Guides for running a business across borders
Step-by-step guides to the jobs that come with running a business across borders: forming a company, hiring abroad, getting paid and picking software. Prices in every guide come from our live data.
Start a company
- How to form a US LLC from abroadChoose a state, register the LLC, get an EIN and stay compliant as a non-US founder, step by step.
- How to get an EIN without an SSNNon-US founders can get an EIN for a US company by phone or fax with Form SS-4. What to fill in and what to expect.
- Delaware vs Wyoming LLC: which state should you choose?Delaware vs Wyoming LLC compared: state fees, annual costs, privacy, courts, investors, banking and which suits founders at home and abroad.
- LLC vs C corp for founders abroad: tax, investors and paperworkLLC vs C corp for non-US founders: how each is taxed, filings, investor expectations, costs, banking and how to decide which US entity to form.
- What is a registered agent? Requirements, costs and how to chooseWhat a registered agent does for an LLC or corporation, state requirements, whether you can be your own, costs, mail forwarding and choosing a service.
- Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs: who files, what to report, deadlinesForm 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs explained: who must file, reportable transactions, the pro forma 1120, deadlines, penalties and how to file.
- How to choose a company formation service for a US LLC or corporationHow to choose a company formation service: what they do, prices and add-ons, support for non-US founders, EIN help, compliance packages and red flags.
Get paid and pay
- How to open a US business bank account from abroadWhat non-US founders need to open a US business account online, and which providers accept them.
- How to get paid by international clientsReceive USD, EUR and GBP from clients abroad without losing money to bank fees and poor exchange rates.
- How to cut international payment feesThe four costs hidden in every international payment and how to avoid each one.
- How to accept online payments in Nigeria: gateways, fees and setupHow to accept online payments in Nigeria: cards, bank transfers and USSD, Paystack and Flutterwave fees, setup steps, settlement, fraud and choosing a gateway.
- How to accept online payments in Kenya: M-Pesa, cards and gatewaysHow to accept online payments in Kenya: M-Pesa paybill and till, the Daraja API, card gateways, fees to check, settlement, eTIMS and choosing a provider.
- How to accept online payments in Ghana: mobile money, cards and feesHow to accept online payments in Ghana: MTN MoMo and other wallets, cards, gateway fees, sign-up documents, settlement, e-VAT and choosing a provider.
- How to accept online payments in South Africa: cards, instant EFT and feesHow to accept online payments in South Africa: cards, instant EFT, Capitec Pay, gateway fees, sign-up, settlement, chargebacks, VAT and choosing a provider.
- How to accept online payments in India: UPI, cards and gateway feesHow to accept online payments in India: UPI, cards, netbanking and wallets, Razorpay and Stripe fees, KYC, settlement, recurring payments and GST on fees.
- Payment gateway fees explained: what you pay and how to pay lessPayment gateway fees explained: percentage and fixed fees, caps, interchange, international and currency charges, chargebacks, payouts and how to compare.
- What is a multi-currency business account? Uses, costs and choosing oneWhat a multi-currency business account is, how local account details work, fees to compare, safety, who it suits and how to choose a provider.
- How to receive USD payments in Africa: options, fees and pitfallsHow to receive USD payments in Africa as a freelancer or business: domiciliary accounts, multi-currency accounts, platforms, fees, withdrawals and tax.
- How to invoice international clients and get paid on timeHow to invoice international clients: what to include, currency choice, VAT and reverse charge, payment methods, terms, reminders and tools that help.
- How to pay overseas suppliers safely and cheaplyHow to pay overseas suppliers: wires, multi-currency accounts and cards, exchange rates and fees, payment terms, avoiding fraud, and records for tax and customs.
Hire abroad
- How to pay international contractorsContracts, tax forms, invoices and the cheapest ways to pay freelancers and contractors in other countries.
- How to hire employees in another country without a local companyUse an employer of record to hire full-time staff abroad legally: how it works, what it costs and when to set up your own entity.
- Employer of record vs contractor: which do you need?When to hire someone abroad as a contractor and when you need an employer of record, with the risks of getting it wrong.
- How to hire remote developersTalent platforms, freelancers or your own hiring: how to find, vet and pay remote developers.
- What is an employer of record? How EOR hiring worksWhat an employer of record (EOR) is, how it works, what it handles, costs, risks and when to use one instead of a local entity or contractors.
- Employer of record cost: fees, employer taxes and hidden extrasEmployer of record cost explained: EOR fees, employer contributions by country, deposits, benefits, currency margins and how to estimate the true total.
- How to hire employees in Kenya: contracts, payroll and statutory deductionsHow to hire employees in Kenya: options, contracts, PAYE, SHIF, Housing Levy, NSSF, leave, termination and when to use an employer of record.
- How to hire employees in Nigeria: contracts, PAYE, pension and costsHow to hire employees in Nigeria: entity or EOR, contracts, PAYE under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, pension, NHF, levies, leave, termination and costs.
- How to hire employees in South Africa: contracts, PAYE, UIF and leaveHow to hire employees in South Africa: EOR or entity, BCEA contracts, PAYE, UIF, SDL, leave, fair dismissal, costs and a step-by-step checklist.
- How to hire employees in India: contracts, TDS, PF and costsHow to hire employees in India: EOR or entity, contracts, salary structure, TDS under the new regime, PF, ESI, gratuity, leave, notice and costs.
- How to hire employees in the Philippines: contracts, 13th month pay and contributionsHow to hire employees in the Philippines: EOR or entity, contracts, regularization, withholding tax, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, 13th month pay and leave.
- Contractor misclassification: the risks and how to avoid themContractor misclassification explained: how countries decide who is an employee, the warning signs, penalties, and how to fix risky contractor setups.
- International contractor agreement: clauses to include and mistakes to avoidWhat to put in an international contractor agreement: scope, fees, payment, IP, confidentiality, data, termination, governing law and a clause checklist.
- Global payroll explained: models, providers and how to chooseGlobal payroll explained: how paying staff in several countries works, EOR vs entity payroll vs aggregators, costs, compliance and choosing a provider.
Payroll and tax
- PAYE in Kenya: tax bands, reliefs and worked examplesPAYE in Kenya explained: current tax bands, personal relief, how SHIF, Housing Levy and NSSF reduce taxable pay, worked examples and filing deadlines.
- Statutory deductions in Kenya: SHIF, Housing Levy, NSSF and NITAStatutory deductions in Kenya explained: SHIF, Affordable Housing Levy, NSSF tiers and limits, NITA, PAYE, employer shares, deadlines and examples.
- PAYE in Nigeria from 2026: new tax bands, reliefs and examplesPAYE in Nigeria under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025: the 2026 tax bands, rent relief, pension deductions, worked examples, remittance and common errors.
- PAYE and UIF in South Africa: rates, rebates and how to calculatePAYE and UIF in South Africa for 2026/27: tax brackets, rebates, UIF ceiling, SDL, retirement and medical credits, worked examples and SARS filing.
- PAYE and SSNIT in Ghana: 2026 tax bands, contributions and examplesPAYE and SSNIT in Ghana for 2026: monthly tax bands, Tier 1 and Tier 2 pension, contribution ceiling, worked examples, deadlines and common errors.
- Payroll in India: TDS, PF, ESI and professional tax explainedHow payroll in India works: salary structure, TDS under the new regime, EPF, ESI, professional tax, Form 16, deadlines, examples and choosing software.
- How to run payroll in the UK: PAYE, National Insurance and RTIHow to run payroll in the UK for 2026/27: register as an employer, PAYE and National Insurance rates, RTI filing, pensions, statutory pay and software.
- Payroll in the UAE: WPS, gratuity, pensions and leave explainedHow payroll in the UAE works: no income tax, the Wage Protection System, end-of-service gratuity, pensions for nationals, leave, free zones and software.
- Payroll in Malaysia: EPF, SOCSO, EIS and PCB explainedHow payroll in Malaysia works: EPF, SOCSO and EIS rates, PCB monthly tax deduction, HRD levy, leave, EA forms, worked examples and payroll software.
- Payroll in the Philippines: withholding tax, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIGHow payroll in the Philippines works: TRAIN withholding tax, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG rates for 2026, 13th month pay, premiums, deadlines and BIR forms.
- Payroll software cost: what small businesses really payPayroll software cost explained: base fees, per-employee pricing, add-ons, filing and setup costs, examples by country and how to compare providers.
- How to run payroll for a small business in the USHow to run payroll for a small business in the US: EIN, W-4 and I-9, federal and state taxes, FICA and FUTA, deposits, Form 941, W-2s and software.
- Accounting software in Kenya: eTIMS, VAT and choosing the right toolHow to choose accounting software in Kenya: eTIMS invoicing, VAT and turnover tax, M-Pesa reconciliation, payroll links, costs and a setup checklist.
- Making Tax Digital for VAT: rules, software and how to complyMaking Tax Digital for VAT explained: who must comply, digital records and links, compatible software, filing deadlines, penalties and MTD for Income Tax.
- GST e-invoicing in India: who needs it and how it worksGST e-invoicing in India explained: turnover thresholds, IRN and QR codes, the 30-day reporting rule, e-way bills, software options and common errors.
- VAT for small businesses in Africa: rates, e-invoicing and complianceVAT for small businesses in Africa: standard rates by country, registration, e-invoicing systems like eTIMS and EFRIS, filing, cross-border sales and software.
- ZATCA e-invoicing in Saudi Arabia: phases, requirements and softwareZATCA e-invoicing in Saudi Arabia explained: FATOORA phases, standard vs simplified invoices, clearance and reporting, QR codes, waves and compliant software.
- E-invoicing in Egypt: ETA e-invoices and e-receipts explainedE-invoicing in Egypt explained: who must use the ETA system, e-invoices vs e-receipts, digital signatures, VAT at 14%, integration options and software.
- GST/HST in Canada: rates by province, registration and filingGST/HST in Canada for small businesses: rates by province, the $30,000 small supplier rule, PST and QST, input tax credits, filing and selling from abroad.
- GST in Australia: registration, tax invoices and BAS explainedGST in Australia for small businesses: the 10% rate, $75,000 threshold, GST-free and input-taxed sales, tax invoices, BAS lodgement and selling from abroad.
Sell online
- How to start an online store in BrazilPlatforms, payments (Pix, boleto, instalments), invoices and shipping for selling online in Brazil.
- How to start an online store in Latin AmericaPlatforms, local payments and electronic invoicing for selling online in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru.
- How to choose a POS system for a small shop or caféWhat to look for in point-of-sale software: payments, offline mode, inventory, hardware and cost.
- The cost to start an online store: a realistic budgetThe real cost to start an online store: platform fees, apps, payment fees, inventory, shipping, design, marketing and a sample first-year budget.
- How to start an online store in Africa: platforms, payments and deliveryHow to start an online store in Africa: choose a platform, accept mobile money and cards, plan delivery, sell on WhatsApp and social, and handle tax.
- POS system cost: software, hardware and payment fees explainedPOS system cost explained: software plans, hardware, card processing fees, add-ons, free POS options, example budgets for shops and restaurants, and how to compare.
- Margin vs markup: the difference and how to price profitablyMargin vs markup explained with formulas, a conversion table, worked examples, common pricing mistakes and how to set prices that cover all your costs.
Run the business
- How to choose a CRM for a small teamWhat a CRM does, which features matter for small sales teams, and how to compare free and paid plans.
- How to set up customer support for a small businessFrom a shared inbox to a help desk: channels, response times, team size and software for small support teams.
- How to choose project management softwareBoards, lists, timelines and docs: how to pick a project management tool your team will actually use.
- How to set up company cards and expense managementGive staff company cards with limits, capture receipts automatically and close the books faster.
- How to calculate cash runway and make it last longerHow to calculate cash runway from burn rate, with gross and net burn, worked examples, scenarios, warning signs and practical ways to extend runway.
- How to calculate break-even point: formula, examples and usesHow to calculate break-even point in units and revenue, with fixed and variable costs, contribution margin, worked examples, pricing decisions and limits.
- LTV and CAC explained: formulas, benchmarks and how to improve themLTV and CAC explained: how to calculate customer lifetime value and acquisition cost, the LTV:CAC ratio, payback period, examples and ways to improve both.
- Expense management software: what it does and how to chooseExpense management software explained: company cards, receipt capture, approvals, reimbursements, accounting sync, costs and how to pick the right tool.
- How to set your freelance rate: hourly, day rate and project pricingHow to set your freelance rate: calculate a minimum from costs and billable hours, research the market, choose hourly or project pricing and raise rates.
- How to reduce appointment no-shows: reminders, deposits and policiesHow to reduce appointment no-shows: automated reminders, deposits, easy rescheduling, clear policies, waitlists and scheduling tools for service businesses.
- Are electronic signatures legal? Rules, exceptions and best practiceAre electronic signatures legal? How e-signature laws work in the US, EU, UK, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and India, exceptions, evidence and choosing a tool.
- The remote team software stack: tools a small distributed team needsBuild a remote team software stack: communication, video, docs, project management, scheduling, HR and payroll, security and AI tools, with costs and tips.
- Project management software cost: plans, seats and real budgetsProject management software cost explained: free plans, per-seat pricing, minimum seats, guests, add-ons, example budgets for small teams and ways to save.
- Kanban vs Scrum vs Gantt: which way of managing work suits your team?Kanban vs Scrum vs Gantt explained: how each method works, strengths, weaknesses, which teams they suit, how to combine them and which tools support them.
- How to cut meeting costs without losing alignmentHow to cut meeting costs: calculate what meetings really cost, cancel and shorten meetings, go asynchronous, use agendas and AI notes, and measure the savings.
Sales and support
- What is a CRM? A plain guide for small businessesWhat is a CRM and does your business need one? How CRM software works, key features, types, costs, examples and how to choose and set one up.
- How much does a CRM cost? CRM cost for small teams explainedCRM cost explained: per-user pricing, free plans, add-ons, setup and hidden costs, with example budgets for small teams and tips to pay less.
- WhatsApp CRM: how to manage sales and support on WhatsAppWhatsApp CRM explained: the Business app vs the API, shared inboxes, CRM integrations, message rules, costs and how to set it up for a small team.
- How to build a sales pipeline: stages, metrics and examplesHow to build a sales pipeline that works: define stages and exit criteria, track the right numbers, forecast revenue and keep the pipeline clean.
- How to move from spreadsheets to a CRM in two weeksHow to move from spreadsheets to a CRM: clean your data, map fields, import contacts and deals, connect email and get the team using it in two weeks.
- Lead management for small businesses: capture, qualify, follow upLead management for small businesses: capture leads from every channel, qualify them, assign and follow up fast, nurture the rest and measure results.
- What is help desk software? Features, costs and how to chooseWhat help desk software does, the key features from tickets to AI, how it differs from a CRM, what it costs and how a small team should choose one.
- Shared inbox vs help desk: which does your team need?Shared inbox vs help desk: how each works, the pros and cons, costs, and clear signs it is time to move from a shared email inbox to a help desk.
- Customer support metrics: what to measure and what good looks likeThe customer support metrics that matter for small teams: response and resolution time, CSAT, volume, backlog and cost per ticket, with how to improve each.
- How to build a knowledge base that cuts support ticketsHow to build a knowledge base customers actually use: pick topics from real tickets, write clear articles, organise and search, and power AI answers.
Marketing and growth
- Email marketing for beginners: build a list and send emails that sellEmail marketing for beginners: choose a tool, grow a list with consent, write your first emails, set up automations, measure results and stay legal.
- Email deliverability: SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained simplySet up SPF, DKIM and DMARC to improve email deliverability: what each record does, step-by-step setup, bulk sender rules, testing and fixing spam issues.
- Email marketing software cost: pricing models and real budgetsEmail marketing software cost explained: contact-based vs send-based pricing, free plans, hidden extras, example budgets by list size and ways to pay less.
- SEO for small businesses: a practical guide to ranking on GoogleSEO for small businesses: how search works, technical basics, keywords, on-page SEO, content, links, local SEO, tools, measuring results and mistakes.
- How to do keyword research for a small business websiteHow to do keyword research step by step: find seed topics, understand search intent, judge volume and difficulty, group keywords and plan pages that rank.
- Local SEO guide: get found by customers near youA practical local SEO guide: set up your Google Business Profile, keep listings consistent, earn reviews, build location pages and track local rankings.
- How to use UTM links to track where your customers come fromHow to use UTM links: what each parameter means, naming rules, examples for email, social, WhatsApp and ads, reading reports and avoiding common mistakes.
- WhatsApp marketing for small businesses: rules, ideas and toolsWhatsApp marketing for small businesses: grow an opted-in list, broadcasts and templates, catalogues, click-to-chat ads, measuring results and staying compliant.
- How to build a landing page that converts visitors into customersHow to build a landing page that converts: one goal, clear headline, benefits, proof, simple forms, fast mobile design, testing and the tools to build it.
- How to plan a content calendar that you will actually followHow to plan a content calendar: set goals, choose themes and formats, map keywords, plan cadence, assign owners, repurpose content and track what works.
AI tools
- How to choose AI tools for your businessWhich AI tools are worth paying for: assistants, meeting notes, writing, images, video and coding, with prices compared.
- AI tools for small business: what to use, what it costs and where to startAI tools for small business explained: the jobs AI does well, what assistants, image, video and meeting tools cost, and a 30-day plan to start.
- How to use ChatGPT for business: practical uses, plans and limitsHow to use ChatGPT for business: 25 practical uses by team, which plan to choose, how to keep data safe and where ChatGPT gets things wrong.
- ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini for business: which AI assistant fits your work?ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini for business compared on writing, documents, office integration, data privacy and price, with a simple way to choose.
- AI notetakers explained: how AI meeting assistants work and how to choose oneHow an AI notetaker records, transcribes and summarises meetings, what it costs, the consent rules to follow and how to choose the right one.
- Can you use AI-generated images commercially? Rules, licences and safe practiceCan you use AI-generated images commercially? What licences allow, copyright and trademark risks, safer tools and a checklist before you publish.
- How to make marketing videos with AI on a small budgetHow to make marketing videos with AI: tools for clips, avatars and voice-overs, a step-by-step workflow, credit costs and mistakes to avoid.
- AI coding assistants for teams: benefits, risks and real costsAI coding assistants for teams: what GitHub Copilot, Cursor and Windsurf do, how to measure gains, security and licence risks, and real per-seat costs.
- AI writing tools for marketing: workflow, quality and SEOAI writing tools for marketing compared with general assistants, a workflow that keeps quality and accuracy high, and how AI content and SEO fit together.
- How to write an AI use policy for a small businessWrite an AI use policy for a small business: what to cover, approved tools, data rules, review steps, a one-page template and how to roll it out.
- AI for sales teams: practical uses, tools and a rollout planAI for sales teams explained: prospect research, call notes, CRM updates, follow-up emails and forecasting, with tools, costs and the limits to know.
Websites and content
- How to choose website hostingStatic hosting, cloud servers or a managed database: which kind of hosting your site or app needs, and what it costs.
- How to protect a small business websiteA practical checklist: firewall, DDoS protection, backups, updates, strong passwords and two-factor sign-in.
- How to dub videos into other languages with AITranslate and voice your videos in other languages with AI dubbing: workflow, quality checks, consent and cost.
- How to start a business website and grow itBuilder or hosting, the real cost after intro prices, a mailing list from day one, and the SEO basics, with prices compared.
- Web hosting cost: what you really pay for a small business websiteWeb hosting cost explained: introductory vs renewal prices, shared, VPS and cloud pricing, domains, email, SSL, backups, hidden extras and example budgets.
- Shared hosting vs VPS vs cloud: which hosting do you need?Shared hosting vs VPS vs cloud compared: performance, control, security, scaling, costs and skills needed, with clear advice for different kinds of websites.
- Website builder or WordPress: which is right for your business?Website builder or WordPress compared: ease of use, design, SEO, e-commerce, costs, maintenance, security and flexibility, with advice for each business type.
- How to choose a domain name for your businessHow to choose a domain name: keep it short and clear, pick the right extension, check trademarks and social handles, register safely and protect it.
- Small business website cost: DIY, freelancer or agencySmall business website cost explained: DIY builders, freelancers and agencies, what drives price, ongoing costs, example budgets and how to get value.
Security and IT
- Password manager for small business: why you need one and how to chooseWhy every team needs a password manager for small business use: shared vaults, strong passwords, 2FA, offboarding, costs, rollout steps and choosing a tool.
- VPN for business: when you need one and how to chooseVPN for business explained: what VPNs protect, consumer vs business VPNs, remote access, public Wi-Fi, zero trust alternatives, costs and choosing a provider.
- Two-factor authentication for small business: a practical setup guideSet up two-factor authentication for a small business: SMS vs apps vs security keys and passkeys, which accounts first, recovery codes and enforcing it.
- Business backups and the 3-2-1 backup rule explainedProtect business data with the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies, two media, one offsite. Covers cloud apps, ransomware, websites, testing restores and costs.
- How to prevent invoice fraud and payment redirection scamsHow to prevent invoice fraud: spot fake invoices and bank detail change scams, verify payees, dual approval, email security, staff training and what to do if hit.
Data and reports
- Take-home pay by countryNet pay after tax and social security in every country we cover.
- How to register for eTIMS in KenyaStep-by-step electronic tax invoice registration for Kenyan businesses.
- LLC cost by stateFormation and yearly costs for all 50 states and DC.