The average smartphone user has 80 apps on their phone and uses approximately 40 each month. This is why apps are big business in the US, with the industry continuously growing. A recent report found that the number of businesses in the smartphone app developer industry in the US had grown 8.3% per year on average over the five years between 2017 and 2022. This makes it one of the most dynamic and competitive tech sectors in the country. As the world changes, so does the demand for apps. We listed the ‘5 App Categories Poised For Growth’ as being edtech, fintech, home improvement, at-home fitness, and learning apps. Mobile apps that stand out have the potential to become immensely popular and profitable. If you are building an app company to compete in this lucrative industry, there are many business fundamentals you will need to set up in order to ensure your startup doesn’t face any administrative or legal issues. One of the most important is finding the best registered agent for your app company.
Why Your App Company Needs a Registered Agent
One of the most important aspects of creating an app company is the legal considerations. Every stage of app development involves legal issues that your company needs to be aware of in order to protect itself and ensure the app rollout runs smoothly. This includes privacy policy & data protection, terms and conditions, NDAs, and the publishing guidelines of app stores. Overall, this can lead to a lot of legal paperwork that needs to be received and checked. Unless your company is a sole proprietor business, it is legally required in all states to have a registered agent. They are responsible for forwarding mail from the official office address on file to you or your attorney and acting on your behalf. This streamlines the whole process and ensures that you are not fined or shut down for missing a legal document. Below are a few tips for finding the best registered agent for your app company.
Consider an In-house Agent
The type of registered agent you choose will depend on the size of your company and whether you want to take care of the documents in-house or outsource to a third party. Your options include a business employee or yourself, an individual that you trust to receive official business documents on your behalf with a physical address (P.O. Box is not allowed), or a third-party registered commercial agent service. If considering the first two options, which will be more cost-effective, you will need to make sure that your chosen agent is available as per the state requirements. For example, in California, it is between 9 AM and 5 PM, while if you were to use a registered agent in Oregon, which was listed as the number one state for app developers, the time is between 8 AM and 5 PM. The person you choose needs to always be available at this time in order to not miss any documents that could lead to potential fines and legal issues.
Choose a Reputable Registered Agent Service in Your State
For most companies, outsourcing to a third party is the better option. A third-party company will ensure you never miss a document and help you cover all the legal responsibilities. The state in which you set up your business is where you must choose your registered agent. For example, if you are considering a destination like Silicon Valley for your app company, which has the advantage of local tech talent, access to funding, and the region’s eco-system, you will need to know how to find the best registered agent in California. Three of the most popular commercial registered agent services in California are Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Incfile.
Take into Consideration Other Benefits
The main advantage of choosing a commercial registered agent service is the additional benefits they provide. Each of the above companies has slightly different specialties on top of their regular services. Northwest Registered Agent is one of the leading registered agent service providers in California and also offers online limited liability company processing and official mail forwarding. ZenBusiness also provides additional services like DBAs, websites, and EIN. Incfile is an online filing service that has grown in popularity thanks to its $0 plus state filing fee package. Other benefits to look out for are automation tools for faster processing, the ability to provide expert guidance, and the ability to work outside the state if you want to expand your business.
As the article above shows, finding the best registered agent for your app company is a vital step to getting your business off the ground and ensuring it complies with all local and national regulations. Once you have your registered agent, your next step is learning ‘How to Make Huge Money with Mobile Apps’.
