged, and get excited at the new opportunities that await you and your business in your new state.