Starting a business in Singapore is more straightforward than most people expect, but there is a clear list of things to get right before you open your doors. This guide walks through everything you need, from choosing a structure and registering with ACRA to the practical steps that actually bring in your first customers.
Quick answer: To start a business in Singapore you need a business idea and plan, the right business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP or private limited company), registration with ACRA via BizFile+, any required licences, a corporate bank account, and a way for customers to find you, which today means an online presence.
1. A clear business idea and plan
Before any paperwork, be clear on what you sell, who your customers are, and how you will make money. A simple plan covering your product, target market, pricing and rough costs is enough to start, and it will guide every decision that follows.
2. Choose your business structure
Singapore offers several structures, each with different liability and tax implications:
- Sole proprietorship: owned by one person, simple to set up, but you are personally liable for debts.
- Partnership: two or more owners (up to 20) sharing the business.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): partners get limited personal liability, popular with professional firms.
- Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd): a separate legal entity with limited liability, tax benefits and easier access to funding. The most common choice for businesses planning to grow.
Choose based on your growth plans, since changing later takes extra work.
3. Register your business with ACRA
Registration happens online through BizFile+, ACRA’s portal:
- Reserve your business name (application fee around S$15). Once approved it is held for 120 days.
- Register the entity on BizFile+.
- For a Pte Ltd, you also need a resident director, at least one shareholder, a company secretary, a registered local address, and a minimum of S$1 in paid-up capital.
Most simple registrations can be completed quickly once your details are ready.
4. Apply for licences and permits
Some industries need a licence before you can operate, for example F&B, education, healthcare or import and export. Check the GoBusiness Licensing portal for what applies to your activity.
5. Set up the practical essentials
- Corporate bank account to keep business and personal finances separate.
- Accounting and tax: understand your obligations, including GST registration once your taxable turnover is set to cross S$1 million.
- Basic tools: invoicing, bookkeeping and a business email.
6. Build your online presence and start marketing
This is the step new owners most often underestimate. You can be registered, licensed and ready, yet still have no customers, because nobody knows you exist. Registration makes your business official; marketing makes it findable. Here is how to build an online presence and get your first customers, in a sensible order rather than all at once.
Start with a clear value proposition
Before you build anything, write one plain sentence that says what you do, who you help, and the problem you solve. For example: “We do same-day aircon servicing for condos in the east.” That single line becomes your website headline, your Google Business description, and how you talk about the business everywhere. If you try to speak to everyone, your message goes vague. Pick one core customer and speak to them.
Build a professional website
Your website is the foundation of everything else. It is the one channel you fully own, and for most customers it is the first place they check before they trust you or buy. A good starter website does not need to be big, but it should:
- Answer the three questions every visitor has: what you offer, where you are, and how to contact or buy.
- Load fast on mobile, where most people will see it.
- Show what makes you different, with real photos and a few reviews.
- Have a clear call to action on every page, whether that is call, WhatsApp, book or buy.
A tidy, fast, trustworthy business website does more to win a customer than any single ad.
Claim your Google Business Profile
If you serve a local area, this is the highest-impact free thing you can do. A complete Google Business Profile puts you on Google Maps and in local search with your hours, photos, services and reviews. Google has noted that a complete profile makes a business far more likely to be seen as reputable, to attract a visit, and to be considered for a purchase. Fill in every field and add photos, then keep it updated. Pair it with local SEO to rank in your area.
Get found with SEO
Beyond the map, you want to appear when people search for what you sell. That is what SEO does: it optimises your website so it ranks over time and brings in visitors without paying for every click. It is slower than ads but compounds, which makes it ideal for a new business watching its budget.
Publish content that answers questions
Every question a customer asks is a chance to be found. A few helpful articles or FAQs that answer real questions attract people while they are researching and feed your SEO. Consistency matters more than volume. A couple of useful posts a month, planned in a simple calendar, beats a burst you cannot keep up.
Show up where your customers are
You do not need to be on every platform. Pick the one or two where your customers actually spend time, keep a professional profile with a link back to your website, and post regularly. Social is for discovery and trust; your website is where the sale happens.
Collect reviews from day one
People trust other customers more than they trust your marketing. Make it a habit to ask for a Google review after every job or sale, keep it easy with a direct link, and reply to every review, good or bad. Reviews lift both your ranking and your conversion rate.
A tip: start before you open
The best new businesses begin marketing 60 to 90 days before launch. Set up your Google Business Profile as “coming soon”, build your social accounts and post behind-the-scenes content, get a simple website live, and run a soft launch for invited guests to seed your first reviews and posts before opening day.
Eligible SMEs can offset up to 50% of the cost of a website and digital marketing through the PSG grant, which makes all of this far more affordable early on.
Your quick start-up checklist
- Business idea and simple plan
- Chosen business structure
- Name reserved and registered on BizFile+
- Licences and permits (if needed)
- Corporate bank account
- Accounting and GST awareness
- A one-line value proposition
- A professional website
- A complete Google Business Profile
- SEO, content and one social channel to get found
- A simple review request after every sale
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a business in Singapore?
Name reservation is around S$15, with registration fees on top depending on the structure. A sole proprietorship is cheapest; a Pte Ltd costs a little more but offers more protection.
How long does it take to register a business?
Simple registrations can be approved within a day or two once your information and any required approvals are ready.
Do I need a website to start a business in Singapore?
Legally no, but practically yes. Most customers check online before they buy, so a website and Google Business Profile are how you turn a registered business into one that gets found and trusted.
Can I get a grant to help set up my business online?
Eligible Singapore SMEs can receive up to 50% support for a website and qualifying digital marketing through the PSG grant.
Ready to get your business online?
Registration gets you started; being found gets you customers. If you want a website that builds trust and brings in enquiries from day one, talk to MediaPlus Digital. We help new Singapore businesses get online with web design and SEO, with PSG support for eligible SMEs.
