SBS Step-by-Step Checklist INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The Small Business Services (SBS) Step-by-Step Checklist program is a free online tool that...
- guides you to commonly requested licensing information and statewide resources,
- enables you to link over and download most of the business forms you may need, includes telephone numbers and addresses of licensing agencies
- allows you to create a free custom checklist of information pertinent to your business needs
The information in the Checklist program is divided into three main sections, as shown in the table below. From the Checklist program home page, you can go directly to a topic of interest using the drop-down menus or you can click on a Step to be guided page-by-page through the topics. You will get the maximum benefit by clicking on a Step and paging through each topic. There is no limit to the number of times you can use this program.
On each page you will find a brief introduction to a particular subject along with links (look for text in blue) to important detailed information. Click on each of the links to find answers to commonly asked questions, links to download most of the forms you will need, and phone numbers/websites for additional information.
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 NAVIGATING CONTENT IN PROGRAM
To move through pages in Step 1, 2 or 3, simply click on NEXT > in the lower right-hand corner of the page. You can go back and review prior pages at any time by clicking on < PREVIOUS.
If at any time in the program you want to return to the home page, simply click on Back to Start in the top right-hand corner of the page. (See picture below.) 
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BUILDING A CUSTOM CHECKLIST
When you come to a page in the program that you want to include in your custom checklist, click on Add This Page at the top right-hand corner of the page. (See picture below.) This action will save a copy of the page to a free online "shopping" Cart. Your custom checklist is made up of the pages you have added to your Cart. 
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VIEWING/PRINTING CUSTOM CHECKLIST
When you have pages in your Cart, you can click on View Cart in the top right-hand corner of any page in the program, to view, print and remove pages in your Cart. (See picture below.) Note: It may take a view minutes for the View Cart page to appear. 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) - How long does it take to go through the Step-by-Step Checklist Program?
It really depends on how in-depth you go. We recommend that you take 5-10 minutes initially to skim over the topics highlighted on the main pages of a Step of interest. Then go back and click on the links on each page for detailed information on each topic that pertains to your particular business stage.
There is a lot of information presented in this program. Some of it is essential to know; some of it is simply good to know. Go at your own pace. Invest the time to read the information that relates to your current business stage.
- What if I run out of time?
There is no time limit for going through the program.
- Where will the links take me?
Some links will open in the same browser window and take you to web pages that are within the Checklist program. (If you want to save any of these pages in your Cart for future use, click on Add This Page.) To return to your place in the program, click on the Go Back link at the top right-hand corner of the web page.
Other links will jump to information further down on the same web page so you don't have to use the scroll bar. Click on (Back to Top) to return to your place in the program.
Still other links will open in a separate browser window and take you to internal (Arizona Department of Commerce) web pages or external websites that are "outside" of the Checklist program in the sense that these web pages cannot be added to your Cart. If you want, you can Bookmark these web pages to your “Personal Favorites” and then close the browser window without exiting our Checklist program.
- What if I want to skip pages in the program?
You can do that, but we recommend you cover the topics in the order given to get the maximum benefit. Our Step-by-Step Checklist program is designed to lead you through the topics and information entrepreneurs need to know. If you skip links on a page or skip pages in a Step, you will miss out on important information and resources.
- What happens to my custom checklist once I’m done?
Information saved to your Cart is stored by way of “cookies” unique to your computer and should be available when you come back to our Step-by-Step Checklist program unless your computer “cookies” are erased or not recognized by the program.
- What do I do if the drop-down menu shows the topic I want, but it doesn't take me to the desired page?
Click on "RESET" on the right side of the drop-down menu to refresh the web page and then select the topic again.
- What if I have a technical issue?
Find a broken link? Receive an error message? Let us know right away! E-mail smallbiz@azcommerce.com with the specifics or call us at 602-771-1196 or 800-542-5684.
- What if I still need more information after I go through the Step-by-Step Checklist?
E-mail your questions to SmallBiz@azcommerce.com or call the Small Business Services at 602.771.1196 or 800.542.5684.
Thank you for using our Step-by-Step Checklist program. We hope that this free resource will be a useful tool for each phase of your business development. We wish you much success in your business endeavor.
Sincerely
Arizona Department of Commerce
Small Business Services (Back to top) (Back to Start) (Start Program)
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