Forming an LLC sounds intimidating until you actually walk through the steps, and with a service built around speed, most of the work takes minutes rather than days. I run Ecommerce Paradise, where I teach high-ticket dropshipping, and getting your LLC in place correctly the first time saves you from cleanup work later when a supplier or bank asks for documentation you don’t have yet.
Here is exactly how to form an LLC with Swyft Filings, step by step.
| Step | What You’re Doing | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your state and business name | 15-30 minutes |
| 2 | Select your package tier | 5 minutes |
| 3 | Complete checkout carefully | 10-15 minutes |
| 4 | Wait for state processing | Same day to 2 weeks |
| 5 | Get your EIN | Same day to a few weeks |
| 6 | Open your business bank account | 1-2 days |
Not sure Swyft Filings is the right fit yet? Read my full Swyft Filings review first →
Step 1: Choose Your State and Business Name
Most ecommerce sellers should form their LLC in the state where they actually live and do business, since forming out of state usually just adds a second layer of registered agent and reporting requirements without a real tax benefit for a typical online store. Once you know your state, run your desired business name through Swyft Filings’ name availability check to confirm it isn’t already taken.
Step 2: Select Your Package Tier
Swyft Filings offers three tiers: Basic at $0 plus state fees, Standard at $199 plus state fees, and Premium at $299 plus state fees. Basic only covers the name check and Articles of Organization filing, so you’ll handle your operating agreement and EIN separately. Standard adds the operating agreement, banking resolution, and EIN assistance, which is enough for most sellers to be fully operational. Premium adds same-business-day filing plus the document template library, which matters if you’re racing a supplier deadline.
Step 3: Complete Checkout Carefully
This is the step where most complaints against Swyft Filings originate. The checkout flow includes several add-on screens for things like expedited processing, registered agent service, and the ComplianceGuard subscription. Read every screen before clicking through, and actively uncheck anything you don’t want rather than assuming it’s off by default. Review your final order summary before submitting payment.
Step 4: Wait for State Processing
Swyft’s own processing speed is only half the timeline. Once your order is submitted, your state’s own office still has to process the filing, and that varies enormously. States like Delaware and Nevada often move within a day or two, while states like California and New York can take one to two weeks even on expedited orders during busy filing periods. Premium tier moves your order to the front of Swyft’s internal queue the same day, but it can’t override your state’s own backlog.
Step 5: Get Your EIN
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is what a bank, payment processor, and most wholesale suppliers will ask for before they’ll do business with you. Standard and Premium tiers include EIN assistance as part of the package. If you’re a non-US resident forming an LLC to run a US-based store, this step takes longer since the standard instant online EIN application requires a Social Security Number, and international founders go through a paper or fax application instead.
Step 6: Open Your Business Bank Account
Once your LLC is filed and your EIN is in hand, take your formation documents and EIN confirmation letter to open a dedicated business bank account. Keeping business and personal finances separate is what actually protects your personal assets under the LLC structure, and it’s also what most wholesale suppliers and payment processors expect to see before they’ll approve your account. According to Forbes Advisor’s review of Swyft Filings, having your formation paperwork and EIN ready before applying for a business account is one of the most common points where new sellers get stuck.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is rushing through checkout and ending up with an unwanted ComplianceGuard subscription or add-on, which is the single largest source of complaints against Swyft Filings on the Better Business Bureau. The second most common mistake is picking Basic tier and then forgetting to handle the operating agreement and EIN application yourself, which delays opening a bank account by weeks. The third is not budgeting for your state’s separate filing fee, which ranges from around $50 in states like Kentucky up to $500 in Massachusetts and isn’t included in Swyft’s package price.
Forming Your LLC Alongside Your Broader Store Setup
Business formation is one piece of getting your store operational. Once your LLC and EIN are in place, you can move on to choosing your niche and applying to wholesale supplier accounts, most of which specifically require a registered business entity before they’ll open an account. For the complete legal and financial checklist beyond just the LLC filing, see my business formation guide.
Budgeting the Formation Process Into Your Startup Costs
Beyond your Swyft Filings package price, budget for your state’s filing fee, any registered agent renewal starting year two, and the ComplianceGuard subscription if you decide to keep it past the free trial. According to Shopify’s guide to starting an online business, treating business formation as a one-time startup investment rather than an afterthought consistently correlates with fewer compliance headaches down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to form an LLC with Swyft Filings?
Swyft processes Premium orders the same business day, but your total timeline depends on your state’s own processing speed, which ranges from a day or two in fast states to one to two weeks in slower ones.
Do I need the Premium tier to get my EIN?
No, EIN assistance is included on both Standard and Premium. Basic tier requires you to apply for your EIN separately.
Can I form an LLC with Swyft Filings if I don’t live in the US?
Yes. LLC ownership doesn’t require US citizenship or residency, though non-US founders go through a longer paper or fax EIN application instead of the instant online option.
What’s the biggest mistake to avoid during checkout?
Rushing through the add-on screens without reading them. Unwanted charges from pre-selected add-ons are the top source of complaints against the company.
Do I still need a registered agent if I use Swyft Filings?
Yes, every LLC needs a registered agent. Swyft includes it in Standard and Premium packages, or you can add it standalone for $149 a year.
Want help getting your entire store set up correctly from day one? See how my done-for-you store build service works →
Or grab my free beginner’s guide to see how business formation fits into a complete high-ticket dropshipping system.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
Still deciding what to sell?
Grab the free list of 1,000+ niches that work for high-ticket dropshipping, sorted by category.
Free. Unsubscribe any time.
