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Rachel Williams

Lead Editor, SMB

Small Business Formation, LLCs, Registered Agents, Business Licenses, DBAs

About

Rachel Williams has been an editor for nearly two decades. She has spent the last five years working on small business content to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. She’s well-versed in the intricacies of LLC formation, business taxes, business loans, registered agents, business licenses and more.

Rachel Williams is a small business editor at Forbes Advisor, bringing nearly two decades of professional editing experience to her role. Over the last five years, she has focused on small business content, helping entrepreneurs start, manage and grow their businesses. Before joining Forbes Advisor, Rachel refined her expertise by editing small business content for Incfile/Bizee, working at a digital marketing agency, serving as an editor at a book publisher and spending eight years writing and editing HR and job-search content for FlexJobs.

At Forbes Advisor, Rachel ensures small business articles are accurate, clear and helpful to readers. Her expertise spans forming LLCs, LLC service providers, registered agents, business licenses and strategies for growth. She collaborates with writers to simplify complex topics and empower readers with practical, reliable information.

Rachel’s extensive experience gives her a deep understanding of starting a business and navigating the legalities of business formation. Beyond these areas, she provides insights on software recommendations, operational strategies and actionable advice for entrepreneurs. Driven by a passion for helping small business owners succeed, Rachel’s work equips readers with the tools and confidence to achieve their goals.

Expertise

  • Small Business Formation
  • LLCs
  • Registered Agents
  • Business Licenses
  • DBAs

Other Publications

FlexJobs

Education

  • Judson University (B.A., Communications)
  • 7 Best Payroll Services For Small Business Of 2025

    The best payroll software reduces the time and effort required for a business to run its payroll at a price that won’t break its budget. Companies can choose to purchase payroll software that they operate and manage themselves, or spend...
    7 Best Payroll Services For Small Business Of 2025
  • eSmart Paycheck Review 2025: Features, Pros And Cons

    Despite a look and feel that’s straight out of the era of the first Obama administration, eSmart Paycheck could be the payroll processing solution your very small business has been looking for. This is especially true if you prefer to...
    eSmart Paycheck Review 2025: Features, Pros And Cons
  • Google Sites Vs. Wix (2025 Comparison)

    Google Sites vs. Wix is more nuanced than it seems on the surface. Yes, Google Sites is a very simplistic website builder compared to Wix, but that’s not always a bad thing. Which website builder is best for you really...
    Google Sites Vs. Wix (2025 Comparison)
  • Smartsheet Vs. Wrike (2025 Comparison)

    If you’re looking for project management software and can’t decide between Smartsheet and Wrike, you’re in the right place. Below, I’ll compare both platforms and explain what makes each stand out. Muddying the waters is that both platforms rank well...
    Smartsheet Vs. Wrike (2025 Comparison)
  • Hive Review 2025: Pricing, Pros And Cons

    Hive is a nicely designed project management platform for teams using traditional methodologies or Agile frameworks. I found Hive easy to use and appreciate the number of project and task management views, collaborative notes and instant messenger. Hive also has...
    Hive Review 2025: Pricing, Pros And Cons
  • 10 Best Payroll Services For Small Business Of 2025

    Our top picks as the best payroll services for small businesses offer companies more payroll options than Baskin-Robbins has flavors. After putting the 10 products through two rounds of evaluations and hands-on testing, we identify the one characteristic that sets...
    10 Best Payroll Services For Small Business Of 2025
  • Best Business Software Of 2025

    If you’re ready to up your SMB software game to streamline operations, enhance productivity, generate more leads and manage projects like a champ, you’re in the right place. We’ll share the best project management software, VPN, payroll and HR platforms,...
    Best Business Software Of 2025
  • Best Mailchimp Alternatives Of 2025

    Mailchimp is one of today’s most popular email marketing platforms, with user-friendly setup tools for emails, webpages and triggered outbound workflows. However, Mailchimp has a few shortcomings: it lacks a free plan, costs more than some alternatives and limits users...
    Best Mailchimp Alternatives Of 2025
  • 5 Best Restaurant POS Systems Of 2025

    Running a restaurant is no small feat. There's a lot to juggle between managing tables, coordinating the kitchen and keeping customers happy. That’s where a great POS (point-of-sale) system comes in. The right restaurant POS doesn’t just process payments—it streamlines...
    5 Best Restaurant POS Systems Of 2025
  • Best Stripe Alternatives Of 2025

    Stripe is a powerhouse in the payment processing world, but it’s not always the best fit for every business. Maybe you need a solution that’s easier to use, offers more robust customer support or provides better value for high transaction...
    Best Stripe Alternatives Of 2025
  • 8 Best Nanny Payroll Services Of 2025

    If you’re looking for payroll software to pay your nanny or other household employees, look no further. We reviewed 37 payroll software companies to find those that offer the best solution for household employee payroll and found Nest Payroll and...
    8 Best Nanny Payroll Services Of 2025
  • 5 Best Social Media Management Tools Of 2025

    Finding the best tools for social media managers isn’t always easy. Every social media management platform focuses on different aspects of posting, approval management and engagement. Throw in drastically different pricing, and it becomes a monumental task to pick the...
    5 Best Social Media Management Tools Of 2025
  • 9 Best WordPress Hosting Services Of 2025

    Nearly 44% of websites are powered by WordPress, making it the world's most popular content management system. Reliable hosting is essential for these websites to function and help businesses grow. We researched the best WordPress hosting services available today and...
    9 Best WordPress Hosting Services Of 2025
  • 10 Best Web Hosting Services Of 2025

    A website is the primary way people find information about your products, hours and location and is the main sales channel for e-commerce businesses. A great web host is needed to keep your website online 24/7 without significant downtime. With...
    10 Best Web Hosting Services Of 2025
  • Best Ohio LLC Services In 2025

    The business type of choice for many startups is a limited liability company (LLC), which offers small business owners greater financial protection, tax advantages and flexibility in ownership and management. However, the most difficult aspect of forming an LLC in...
    Best Ohio LLC Services In 2025
  • 8 Best VPS Hosting Services Of 2025

    Finding a web hosting service that works for your small business is an important consideration. There are a slew of options available—from the cost-effective shared hosting plans to the more individualized dedicated hosting and even cloud hosting services. But for...
    8 Best VPS Hosting Services Of 2025
  • Best Oregon LLC Services In 2025

    Selecting the best Oregon limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you require...
    Best Oregon LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Oklahoma LLC Services In 2025

    The business type of choice for many startups is a limited liability company (LLC), which gives small business owners greater financial protection, tax advantages and flexibility in ownership and management. However, the most difficult aspect of forming an LLC in...
    Best Oklahoma LLC Services In 2025
  • Best South Carolina LLC Services In 2025

    Selecting the best South Carolina limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you...
    Best South Carolina LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Rhode Island LLC Services In 2025

    Finding the best Rhode Island limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you...
    Best Rhode Island LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Utah LLC Services In 2025

    Selecting the best Utah limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you require...
    Best Utah LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Tennessee LLC Services In 2025

    When you’re looking to start a limited liability company (LLC) in Tennessee, one option you have is to use an LLC service. These services are designed to simplify the process of setting up your new LLC and filing the necessary...
    Best Tennessee LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Minnesota LLC Services In 2025

    When you’re looking to set up a limited liability company (LLC) in Minnesota, one option you have is to use an LLC service. These services are designed to simplify the process of setting up your new LLC and filing the...
    Best Minnesota LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Missouri LLC Services In 2025

    Setting up a limited liability company (LLC) in Missouri can be a cumbersome process, but the best Missouri LLC services will guide you through the entire process to ensure that your application and all required paperwork are filed with the...
    Best Missouri LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Virginia LLC Services In 2025

    When you’re looking to set up a limited liability company (LLC) in Virginia, one option you have is to use an LLC service. These services are designed to simplify the process of setting up your new LLC and filing the...
    Best Virginia LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Mississippi LLC Services In 2025

    A limited liability company (LLC) offers unique advantages for business owners such as personal liability protection and streamlined tax filing. If you want to start an LLC in Mississippi, you will have to file your certificate of formation with the...
    Best Mississippi LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Wisconsin LLC Services In 2025

    Finding the best Wisconsin limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you require...
    Best Wisconsin LLC Services In 2025
  • Best West Virginia LLC Services In 2025

    The business type of choice for many startups is a limited liability company (LLC), which offers small business owners greater financial protection, tax advantages and flexibility in ownership and management. However, the most difficult aspect of forming an LLC in...
    Best West Virginia LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Washington LLC Services In 2025

    Setting up a limited liability company (LLC) in Washington can be a complex process, but the best Washington LLC services will guide you through the entire process to ensure that your application and all required paperwork are filed with the...
    Best Washington LLC Services In 2025
  • Best Nebraska LLC Services In 2025

    Selecting the best Nebraska limited liability company (LLC) service in 2025 will mean determining the requirements of the state and your own business to ensure you find a provider that offers all the services you need. Consider whether you require...
    Best Nebraska LLC Services In 2025

About

Rachel Williams has been an editor for nearly two decades. She has spent the last five years working on small business content to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. She’s well-versed in the intricacies of LLC formation, business taxes, business loans, registered agents, business licenses and more.