Should I form an LLC or a corporation?

It depends on how you will be taxed, whether you plan to raise outside capital, and how many owners there are. An LLC is simpler to maintain; a corporation is what most investors expect. A 20-minute call will narrow it down.

What does it cost to form a business in California?

Volo Law Group charges a $700 flat fee to form an S-Corp, LLC, or partnership. Separately, the state charges its own filing fees, and most entities owe an annual minimum franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board.

Can I just use an online filing service?

You can file the paperwork that way. What you do not get is advice on entity choice or tax treatment, an operating agreement written for your actual ownership split, or anyone to call when a partner wants out.

Do I need an operating agreement if I am the only owner?

Yes. A single-member LLC without one is easier for an opposing party to argue is not a real, separate entity — which is the whole point of forming it.