Your new business starts here.

Starting a business can seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into clear steps can make the process more manageable. The steps that you need to follow will depend on the nature of your business, where you're located and a range of other factors including your target audience and industry. Assuming you've registered your company with the appropriate state and local authorities, selected a legal structure and are legally granted permission to begin selling, you can take a look at these three easy steps which are great ways to build your brand and share it with the world.

• 1. Kickstart your business

  So you've decided to start a business. Congratulations! Now it's time to create your business name, design a unique logo and establish your brand identity. You can use our free business name generator and VistaPrint's free Logomaker to help you get started.

• 2. Get online

  Once you've created a name, logo and brand identity for your business, it's time to build your online presence so you can show off your brand to anyone – anywhere. You can create your custom domain, design your dream Wix x Vista website, curate your social feed with hundreds of predesigned templates and create a unique QR code with endless possibilities – all with the help and support of VistaPrint.

• 3. Generate buzz with print

  Now it's time to show off your business and spread your message. You can add your unique brand to VistaPrint's range of products including marketing materials, packaging, signage, merch and more. Simply create a design, add it to the products that best suit your business and its needs and then share it with the world. And if you need any support along the way, you can contact our Customer Care team.

The short answer is yes. Designing a strong logo for your business will help build brand recognition, establish a visual identity for your business and add credibility. A logo also separates your business from your competition and can help you to make a memorable impression. Plus, your logo can be added to everything you do and sell – whether that's on your website, across your social channels or spotlighted on packaging, marketing materials and merch.

If you would like to create a logo for your business but don't know where to start, VistaPrint's free Logomaker lets you create your dream logo in three easy steps with no design skills needed. Simply add your business information, customize your graphics, text and colors and download your logo so you can start showing off your brand.

A good custom logo reflects the personality of your business, so it's important for you to have a general sense of your brand identity before you begin. Is your brand more playful or sophisticated? Cutting-edge modern or more of a timeless vibe? Knowing who you are as a business will help you most quickly and effectively get a look that feels like you.

A good logo design should also be suitable for mobile and web, for digital and print, and for every scale and shape. It should attract audiences, create memorable impressions, and differentiate a brand from its competitors. Some key visual elements that you might want to consider are:

• Typography: fonts convey more than words as they evoke specific emotions and atmospheres (e.g. elegance, modernity).

• Color: smart color choices leverage psychology to create emotional connections.

• Graphics: iconic, simple elements enhance memorability.

• Composition: finding an effective way to balance visual elements and create focal points using techniques like white space and grid templates.

VistaPrint offers a range of products that can help you to promote your new business and build your brand. Before you start, it's important to understand the needs of your business and the products that will work best for your unique brand. For example, if you own a restaurant or cafe, menus, banners and posters are great options to promote your business. If you run an online store, our range of labels, packaging and stickers are great options to spread your message. No matter what type of business or industry your brand fits into, VistaPrint offers a range of products that are designed to help you promote your business.

When it comes to local advertising, the first step is to establish a strong brand identity. An eye-catching logo, memorable brand name and strong color palette are great ways to get your business noticed and remembered. Once you have a clear understanding of your branding, you can then start customizing your designs so you can create a suite of products that are unmistakably yours. And, if you need any support with your designs, you can always reach out to our design services team who will be happy to help.

The best print products will depend on the nature of your business and its needs. However, our range of marketing materials including flyers, postcards and brochures are great options for a range of business types and industries that can help you to easily and effectively launch your business. If you plan on hosting an outdoor event to promote your business, our range of custom signage including banners, flags and posters are all great options. If you run an online store and want to send memorable unboxing experiences, our range of stickers, labels and packaging.

The best place to start when designing a simple (yet effective) business card is to choose the paper stock, shape, size and finish that captures the essence of your brand. Your business card might be the first interaction a customer has with your brand so it's important to create a design that leaves a lasting impression and helps you to make more connections – wherever you go.

VistaPrint offers a huge assortment of simple business card templates that you can filter by industry, colors, corner styles and more so you can find a style that fits your needs. You can customize your favorite template within our design studio – adding text, images or even a clever QR code. Or, if you have your own design ready to go, you can use our easy design upload option and edit away.

VistaPrint's range of digital marketing services are here to help you stand out online. You can create your own Vista x Wix website or create a custom domain to add credibility to your online presence. You can also hire a professional to design your dream website with the help of our 99designs' experts. Or, you can create your business name using our business name generator. To find out more, you can explore all of our digital marketing services here.

Yes. If you have created a Wix v Vista website and you would like to hire a professional to design your website, our 99designs' experts are here to help. You can easily access design support or get matched with a web professional within the Wix dashboard. Then, you can choose a website design that's right for you, stand out with custom graphics, set up your online store and so much more. To find out more about professional website design, head to 99designs here.