A cloud consultant advises, serves, and guides enterprises who wish to migrate their data to the cloud. They may arrange official training sessions to educate personnel on the new methodology for organisation, security, and storage.
Table of Contents
Follow these ten steps to start a cloud consulting business:
Plan your Cloud Consulting Company
Make your Cloud Consulting Company a Legal Entity.
Register your Cloud Consulting Company with the IRS.
Create a Business Bank Account and a Credit Card
Create Accounting for Your Cloud Consulting Company
Get the Permits and Licenses You Need for Your Cloud Consulting Business
Get Cloud Consulting Company Insurance
Define your Cloud Consulting Company Brand.
Make a website for your Cloud Consulting Company.
Configure your Business Phone System
Starting a company entails more than just registering it with the state. We’ve put up this basic guide to getting started in the cloud consulting company. These stages will guarantee that your new company is well-planned, correctly registered, and legally compliant.
STEP 1: Make a business plan.
A well-thought-out strategy is vital for entrepreneur success. It will assist you in mapping out the intricacies of your organisation and uncovering some unknowns. Consider the following crucial topics:
What are the initial and continuing expenses?
Who is your intended audience?
How much money may you charge your customers?
Fortunately, we have done a lot of the legwork for you.
What are the expenses of starting a cloud consulting firm?
Individual cloud consultants won’t need to spend much money on equipment unless they want to undertake significant conversions alone. They may simply need their own computer and Wifi to handle basic difficulties. The most expensive expenses will most likely be advertising and networking to create a customer base.
What are the continuing costs of running a cloud consulting firm?
Ongoing costs include equipment replacement and maintenance, as well as promotional costs. You’ll also need to account for any further lessons you’ll need to attend to stay current in your field, as well as business insurance in case you make a mistake on the job.
Who is the intended audience?
Any company might be your target market, however small enterprises will most likely be your largest demography. Most bigger companies will already have a staff of experts to keep up with their data troves. Individuals may also be able to benefit from your services. People are increasingly placing sensitive information online and seeking for the best methods to keep that information safe from loss or compromise.
How does a cloud consulting firm generate revenue?
Cloud consultants are compensated for their time and skills. Depending on the size of their company and the services they demand, they may provide various packages to their clientele.
How much money may you charge your customers?
A cloud consultant earns an average of $80,000 per year, equating to a consulting rate of $40 to $50 per hour.
How much money can a cloud consulting firm make?
The great majority of the money you charge will be profit, which means you might earn up to $70,000 or more each year (assuming a full workload).
How can you increase the profitability of your company?
Beyond cloud consulting, cloud consultants could explore expanding into web development, DevOps, or general IT services. This might also be a fantastic place to start for people wishing to get additional project management expertise.
STEP 2: Establish a legal entity
Sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation are the most frequent business structure forms.
Establishing a formal business organisation, such as an LLC or corporation, shields you from personal liability if your cloud consulting company is sued.
STEP 3: File your taxes
Before you can begin for business, you must register for a number of state and federal taxes.
To register for taxes, you will need to get an EIN. It’s really simple and completely free!
Taxes on Small Businesses
Depending on the business form you choose, you may have multiple choices for how your company is taxed. Some LLCs, for example, may benefit from being taxed as a S company (S corp).
These guides will teach you more about small company taxes:
Taxes on LLCs
LLC vs. sole proprietorship
Corporation vs. LLC
S Corp vs. LLC
How to Form a S Corporation
S Corporation vs. C Corporation
There may be state taxes that apply to your company. In our state sales tax guides, you may learn more about state sales taxes and franchise taxes.
STEP 4: Establish a company bank account and credit card
Personal asset protection requires the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts.
When you combine your personal and business accounts, your personal assets (your house, vehicle, and other possessions) are at danger if your company is sued. This is known as penetrating your company veil in business law.
Furthermore, understanding how to develop corporate credit may help you get credit cards and other financing in your company’s name (rather than your own), lower interest rates, larger lines of credit, and other benefits.
Establish a business bank account.
Opening a business bank account is not only required when asking for business financing, but it also:
Separates your personal assets from the assets of your firm, which is required for personal asset protection.
It simplifies bookkeeping and tax reporting.
Create a net 30 account.
Net 30 accounts are used to develop and grow company credit while also increasing cash flow. Businesses use a net 30 account to purchase items and refund the whole debt within a 30-day period.
Many net 30 credit suppliers submit information to the main business credit agencies (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business Credit). This is how firms establish business credit in order to get approved for credit cards and other lines of credit.
Apply for a business credit card.
Obtaining a business credit card benefits you in the following ways:
Put all of your company’s costs in one location to separate personal and business spending.
Build your company’s credit history, which will be important for raising funds in the future.
STEP 5: Establish business accounting
Recording your numerous costs and sources of revenue is crucial to assessing your company’s financial status. Keeping precise and thorough accounting also makes yearly tax filing much easier.
STEP 6: Obtain all required permissions and licences
Failure to get appropriate permissions and licences may result in significant penalties or possibly the closure of your firm.
Requirements for State and Local Business Licensing
To run a cloud consulting company, certain state permissions and licences may be required. Visit the SBA’s reference to state licences and permits to learn more about licencing requirements in your state.
For additional information on local licences and permissions, please visit:
Check with the clerk’s office in your town, city, or county.
Contact one of the local organisations mentioned in the US Small Business Associations database of local business resources for help.
STEP 7: Obtain commercial insurance.
Insurance, like licences and permits, is required for your company to operate safely and legally. In the case of a covered loss, business insurance protects your company’s financial well-being.
There are several sorts of insurance plans designed for various types of companies with varying risks. If you are unaware about the hazards that your company may encounter, start with General Liability Insurance. This is the most popular coverage required by small companies, so it’s a good place to start for yours.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance is another important insurance product that many companies need. If your company will have workers, your state may require you to purchase Workers’ Compensation insurance.
STEP 8: Establish your brand
Your company’s brand is what it stands for, as well as how the public perceives it. A strong brand will help your company stand out from the crowd.
How to Promote and Market a Cloud Consulting Company
Attend a variety of small company events to network with owners who may use your services. Consider paid advertising on various search engines to drive business your way.
How to Keep Customers Returning
Customers must be able to depend on you to meet all of your responsibilities. You must be personable, kind, and a subject matter expert to whom people can turn in even the most dire of crises. But it never hurts to go the additional mile. Businesses must realise that you are earning them more money than they are losing. They will be more inclined to continue using your services and recommending you to others if they notice this.
STEP 9: Create your company’s website.
After you’ve defined your brand and designed your logo, the next step is to build a website for your company.
While developing a website is an important step, some may be concerned that it is out of their grasp due to a lack of website-building skills. While this was a fair concern in 2015, online technology has made significant advances in recent years, making the lives of small company owners considerably easier.
The following are the primary reasons why you should not put off developing your website:
Every genuine company has a website, period. When it comes to bringing your company online, it doesn’t matter what size or sector it is.
Social media accounts, such as Facebook pages or LinkedIn company profiles, are not a substitute for your own business website.
STEP 10: Install your company phone system.
Getting a phone for your company is one of the finest methods to keep your personal and professional lives distinct and private. That isn’t the only advantage; it also helps you automate your company, provides it legitimacy, and makes it simpler for prospective clients to identify and contact you.