Starting a business in Ireland: the online checklist

Starting a business in Ireland is mostly paperwork and patience. Here's the online checklist — in the order we'd do it ourselves.

Week 1 — make it legal

1. Decide your structure — sole trader, partnership, or limited company. Sole trader is fastest; limited company protects personal assets.
2. Register the business name with the CRO at core.cro.ie (€20 online).
3. Register for tax via ROS (revenue.ie). You'll need this for invoicing, VAT and PAYE.
4. Open a business bank account — Revolut Business and Bunq are quickest; AIB and BOI are slower but fully Irish-regulated.

Week 2 — claim your name online

1. Buy the .ie and .com of your business name. Blacknight, Namecheap or Register365.
2. Reserve handles on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Facebook — even if you won't post for months.
3. Set up a Google Workspace email on your .ie domain.
4. Create a Google Business Profile draft — it can sit unverified for now.

Week 3 — your website

You don't need a 20-page site to start. A 1–4 page launch site is plenty: who you are, what you do, contact. You can grow from there.

• DIY route — Squarespace, 1–2 weekends.
• AI-assisted build — €495–€1,150. Our preference, obviously.
• Freelancer — €2,500+, 3–6 weeks.

Week 4 — tell the world

1. Verify your Google Business Profile (Google chooses the method: video, phone, email or a postcard).
2. List on golden pages, industry directories and your Local Enterprise Office.
3. Email everyone you know with a one-line announcement.
4. Ask the first 5 customers for Google reviews. Make it ridiculously easy.

Ongoing — boring, important

• Send invoices via ROS-compatible software (Xero, Bullet, Sage).
• Track expenses from day one. Save every receipt.
• Post on one social channel consistently — pick the one your customers use.
• Renew your domain. Set a calendar reminder. Losing it is a nightmare.

Launch with a starter site→