Jake Lawson here. If you’re wondering how I keep the lights on while giving away detailed LLC formation guides for free, this page has your answers. No corporate speak, no fine print tricks—just the straight truth about how llciyo.com operates.
The Bottom Line Up Front
I run llciyo.com the same way I’d run any business I’m proud of: with complete transparency. You deserve to know exactly how I make money from this site, especially since you’re trusting me to help you make important business decisions.
Here’s the deal: I make money through affiliate partnerships with LLC formation companies. When you click certain links and purchase services, I earn a commission. You don’t pay extra—in fact, I often negotiate discounts for my readers.
But here’s what makes this different from other “review” sites: I only recommend services I’ve personally tested and would use for my own business.
My Business Philosophy
After 15+ years in the business formation industry, I’ve seen every trick in the book. The internet is cluttered with fake reviews, paid placements disguised as advice, and “comparison” sites that just funnel you to whoever pays the highest commission.
I started llciyo.com to be different. My goal isn’t to maximize commissions—it’s to give you the information you need to make smart LLC formation decisions.
My core principle: Every recommendation I make is something I’d confidently tell my own family to use.
How I Actually Make Money
Let me break down the revenue model with zero fluff:
Affiliate Commissions (Primary Revenue)
When you click links to LLC formation services on my site and make a purchase, I earn a commission. This includes companies like:
- ZenBusiness
- LegalZoom
- Northwest Registered Agent
- Incfile (now part of LegalZoom)
- And others I’ve thoroughly vetted
Important: These commissions don’t increase your costs. The companies pay me from their existing budgets, not by charging you extra.
What I Don’t Do (And Why That Matters)
- No pay-for-placement: Companies can’t buy their way to the top of my recommendations
- No fake reviews: Every review reflects my genuine experience with the service
- No hidden sponsorships: If content is sponsored, I clearly label it as such
- No data selling: I don’t sell your information to third parties
My Review Process: How I Test These Services
Here’s exactly how I evaluate every LLC formation service before recommending it:
Step 1: Anonymous Research
I start by researching each company as if I’m a regular customer:
- Analyzing their pricing and what’s actually included
- Reading their terms of service and refund policies
- Checking their Better Business Bureau ratings
- Reviewing real customer complaints and feedback
Step 2: Mystery Shopping
I contact their customer service anonymously and ask:
- Basic questions (to test friendliness and patience)
- Complex scenarios (to test knowledge)
- Questions about upsells and additional fees
Red flag test: If their reps try to oversell or provide inaccurate information, they’re out.
Step 3: Purchasing the Service
I actually buy their services using my own money, going through the exact same process you would:
- Forming test LLCs in various states
- Evaluating the user experience
- Testing their customer support quality
- Measuring delivery times and accuracy
Step 4: Long-Term Evaluation
I don’t just review the initial formation process. I evaluate:
- Ongoing customer service quality
- How they handle problems and complaints
- Whether they honor their promises over time
- How they treat customers after the sale
The result: Only companies that pass all these tests earn my recommendation.
Why This Model Works for You
Traditional business magazines and websites often charge companies for reviews or “sponsored content.” That creates obvious conflicts of interest.
My affiliate model aligns my interests with yours:
- I only get paid when you’re satisfied (refunds mean I lose my commission)
- My reputation depends on good recommendations (bad advice kills my credibility)
- I negotiate better deals for my readers (happy customers mean repeat business)
Examples of Money I’ve Left on the Table
To prove I’m not just chasing the highest commissions, here are real examples of offers I’ve turned down:
- A formation service offered me 3x my current commission rate, but their customer service was terrible
- A registered agent company wanted to pay for a “sponsored review,” but their pricing was inflated
- Multiple companies have offered cash bonuses for top placement, which I decline
Why I say no: My long-term reputation is worth more than any short-term commission boost.
How I Handle Conflicts of Interest
I’m not perfect, and I recognize that affiliate relationships can create bias. Here’s how I address that:
Editorial Independence
- My content team writes reviews based on our testing, not commission rates
- I regularly review and update recommendations as services change
- I remove or downgrade services that decline in quality
Transparent Disclosure
- Every affiliate link is clearly marked
- I disclose relationships at the top of relevant articles
- I explain when I have financial relationships with recommended companies
Regular Audits
- I periodically review my recommendations against current market options
- I test competitors to ensure my recommendations remain the best choices
- I update my guidance when better services become available
What About Services I Don’t Recommend?
Just as important as what I recommend is what I don’t. I regularly test services that don’t make my recommended list because:
- Poor customer service
- Hidden fees or misleading pricing
- Inadequate service delivery
- Questionable business practices
I maintain detailed notes on these companies and will share honest feedback when asked.
The Services I Use Personally
Want to know what I really think? Here are the services I actually use for my own business needs:
- Formation: [I rotate between my top recommendations to stay current]
- Registered Agent: Northwest Registered Agent (for consistency and reliability)
- Banking: Varies by state and business needs
- Accounting: Local CPA for complex matters, QuickBooks for day-to-day
Reader Questions About My Business Model
“Don’t affiliate commissions make your reviews biased?”
They can, which is why I’ve built safeguards into my process. I test everything personally, I don’t accept pay-for-placement, and my reputation depends on giving accurate advice.
“Why not just charge for your content instead?”
I considered this model, but decided free access serves more entrepreneurs. Many people starting LLCs are bootstrapping and need reliable information without additional costs.
“How do I know if a link is an affiliate link?”
I mark affiliate links with clear disclosure language. When in doubt, assume any link to a paid service is an affiliate link.
“Do you recommend the highest-commission services?”
Absolutely not. I often recommend services with lower commissions because they provide better value or service quality.
My Commitment to You
Here’s my pledge as the voice of llciyo.com:
- I’ll never recommend a service I wouldn’t use myself
- I’ll clearly disclose all financial relationships
- I’ll update recommendations when services change
- I’ll prioritize your success over my commissions
- I’ll continue providing valuable content regardless of affiliate income
Changes to This Disclosure
As my business evolves, I may update this disclosure. When I do, I’ll note the changes and explain why I made them.
Last updated: August 2025
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions about my business model, specific recommendations, or anything else about how llciyo.com operates, I’m always available to discuss.
The LLC formation industry has plenty of questionable players. My goal is to be the opposite—completely transparent, genuinely helpful, and worthy of your trust.
Remember: Your success is my success. When you make smart LLC formation decisions based on my guidance, you’re more likely to recommend llciyo.com to other entrepreneurs. That’s the kind of business growth I want—earned through value, not tricks.
Jake Lawson Founder & Chief LLC Strategist, llciyo.com
P.S. If you ever feel I’ve recommended a service that didn’t meet expectations, please let me know. I take that feedback seriously and use it to improve my evaluation process.