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, 2–7 days. Our preference, obviously.
- Freelancer — €2,500+, 3–6 weeks.
Week 4 — tell the world
- 1.Verify your Google Business Profile (Google posts a verification card).
- 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
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