Question 1

Which legal structure should I choose to start my business?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the right legal structure depends on several key criteria: the nature of your activity, the number of partners, the amount of your capital contributions, your growth outlook, as well as your tax and social security preferences. This choice directly impacts the management of your business, your liability, your taxes, and your personal protection.If you are launching a simple project on your own, a micro-enterprise (sole proprietorship) or a standard sole proprietorship (EI) may be sufficient. To limit your personal liability, consider an EURL or a SASU. If you are going into business with partners, a SARL or a SAS offers greater flexibility. Finally, for large-scale ventures, an SA is more suitable. You can change your legal structure later on as your business evolves.

Question 2

What are the steps to create a business online?

Accepted Answer

The first step to setting up a business online is choosing a registered office address (business domiciliation), which is required for registration. Next comes drafting the articles of association (bylaws), which govern how the company operates. You then need to deposit the share capital online via a bank or an authorized platform, followed by publishing a legal notice of incorporation in an authorized legal gazette. Once these documents are assembled, you can register your business through the single business filing window (guichet unique).Depending on the chosen legal structure, your procedures may include additional filings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA), etc.Rest assured: at SeDomicilier, we handle all these administrative steps for you, simply and efficiently. That way, you can focus on launching your business while our experts take care of the rest.

Question 3

How long does it take to create my business online?

Accepted Answer

The time required to incorporate a business online varies depending on several key stages. If you entrust your incorporation to SeDomicilier, here is the typical timeline:Completing your questionnaire. You start by filling in all required information in your client portal. Until this form is fully completed, the review of your file cannot begin.Receiving your draft articles of association. Once the questionnaire is completed, your dedicated legal specialist drafts your articles of association and sends them to you within 48 business hours for review.Capital deposit. You then deposit the share capital with a bank or a dedicated platform. The processing time depends on your financial institution.Submitting the certificate of capital deposit. Once obtained, you upload this certificate to your file via your client portal.Signing the filing package. Your legal specialist finalizes the file and sends it to you within 48 business hours of receiving the certificate. Signing is done online via Yousign.Filing with the administrative authorities. The filing is submitted within 48 business hours following your signature.Administrative processing. Processing by public authorities typically takes between 7 to 10 business days, depending on registry backlogs and workload.Receiving your official documents. Once approved, you receive your Kbis extract or Insee certificate by email, showing your SIREN number. Your business is then officially registered!On average, the entire business creation process takes 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your responsiveness and administrative processing times. Throughout the process, you can track the progress of your application in your SeDomicilier client portal.

Question 4

How does the share capital deposit work?

Accepted Answer

Depositing the share capital is a mandatory step when incorporating a company. It must be completed before the articles of association are signed, and therefore prior to company registration. This deposit is made into a blocked account opened with a bank or a notary (the Caisse des Dépôts is no longer authorized since June 2021). It can be completed by bank transfer, check, or, less commonly, in cash. Once the funds are deposited and the supporting documents are provided (proof of identity, draft bylaws, proof of registered address, etc.), a deposit certificate is issued.The funds remain locked until your company is registered. Once registration is finalized, you release part of the share capital to fund your commercial operations. The share capital amount is stated in your company's articles of association. Any future modification requires holding a general shareholders' meeting and drafting the corresponding minutes.

Question 5

Can I start a business while employed or unemployed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can absolutely start a micro-enterprise while being an employee, regardless of your contract type: permanent contract (CDI), fixed-term contract (CDD), temporary work, internship, etc.If you are a job seeker registered with Pôle emploi, you can also launch an entrepreneurial project while continuing to receive unemployment benefits. The micro-entrepreneur status allows you to develop an independent activity while continuing to benefit from the Return-to-Work Allowance (ARE).You can continue to receive up to 60% of your unemployment benefits depending on the income generated by your micro-enterprise. If your revenue is zero, you can even receive 100% of your benefits, provided you explicitly request it, as this option is not automatic.

Question 6

What financial aid and subsidies are available for starting a business?

Accepted Answer

Numerous support programs exist to assist business founders, whether launching as a micro-entrepreneur or creating a more structured corporate entity. These aids come in the form of social security relief, tax incentives, or financial grants tailored to each profile.Social assistance programs help lower initial operating costs. This is the case with ACRE, a partial exemption from social security contributions during the first year of activity, available to business creators or buyers. If you are unemployed, you can also benefit from the ARE (return-to-work allowance) to maintain a regular income while launching your business. Alternatively, you can opt for ARCE, which allows you to receive a portion of your remaining unemployment benefits as a lump-sum grant paid in two installments.Tax incentives allow individuals who invest in an SME to benefit from personal income tax reductions in exchange for their capital subscription.Finally, several financial schemes can help fund your early stages: interest-free honor loans from Réseau Initiative or Réseau Entreprendre, as well as micro-credits from Adie, are all accessible financing options requiring no personal guarantees.

Question 7

Why choose SeDomicilier to help set up your business?

Accepted Answer

Starting a business naturally raises many questions: Which legal status should you choose? Which tax regime should you adopt? What are your obligations as a sole trader? At SeDomicilier, our experts guide you step by step with personalized assistance, practical tools, and proven field expertise.From day one, we help you make the right decisions: corporate structure, social security scheme, taxation... all complex topics that we simplify for you. And if you need more specialized support, you can rely on our legal assistance without necessarily having to hire a lawyer or an accountant.Our support does not stop after incorporation. We remain by your side throughout your company's life cycle: business name changes, address relocations, capital increases, and more. Thanks to our network of experts across France, you benefit from a reliable, fast, and accessible service.To take things even further, we connect you with specialized partners across all key business areas: banking, accounting, insurance, secretarial services, website creation, financing, and office rentals. Everything you need in one place to build your business with total peace of mind.

Question 8

What mistakes should you avoid when starting a business online?

Accepted Answer

When setting up a business online, certain mistakes can jeopardize your venture from the start. The first is choosing an unsuitable legal structure: this choice impacts your tax regime, social security coverage, and personal liability. It is therefore vital to assess it carefully based on your business model.Another common pitfall is launching without a business plan or financial forecast. These tools are indispensable for structuring your project and evaluating its viability. Similarly, trying to do everything alone can quickly become counterproductive: it is far better to surround yourself with professionals or fellow entrepreneurs to move forward efficiently.Do not overlook available assistance programs either, such as ACRE or ARE, which can ease your initial budget. While enthusiasm may push you to rush, remember that patience and perseverance are key to long-term success. Finally, do not neglect marketing and communications: even with a great offer, finding your first customers will be difficult without visibility.

Question 9

What is the difference between starting a business on your own vs. using an online service?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating on your own can quickly become complicated. Administrative procedures must meet strict statutory standards, and an incomplete or erroneous file can lead to rejection, costing you precious time.You could hire a certified public accountant or an attorney to handle these formalities, but this often represents a significant cost that is hard to justify when just getting started.Conversely, choosing an online platform like SeDomicilier gives you simplicity, speed, and peace of mind. By entrusting us with your business creation, we take care of all the incorporation formalities with the competent authorities.You can monitor the progress of your registration directly in your online client portal or by contacting our dedicated advisors.

Question 10

What documents are required to set up a business?

Accepted Answer

Here are the primary documents required to register a business, structured clearly:Basic documents to attach to the M0 form:One original copy of the company's articles of association, dated and signed by all shareholders or the sole shareholder;Proof of the company's registered address (e.g., utility bill, commercial lease agreement);A certificate of publication of the incorporation notice in an authorized legal gazette;The share capital deposit certificate;The list of subscribers (mandatory for SA, SASU, and SAS).If the managing officer is an individual:A copy of a valid government-issued ID (national ID card, passport, or residence permit);A sworn declaration of non-conviction and an affidavit of parentage;A copy of the deed of appointment of the corporate officer if not designated directly in the articles of association.If the managing officer is a corporate entity (applicable to SA, SASU, and SAS):The SIREN number of the managing company;A copy of the permanent representative's identity document;A sworn declaration of non-conviction and an affidavit of parentage for the representative;A copy of the formal document appointing the permanent representative.For specific situations:A copy of the contribution auditor's report (commissaire aux apports), if applicable;Proof of registration of the statutory auditor on the official registry, if appointed;A copy of the professional license or authorization for regulated professions (lawyers, accountants, etc.);A copy of the purchase deed in the event of an ongoing business acquisition (fonds de commerce).Carefully preparing these documents secures the registration procedure and prevents delays caused by an incomplete application.

Question 11

What costs should you expect when setting up a business?

Accepted Answer

Starting a business entails mandatory expenses that should be anticipated in order to launch under optimal conditions.These costs vary depending on the chosen legal form: sole proprietorship (standard or micro-enterprise) or incorporated company (SAS, SARL, SCI, etc.). Each structure involves specific formalities and therefore different costs.Expenses generally fall into two categories:Mandatory fees, such as registry filing fees or the publication of a legal notice in an authorized gazette.Optional costs, which depend on the level of assistance you select (legal advice, accounting support, drafting articles of association, etc.).At SeDomicilier, business incorporation fees are waived with any 2- or 3-year subscription. It is a simple and cost-effective way to get started with professional support from day one.

Question 12

How does free business creation work at SeDomicilier?

Accepted Answer

At SeDomicilier, when you add business creation to your registered office subscription, our legal processing fees drop to €0, regardless of the chosen legal form (SAS, SASU, SARL, EURL, SCI, micro-enterprise). In practice, you pay nothing for our guidance and the preparation of your filing package.Is incorporation completely free, with no fees at all?For micro-entrepreneurs, yes: registration is free (no court registry fees, no legal notice publication, and no share capital required), making incorporation 100% free with SeDomicilier.For other legal structures (SAS, SASU, SARL, EURL, SCI...), our service fee is indeed €0, but certain mandatory administrative costs remain your responsibility, as they are statutory fees set by the state or by law, not by SeDomicilier:Commercial court registry filing fees (RCS)Publication of a legal notice, mandatory for all incorporated companiesThese are unavoidable statutory fees regardless of the service provider you choose to assist you — SeDomicilier simply does not add any extra service charge on top.

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