There are various LLC formation services in the Creole State that promise to provide reliable services, but finding one you can trust might be more difficult than you think.
The right Louisiana LLC service will ensure that your articles of organization are filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State and that you are kept up to date on looming filing deadlines so that your firm is always in good standing with the state.
The wrong Louisiana LLC service will delay your LLC formation process for weeks, if not months, due to a lack of necessary documentation.
I conducted a four-stage, five-factor analysis of the 10 best LLC services in Louisiana in order to assist small business owners make the right choice for their Louisiana businesses.
Here are the results of my research.
1. Northwest Registered Agent: 9.45/10 (Best Overall LLC Service)
My #1 choice for the best LLC service in Louisiana is Northwest Registered Agent. Its exceptional customer support team and affordable LLC formation package provide the best value in the Louisiana LLC service industry.
Pros
Northwest Registered Agent provides all of the resources you'll need to get your Louisiana LLC off the ground. Its $39 LLC formation package includes assistance with drafting and submitting your articles of organization and operating agreement, as well as a business tax consultation with one of its in-house specialists.
This package also includes a 90-day free trial of VoIP service, which allows you to make cheaper phone calls using your internet connection, compliance notifications that remind you of impending annual report filing deadlines, and a free year of its Louisiana registered agent service.
Northwest also offers more extensive services (for an extra cost) such as access to an employer identification number (EIN), a Certificate of Good Standing, state certified copies of your formation documents, and a business seal.
Northwest is highly committed to keeping your personal and business data secure from malicious entities and statewide data breaches.
To that effect, it does not include your contact information or address when submitting your documents as part of its “Privacy by Default” policy. It instead uses its own address and banking details. This helps to minimize access to your most sensitive personal data, making it more difficult for anyone to track you.
The regular pricing for Northwest’s LLC formation service is $225, but BoostSuite readers can save 82% of this cost. This discount reduces the price to a more affordable $39.
Customer service is Northwest's most enticing attribute.
The vast majority of Louisiana LLC formation services outsource their customer service to foreign nations. Things are different at Northwest Registered Agent. Its Corporate Guides (located in the United States) are a unique combination of hardened attorneys, accountants, and small business owners that use their valuable business experience to help business owners in managing their Louisiana LLCs.
It will not only help you through your Louisiana LLC setup process, but it will also provide quality advice should you encounter any hiccups while managing your business.
This form of business advice from a professional business advisor can be rather expensive. Having it as part of its LLC services is a major benefit.
Cons
The one disadvantage of Northwest Registered Agent is that it does not provide any services to assist your firm in establishing an online presence, such as a customized business website, a business email, social networking tools, or a registered business domain name. Given that there are Louisiana LLC formation services that provide these services, it's hard to grasp why Northwest does not include them in any of its packages.
Nevertheless, you can get these services for as little as $15 from a number of websites, including Squarespace and Wix.
Overall
Northwest Registered Agent is my top pick for the best LLC service in Louisiana because of its low-cost LLC formation package and resourceful customer service team that's available all week (during normal business hours) are available to help you with your business challenges.
Its $39 LLC formation package includes a draft operating agreement template, a free trial of VoIP, a business tax consultation with its in-house chartered accountants, compliance alerts, a company address, and a free year of Louisiana registered agent service.
It is the only Louisiana LLC formation service that provides a great mix of low costs and excellent customer service.
If you need a reputable and economical Louisiana LLC service, contact Northwest Registered Agent today to take advantage of an 82% discount on its LLC formation package.
2. ZenBusiness: 8.25/10 (Best Essentials LLC Service)
ZenBusiness has an unbeatable price of $0, but the fact that it doesn’t provide free registered agent services or business advice means it will ultimately be more expensive than that.
Pros
ZenBusiness offers all the essential services you need to get your LLC operational for $0. For that price it will run a business name availability search, double check the information on your forms, and file your formation documents with the Secretary of State.
Upgrading to its Pro plan ($199) gets you expedited filing (four to six days), as well as assistance with your company’s operating agreement. Its Premium plan ($299) provides you with a business domain name and email, a custom website builder, and rush filing (in as little as one to two days).
To top it all off, its US-based customer support team has extended hours on weekdays as well as on Sunday.
Cons
Sure, ZenBusiness’ $0 plan will cover all of the minimum services you need to establish your LLC, but if you need anything outside of that it’ll be costly.
ZenBusiness is one of the few LLC services that doesn’t offer free registered agent services. The only plan that provides registered agent services is $199 per year. So, you’ll be paying full price for registered agent services from day 1.
Additionally, while its customer service team can help you with things like password resets or updating your account information, it can’t provide you with guidance on back end operations, or answer your tax questions.
Overall
ZenBusiness is a great option to cover the basic services necessary to start an LLC.
It has a US-based customer support team that keeps extended hours and is able to answer your questions throughout the formation process, as well as make sure the information on your forms is correct, and that they’re properly filed.
When it comes to registered agent services, ZenBusiness will cost you more in the long run than some other companies on my list. But it offers worry-free compliance and a 100% accuracy guarantee that will provide you with some reassurance.
If you’d like to learn more about ZenBusiness’ plans, you can learn more on the website.
3. Harbor Compliance: 7.15/10 (Best Premium LLC Service)
Harbor Compliance is the best premium Louisiana LLC formation service because it offers a dedicated account manager and a comprehensive range of premium LLC services.
Pros
Its standard package includes submitting your articles of organization to the Louisiana Secretary of State, acquiring an employer identification number, a draft operating agreement template, a business name availability search, and one year of free registered agent service in Louisiana.
Its true strength, however, is found in its customer service. Unlike Northwest Registered Agent, which connects you to any available Corporate Guide, Harbor Compliance provides your Louisiana LLC with a dedicated account manager who will walk you through the process of forming your business. You don't need to send an anonymous email or call a toll-free number. Simply contact your dedicated account manager, and they will assist you.
Cons
Harbor Compliance is not cheap. Being a premium LLC service in Louisiana, its formation package costs $399, and its all-inclusive Compliance package is $799. This is 10 times the cost of Northwest Registered Agent.
Another issue to be concerned about is that Harbor Compliance does not provide the same degree of customer support as Northwest Registered Agent. Its dedicated accountant manager only provides service-related advice, which is a far cry from the business advice provided by Northwest's Corporate Guides.
Overall
Visit Harbor Compliance today if you need a Louisiana LLC formation service that includes a dedicated account manager to guide you through the LLC formation process. However be prepared to spend a significant amount of money on its premium services.
4. Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is an online legal services company that also offers LLC formation services to its premium customers.
Rocket Lawyer's LLC formation services are available in tandem with other essential online legal services. It offers expert legal assistance at a fraction of the expense of hiring a lawyer.
As part of its $99.99 plan, Rocket Lawyer provides a free 30-minute legal consultation on all new matters of law with a single click or phone call, online document storage, access to a massive library of quick and easy-to-use legal forms, including an operating agreement template and other useful forms, and attorney representation when needed, and all your legal documents reviewed by a lawyer.
Unlike Northwest, Rocket Lawyer's $99 LLC creation plan does not include many extensive services. It does not provide a free year of registered agent service (it costs $149 per year), EIN access, or phone service.
Compared to other LLC formation services on this list, Rocket Lawyer is quite expensive. This is because its services are tailored at people who require continuous legal assistance.
Regardless of its high price, Rocket Lawyer is worth considering if you require regular legal assistance and services following the formation of a Louisiana LLC. This platform is especially beneficial for new business owners who are unfamiliar with commercial contracts in Louisiana.
5. Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is another Louisiana LLC formation service that charges $49 to file your articles of organization, gives an online portal to store your vital papers, a free 30-minute business accounting session, and a free business domain name for one year.
The primary reason it’s ranked sixth on my list is that it does not offer a free year of registered agent services. This requires you to purchase its $149 package. Alternatively, for $110 less, you may get a free year of registered agent service from Northwest Registered Agent.
6. MyCompanyWorks
MyCompanyWorks provides a $79 basic package for your LLC in Louisiana that includes help with your articles of organization, online document storage, and compliance alerts to ensure you don't miss filing your annual reports.
You may be certain that signing up with them will not be a problem because it has a 4.9/5 average rating across 3,500 online reviews and competent customer service personnel.
However, there remains the issue of price. You must purchase its $279 bundle to acquire its one-year Louisiana registered agent service. MyCompanyWorks does not provide excellent value for money when compared to Northwest, who offers a free year of registered agent services in its $39 plan.
7. Inc Authority
Inc Authority hopes to emulate ZenBusiness' model with its $0 “starter” package. There is no charge when filing your Louisiana articles of organization. However, if you want further assistance, such as acquiring an EIN or assistance in preparing an operating agreement, you should upgrade to its $399 bundle. A year of registered agent service is included in its $799 package.
If you have limited finances and simply need to file your articles of organization, ZenBusiness is the better alternative because it’s more efficient.
8. Incorporate Fast
Incorporate Fast is a Louisiana LLC formation service that charges $99 for its basic package. This package includes the filing of your articles of organization, a business name and address, a free year of registered agent services, assistance with your operating agreement, and worry-free compliance alerts that remind you to file your annual reports.
It doesn't provide any other services, such as a business tax evaluation, a business bank account or an online document portal, but if you buy its $199 package, it will help you acquire an EIN.
9. BizFilings
BizFilings is another Louisiana LLC formation service that charges $99 for its standard package, which includes support with your articles of organization, a business name search, compliance alerts, and a free year of registered agent service.
However, it does not offer an online portal for document storage, business tax assessment, or assistance with your operating agreement. You don't receive much for your money when you pay for its Louisiana LLC services.
10. LegalZoom
LegalZoom, like Rocket Lawyer, is another legal firm that provides basic Louisiana LLC formation services in conjunction with its legal service. Its $79 economy package includes essential LLC formation services such as filing your articles of organization. This economy option offers very slow delivery times. They normally get back to you within 30 days.
Its $329 standard package includes all essential LLC services plus a customized binder with your business name embossed on it, customized member certificates and a company seal. Its $349 Express Gold package provides quicker response times (usually within 7–10 days).
If you need an operating agreement template, access to an EIN, and a business license you’ll have to pay an extra $199. Its registered agent service is $299 per year.
Other Louisiana LLC Services
I investigated the following Louisiana LLC formation services as part of my evaluation process, but they are so far from being suitable candidates that they don't offer anything much to write about. I’ve listed them below in no particular order.
11. Incorporate.com
Incorporate.com, like Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom, provides a $99 subscription that just assists your LLC in Louisiana with its articles of organization and stores copies of your formation documents in an online document storage portal.
12. CorpNet
The $79 CorpNet formation package includes annual report compliance alerts and assistance with your articles of organization. That's all!
13. MyCorporation
MyCorporation charges $133 to process your articles of organization and assist you with the drafting of your operating agreement.
14. Direct Incorporation
Direct Incorporation has the same features as MyCorporation, but it also includes a business bank account and an EIN. However, it does charge $147.
15. InCorp
For $117, InCorp can submit your articles of organization and help you with your operating agreement. Any more comprehensive LLC services may entail additional charges.
16. Nationwide Incorporations
For the same basic services as InCorp, Nationwide Incorporations will charge you $200.
17. SunDoc Filings
SunDoc Filings' $79 formation package assists you in submitting your articles of organization. Its $99 Key plan provides assistance in drafting your operating agreement, while its $279 Premier pack provides access to an EIN.
The Best LLC Services Review Summary
Northwest Registered Agent is my #1 recommendation for the best Louisiana LLC formation service after researching all available alternatives.
Its formation package, which includes everything you need to get your LLC in Louisiana up running, costs a measly $39! Northwest’s team of highly experienced Corporate Guides will help you register your business entity and will be available to provide market-leading small business advice throughout your journey.
Contact Northwest Registered Agent today to receive an 82% discount on its formation package.
Best LLC Service Review Methodology
This is the approach I used to determine which Louisiana LLC formation services are reliable.
Why You Should Trust Me
You should trust my suggestions for limited liability company (LLC) services because I know more about the industry than virtually anybody I know.
My first encounter with Louisiana LLC formation services occurred when I established my first business entity. I decided to hire an LLC formation service because I lacked the essential knowledge to be my own registered agent. Unfortunately, the Louisiana LLC service I picked was too expensive, and its services were unsatisfactory.
My second quest into the business world went considerably better. I picked Northwest as my Louisiana LLC formation service of choice, and its economical services, as well as its excellent customer support, helped me in incorporating my LLC in Louisiana.
My third attempt to establish a business was also a success. I chose a high-end LLC service provider this time. My first choice was Harbor Compliance since I wanted to use its dedicated account manager and wide array of premium services.
However, my experience is not limited to my personal usage of these services. I've also helped a number of clients select the appropriate LLC formation service for their fledgling businesses. That is why I established BoostSuite. Since then, I've helped over 1,000 clients choose the best LLC service for their business.
How I Selected the Best LLC Service
I used a four-stage, five-factor process to determine the best Louisiana LLC formation services in Louisiana.
Stage 1: Reviews
The first step was to look up popular business review websites like Google Business, Facebook, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau. Most Louisiana LLC formation services ask their clients to leave comments (positive or negative) on these websites so that they may see how their customers perceive their services and offerings.
Using this assessment method, I was able to establish which Louisiana LLC formation services were genuine and which were fraudulent.
Stage 2: Website Analysis
After separating legitimate Louisiana LLC services from the underperformers, the next step in this procedure was to visit each service provider's website and evaluate their claimed statements.
This enabled me to thoroughly understand the services provided by each service provider, as well as how they positioned themselves in the market.
Stage 3: Speaking With Real Customers
After learning how these companies positioned themselves in their different niche markets, I spoke with their customers to see if they fulfilled their expectations. I prefer this method over reading internet reviews since they tend to skew to either really negative or highly positive extremes.
I also asked friends who had used a Louisiana LLC service, clients I had referred to these companies, and BoostSuite visitors about their experiences with these service providers.
Stage 4: Speaking With Sales Teams
For this final stage, I contacted the customer service departments of each Louisiana LLC service and asked for comments in response to some of the negative complaints consumers had posted on the various review websites I frequented.
This strategy allowed me to study how their customer service representatives handled criticism and negative feedback.
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Rating Factors
After completing the four-stage assessment process, I used the five factors mentioned below to rate the remaining 17 LLC services on my list.
Factor 1: Offerings
The first factor I considered throughout my study was the variety of services offered by each Louisiana LLC service.
Some companies just offer basic services, such as preparing your operating agreement or submitting your articles of organization. Other service providers offer extensive packages with features such as assistance with obtaining an EIN, worry free compliance alerts, trustworthy financial and business advice, an online document storage portal, a business bank account, and a free year of registered agent service.
Due to the significant disparities in the features provided by various service providers I had to start my research process here.
Factor 2: Price
The cost of services was the second factor I had to think about. Some service providers offered free essential service packages, while others charged $399 or more for the same basic packages. The pricing per package was the second factor I used to evaluate them.
Factor 3: Ease of Sign-Up
The third factor I evaluated in my rating process was the ease of registration. Some service providers appear to have archaic legacy systems, while others offer straightforward, user-friendly websites designed to save you time and effort.
I analyzed the sign-up mechanisms of each LLC provider to see which required the least amount of labor and time.
Factor 4: Ease of Use
Some of the problems discovered during the registration process continued in other key aspects of the websites.
Some business formation services, for example, provide blank forms for you to fill out, even if you have already filled-out similar forms. Others offer basic web pages with preloaded data, and in most situations, only a signature is required.
I assessed each business creation service based on how simple and easy it was to use its platform.
Factor 5: Customer Service
Some businesses outsource their customer service to call centers in other countries, whose employees not only do not understand the business environment in the United States and thus provide you with incorrect advice, but also lack the experience needed to guide you through the start-up process of your business entity.
Then there are companies like Northwest, which have customer service centers all across the country and experienced professionals that can help you set up your LLC in Louisiana and provide solid business guidance along your business journey.
This was my fifth ranking factor due to the significant difference in the quality of customer care support provided by various business service providers.
In Conclusion
Following a four-step, five-factor evaluation of 17 LLC providers, I found the best 10 and determined that Northwest is the best LLC service in Louisiana.
Northwest’s $39 formation package includes everything you need to start your LLC in Louisiana at the best price, including assistance with filing your articles of organization, a draft operating agreement template, a 90-day free trial of VoIP, an online document storage portal, a tax consultation with its in-house accountants, compliance alerts, and a free year of registered agent service.
Northwest Registered Agent’s Corporate Guides are a team of highly experienced attorneys, accountants, and entrepreneurs that provide the best small business guidance and advice in the market and are ready to assist you whenever difficulties arise.
When you're ready, go over to Northwest Registered Agent and take advantage of an 82% discount on its formation package.